Strafford Arms, Wakefield

Unremarkable medium-sized, city centre pub, all very box like in feel. Situated just opposite the recently rejuvenated Bull Ring area. It’s had rather a chequered history over the years, opening and folding again at regular intervals. After yet another refurb I called in to see what the latest incarnation had to offer. To be fair it looks as though a fair amount has been spent on it. Walls are covered in various heavy wallpaper prints and the fittings are half decent. The floor space is mostly carpeted apart from some older looking tiling round the ornate central bar (although I suspect it’s not original). There are a number of booths to the right and a small raised area next to them (possibly a legacy of the pub’s reputation for live music-which seems to have been put on hold, if the lack of promotional material is anything to go by.) Also, some traditional round tables and benches around the perimeter of the room. However, most of the floor space is kept clear, which is hardly surprising, as the place screams VDE (vertical drinking establishment). Accordingly, there are only T-font beers available at the bar. I tried the Guinness, which was very average, but the young barmaid that served me was friendly enough. Atmosphere wise, late on a Sunday afternoon, it was as dead as a dodo. Just myself and two foul mouthed, drunken slatterns in the place. As is often the case, the music was cranked up to compensate for the lack of punters. Overall, I thought it was pretty disappointing, even allowing for the fact that I’m outside the target age group. I can’t see me returning in its present guise. As a footnote of literary interest, the pub features heavily in David Peace’s dark, visceral, Yorkshire-noir thrillers ‘The Red Riding Quartet’. However, any fans of the novels intending to visit for a second hand thrill will be bitterly disappointed, as the place is currently as sinister as a bag of cheese and onion crisps.