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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by peter ashworth
Submitted on Thursday, 6th April 2017
With picture contributions to 26844 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Factory Tap, Kendal
Kendal
LA9 7DE
Served areas
Reviews of The Factory Tap (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Factory Tap
This is a compact, modern bar set in an interesting old mill house building that now borders a small industrial estate. You enter into a bare boarded main bar area with the servery immediately to the right and a small, but cosy seating area opposite. The bar has a chunky, white wood panelled counter and cramped bar back that has been squeezed beneath a staircase. Banquette seating runs along the front and left-hand walls, with tub chairs in support and a rustic looking high table and stools on the back wall. Exposed stone walls and lots of modern beams crossing the ceiling, give the room some character, having been retained as original features. Decor is limited to a couple of old paintings, some blackboards and an unused TV screen, but it's worrh noting the nice stained glass pane above a back door that leads out to a rear, patio beer garden, with another such patio area also available out the front. The window sills are full of antique tat such as a carpet beater, an old radio, large vases and jugs, various lamps and so on. Stairs to the side of the bar lead up to an unexplored first floor seating area, which must be a decent size judging by the number of people heading up there.
I was surprised to find no less than six operational handpulls, dotted around the curved bar counter, offering a choice between Handsome Blonde and Blacksmith, Abbeydale Heathen, Castle Eden Bitter, Fyne Ales Jarl and one other that I failed to note. Service was prompt and friendly and my pint of the Blacksmith was in great shape and slipped down very nicely.
On approach, I wasn't too sure what to make of this place, but it turned out to be a pretty good pub, with a pleasant interior making good use of an attractive old building, some excellent ale on the bar and friendly service. It's clearly popular with the locals and was a real highlight of my time in Kendal.
Date of visit - 14th January 2024
On 7th April 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Ian Mapp left this review about The Factory Tap
Lovely Tap Room of (as far as I can tell) no particular brewery.
Seemed to split over two floors, with a mezzanine upstairs investigated. Downstairs brightly lit with a pubby feel.
Great beer choice and although our first round contained Fyne Jarl that was at the end of the barrel, those in our party that stuck with it were rewarded with a perfect representation.
It was a wrench to get my colleagues to leave, but there was much to explore in town for first time visitors.
On 27th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Factory Tap
No longer the brewery tap for Bowness Bay, which is now next door at the Barrel House, this is a proper pub that now features mostly local beers from the likes of Gan Yam, Fell and Handsome, with one interloper in the shape of Fyne Jarl when I was here last week. The beers I tried were in very good condition, with Fell Crag being the best I've ever had of this bitter (NBSS 4) and even the taster of Gan Yam Ken, a Kendal Mint Cake stout (which I only tasted out of politeness), was in great nick despite being pretty disgusting. Service was friendly and welcoming - if you're in a pub in the centre of town this one is well worth the short walk and dodging the traffic to reach.
On 13th February 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
View more reviews of The Factory Tap (4)
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- Official site of The Factory Tap - thefactorytap.co.uk
- Official site of The Factory Tap - whatpub.com
- Facebook - The Factory Tap
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Factory Tap - whatpub.com
Oxenholme Lake District, 1.88 miles, 36 min walk (show)
Burneside (Cumbria), 2.72 miles, 52 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : Yes last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Darts : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Function Room : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Jukebox : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Live Music : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Micropub : No last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- Pinball : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 19 June 2016 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 07 April 2024 by Pub SignMan
