Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

Now reopened by Kirkstall Brewery. Details here: https://leedscitymagazine.co.uk/the-tetley-revival-leeds-local-brewing-pride-heritage-vibrant-future/

The Bruce Arms is now permanently closed and that’s why the Bruce Arms sign has been removed.

Originally visited on 22/09/2021 and revisited tonight as a result of delayed train back to Lewes. This is a a lovely small station station bar, indeed I can’t think of a better example of this type of venue.

On my quick visit there didn’t seem to be any cask options but plenty of decent local craft beer options. Probably a 5 on that basis for current basis but was v impressed on previous visit so giving the benefit of the doubt as a 6. Independent of that I can’t think of many station places where I have had to wait for a delayed train that offers any decent quaffing options so this is a luxury on that view almost independent of the beer choices.

Two room local (lounge and bar), fairly well kept from a 70’s refit (arched knock-through, modern black beams, solid-looking wooden servery upper and lower). Darts and football are the order of the day. Just Doom Bar on cask which was cheap and mildly palatable (NBSS 2.5). A sign outside claims there’s a theatre somewhere inside. Had a bit of character and life inside – a shame they don’t make more of an effort with the beer. Whilst the cask quality in RWB is pretty ropey bar the Bells the pubs themselves are of a decent standard, at least. 5.5

It was raucous in the Castle during a recent Wednesday late afternoon visit, in fact it felt a bit like a Friday evening with people dancing around to the 2 tone music in the background. The entrance leads to a beer shelf with stools that runs along the right-hand wall. This is where I drank my half away from the excitement. At the front of the pub is a dartboard with its oche running across the front windows. Tables run up the centre of the pub from front to back where banquettes sit under a rear window. Televisions throughout were airing muted Sky Sports News and in the left front is a pool room. The barmaid was polite, but only standard keg and Madri were available on draught. A sign in the door states that this pub is now over 21s due to antisocial behaviour, which isn’t surprising as many of the customers looked as though they’d been in here since lunchtime. A poor pub not worth a visit.