Henry Boons, Wakefield

Three ales on the go - Clarks Mild, Blonde (it's the tap for the brewery situated directly behind) and TT Landlord. I tried both the Clarks and was impressed with the Blonde, the Mild less so (still drinkable though, though a bit cold) – both were cheap as chips, so no complaints about the pricing. The interior is a sort of L-shape with a function room running off the right hand end (there was a wedding reception on when I went in). There's a decent attempt at creating some nice individual drinking areas, with wood panelling, stone flooring and nik-naks thrown together (the bar has an overhang which is thatched) and it just about works. There was a TV with the horses on that one old boy was avidly following, along with pool and live music nights advertised. Perhaps my main gripe would be that on the grey, miserable day I popped in the outside awnings were pulled all the way, blocking much of what little natural light there was, making the place seem rather unwelcoming. Overall not bad at all, I'd say it's worth a visit if you're in the town but it isn't necessarily worth the journey if you're happy in the Fernandes, for example. Don't let the WF2 postcode put you off, it isn't far from the town centre.

I still can’t cross the threshold of Boon’s without shuddering slightly, remembering its previous incarnation as the worst curry-house in Wakefield, a place so knowingly awful it made customers pay for their meals before the food arrived! However, in the early nineteen eighties it returned to being a pub once more and became the brewery tap for Clark’s Brewery, just to the rear. Situated on the main drag running through the city centre, it’s housed in an attractive brick building complete with old style corner entrance. Internally, it’s an extended L-shape, with a partitioned main room and a second ‘courtyard’ space used as a function room and to house bands on the local gig scene. (Local theatre groups use a room on the first floor). In the main room, there’s no denying that the incongruous thatched bar canopy is the most striking feature. It does have a certain cocktail bar tackiness, but it’s been there so long I can’t imagine Boon’s without it. The interior as a whole does feel quite dark and is composed of a mish-mash of styles, united by lots of breweriana, particularly on the high shelves. The area to the left of the bar is quite ornate and almost has a late Victorian feel with its brewery wall mirrors and fantastic old range, made by Bunker’s of Manchester. Unfortunately, the Budweiser logo-ed pool table lights and the overhead TV spoil the effect. To the right of the bar, it is partitioned into four areas, the last being elevated and featuring a drop down screen for televised sporting events. The function room beyond has a vaulted ceiling, lots of exposed brickwork and its own stage and bar. Unfortunately, the large hop sacks, as part of yet more breweriana, do give the courtyard a slightly off-putting musty smell. There are usually five real ales on the go. Clark’s own ‘Classic Blonde’ and ‘Westgate Gold’ are pretty much permanent fixtures along with two out of three from Ossett ‘Silver King’, ‘Pale Gold’ and ‘Big Red’. The fifth pump usually features a guest ale from further afield. It’s fair to say that quality has been a bit erratic down the years, hence the pub has dipped in and out of the Good Beer Guide. (An entry for 2009, but not 2010.) However, I have to say on my last few visits it’s been pretty good. Currently, there is Cask Marque accreditation until the end of the year. On this visit both the Clark’s Freedom Ale and Westgate Gold were in good nick and a very reasonable £1.78. The barmaid who served me was friendly and chatty, offering to top up my pint without asking. During the day, trade is fairly quiet, but usually includes several groups of wardens, from the nearby high security jail, winding down after a shift. (God knows what the smell of brewing does to the inmates, if the wind’s blowing in a certain direction!) As the pub is on the ‘Westgate Run’ it gets a lot busier at night, particularly at weekends. Boon’s is very close to Westgate station and one of the few decent pubs open during the day, so it’s a good starting point for a crawl in the city. Well worth a visit.

Situated near Westgate station, the pub name conjures up images of a Wetherspoons or even an American theme bar but Henry Boon Clark after whom the pub is now named was initially a Kent Brewer who set up Clarks Brewery in Wakefield when he moved to the area around 1905. The pub was originally called the Green Dragon and was the Brewery's first tied house. The pub has a knocked through L-shaped interior but is a little contrived with its thatched bar canopy and pillared shelving containing various brewery relics including innumerate beer barrels among other trinkets and collectables. There are a few intimate sections tucked behind wall remnants and pillars plus a few original features such as the marble fireplaces. One end contains a pool table that sadly blocks out an old Victorian range and at the other there is a big screen to supplement the normal TV’s largely used for sports coverage (rugby seems to take preference to footy in these parts). The (I think) 5 hand pumps are not limited to Clarks beers but also include a range of other Yorkshire ales from the likes of Ossett, Timothy Taylor, Brew Company (Sheffield) and also one from Burton Bridge on my visit. Quality was fine and the place seemed a friendly and efficient set up but it probably wouldn’t have a universal appeal beyond its regulars and beer tourists. Being of the latter persuasion, I found it to be a more than worthy stop off and would certainly include it in any future trips to the area.

Clarks, TT's and guests on hand pull. Clarks Brewery is behind the pub, and Westgate Station is just a few yards away as is the prison. #GBG 2008 listed#