The Gundog, Halifax

This pub closed at the end of May See Facebook page. It was closed on our recent visit to Halifax

The first thing I noticed as I approached this place was the union flag on a diagonal pole just above the door. Why? It's a pub not the local Town Hall! Inside it's a multi-room pub with mosaic tiles around the bar, a room to the left and two to the right. The room to the left contained an old bar billiards table but I'm not sure if it was usable. The room to the right of the bar was empty and had a giant screen with nobody watching the boring sport being shown. The other room on the right by the front entrance was quiet and also empty as all the punters present were hogging the bar on stools so I had no chance of seeing all the beers available. I could see that there were six hand pumps and that one was unused. I went for a Bootleg Black Market Mild (£2.40) which was excellent and a very good price. This is a nice old pub but the bar stools and giant TV screen are a pain.

Much altered since my last review when it was The Sportsman. The Edwardian frontage now leads into a pub that at least partially matches the exterior. The front room to the right has leaded windows and really looks the part. The staircase is now a major feature of the pub and the floor tiling which was hidden before, now looks great. A real transformation for the better. 6 handpumps on the bar of which 3 were on all serving Stod Fold beers. My Stod Fold Dark was in very good nick. Another surprise for me was that the landlady, Sharon, used to be a regular in the same pub as me in Rochdale many years ago. In fact her sister went out with a good friend of mine. She even remembered my name, which was a bit embarrassing as I couldn't remember hers. Ooops! Anyway, it's a refurbishment done very well and I wish her all the best. I'll definitely call in next time I'm in Halifax.