The Bull, Berkhamsted

Official site of The Bull - thebullberkhamsted.co.uk

Official site of The Bull - thebullberkhamsted.co.uk

Originally a small pub at the southern end of the High Street,there has been a large temporary structure added at the rear,no doubt in Covid times. The pub itself has quite a low ceiling,is L shaped and nicely traditional inside.The rear door leads to a covered veranda on three levels with a mix of furniture and even a flatscreen in the first section.There are then pic nic benches,a long car park and then a charming canalside beer garden where drinks can be delivered using a smart phone. The interior will also screen all variety of football matches,and there is a very popular Wednesday quiz with tables booked accordingly.The food offering is seafood,which smelt great and there is a Football Night special of a drink and meal for £10. The friendly and enthusiastic team here have created a great pub,buzzy and lively and clearly money has been spent on the premises without selling out to a corporate image,it's still a boozer. On a busy quiz night just two ales on,so that is probably the max,with Tring Sidepocket and Fanny Ebbs (NBSS 3) a pleasing duo. Well worth a visit when in town.

L-shaped pub/gastropub on Berkhamsted's High Street. When we visited shortly after opening on a weekday afternoon, it had more of the feel of a proper drinking pub than a gastropub. TV's were showing a sports news channel and there were more real ales on than I was expecting. Tring Side Pocket For A Toad is the regular beer. Guests were Tring Bring Me Sunshine & Leighton Buzzard Restoration. As the previous reviewer states, this pub can be found in the 2022 Good Beer Guide, one of only two in the town. Beer quality was as should be expected.

Nowadays mostly a dining pub (with a menu ranging from takeaway fish and chips to Mersea oysters with champagne), with the tables in the front part of the 'L-shaped' bar laid up for those planning to eat. However, as well as the smaller side branch, there is more general seating available on a covered terrace at the back and a beer garden down by the canal beyond the car park. Also has a fortnightly charity pub quiz / curry night. With just two of the four handpumps in use, I found a couple of Tring beers: Side Pocket and the seasonal Nosebag (£4.20, and in great shape, as you would expect from a GBG establishment).