Haunch of Venison, Salisbury

One of Salisbury's oldest pubs, the Haunch has a mixed and colourful history. It is a notable Salisbury landmark, it was built as the church house for St Thomas's just around the corner and is thought to be aroud 600 years old. It has been a pub (and at times a brothel) for a couple of centuries or more and is on CAMRA's inventory of pub interiors. It has 3 bars, known among the locals as The Horsebox, Death Row and The House of Lords. he story of the hand is well documented. The restaurant upstairs is a separate business which also varies in quality and was once run by local chef Rupert Wilcox (RIP) as "One" (ie One Minster Street). Its beer quality is inconsistent, so it rarely makes it into GBG. The last couple of pints I had - Hopback and Ringwood - were good. Recommended for its history and general interest, so I would drop in on a crawl then move somewhere else to enjoy better beer.

A narrow terraced multi-level pub and restaurant in brick and white render The reviews Roger's, OB's and Maldenman's reviews below have already covered pretty much of what i would say, but I will still throw my 'tuppence' in. The interior has a nesting of rooms really - three bar areas and a restuarant on the top floor. I saw two of the bar rooms - the small 'Horse Box' room i didn't see. We made for the 'House of Lords', a small room, wood panelled, which is up a small flight of steps en route to the restaurant. It houses the hand in a what i assume was a bread oven within a large brick fireplace - a photo has been supplied. The main bar had a chessboard floor and was in white and wood beam, with etched windows and a real fire (it was peeing it down outside). The service i found fine and the clientele deduced were locals on two accounts. 1. They all knew each other well enough to trump loudly (and often) 2. The piano player stopped when we walked in - but saying that, we were sent on our way with a a friendly goodbye. Beer; tap stuff with Courage Best (decent) and Directors - but i think, like Roger, i missed a couple of taps. I think i agree with what the other reviewers feel - as in, this place is more an experience - there are lots of other places in Salisbury that are as good, indeed better for beer choice - but this has something about it.

Interesting for the antiquity of the place, some of the pumps are situated directly over the cellar steps which lead from the bar. Noted the chequered stone floor around the bar, and we managed to get seated in a tiny snug with room only to swing the smallest of cats. Wood panelled walls and an attractive large fireplace. Only Courage Best on offer as cask ale yesterday which was a shame given the availability of more interesting beers locally. There is a restaurant upstairs but not visited.