Canal Tavern, Doncaster

Near the canal as the name suggests but I’m afraid there’s no delightful canal side garden just rough ground used as a car park and the entrance to a scruffy boatyard. The front offers views to a concrete road bridge. Nonetheless it’s a popular Saturday lunchtime place for pensioners and families. There’s a dining area at the back and some more publike seating areas in front and to the side of the counter. Three pulls with Taylors Boltmaker and Hobgoblin Gold, also a selection of usual and unusual kegs plus an odd bubbling Corona fount with its own limes holder. I had a pretty mediocre Taylor’s Boltmaker. However the staff were competent and coping well with the hordes. Lots of silverware in a cabinet, an unusual golf trophy, a telly showing rugby league and a juke box caught my eye. Traditional decor and furnishings.

Official site of Canal Tavern - www.canaltavernthorne.co.uk

Official site of Canal Tavern - www.canaltavernthorne.co.uk

Visited the other day. Three hand pulls at the bar, one of these was labelled as "conditioning" but unfortunately without giving away what may be coming on next. The other two were Old Peculiar and Boltmaker. The Boltmaker was £1.60 for a half. As you enter the pub the island bar is in front of you. There are some leather chairs along with traditional banquette seating, copper topped tables and low stools. There are steps down to the dining area with wooden tables and chairs. At the time of my midweek visit around 3pm there were a few locals chatting round the bar and a table had just finished dining. Not the most exciting beer selection but overall it's a nice pub I felt able to relax in. Service was friendly too.

Canal side location with a food offering. Car parking available near by. Pub under the road overbridge. Note: There is a lifting footbridge over the cut at this point.

Canal side location with a food offering. Car parking available near by. Pub under the road overbridge. Note: There is a lifting footbridge over the cut at this point.