The Sailmakers Arms, Hull

A pleasant stop off if not quite an outstanding pub,the barman was as mentioned below chatty and helpful, as also mentioned the beer choice did not particularly excite,I had a pint of Robinsons Organ Donor which was ( as informed by the barman before purchase) a re-badged Dizzy Blonde, it was perfectly drinkable and the short visit here was enjoyable but a bit off pace in regards to the previous few pubs visited, still decent though.

This modern interior pub is well covered by Mr Fastard below so no need to repeat any of that. Yes I agree the ale range on offer was a bit pedestrian when compared to some of the nearby competition in this old part of town, but the Bradfield Farmers Blonde I took was spot on and how it should have tasted in the previous pub. I particularly liked the internal layout with the described seating booths and built in tropical fish tanks and any pub that keeps one fish tank going, let alone two, scores an extra point from me.

A conversion from ,I assume ,a sailmaking workshop the cast iron supporting columns indicate the previous use.There is a lot of modern exposed brickwork and two unusual inlaid tropical fish tanks in the dividing walls of three seating booths along the lefthand wall.Nautical ephemera dotted about including two ship navigation lights but both with red lights.The Cornish barman explained that the missing starboard green light was because it gave an unflattering light for the young women who come in here for live music,so red was substitued .A collection of fob watches hang from the ceiling near the bar.There is a courtyard to the front,but the interior isnt that large although it wasnt busy on our Friday afternoon visit.There were 6 handpumps dispensing Sharps Doom Bar and Atlantic,Robinsons Dizzy Blonde clipped as Organ Donor for a charity,Bradfield Farmers Blonde and Moorhouses Pride of Pendle ,which had a slight tang.Besides Sharps beers ,the Cornish theme is carried on with a choice of three pasties. Real ale competition is red hot in this Old Town part of Hull and I thought this pub came up a bit short compared with others nearby.

Official site of Sailmakers Arms - thesailmakersarms.com

Official site of Sailmakers Arms - thesailmakersarms.com

Well, it's fine enough, I suppose, but I left disappointed. The pub was pretty quiet on a wet midweek afternoon, but the decor and layout failed to create a great deal of atmosphere. The beer range was pretty mainstream in both lager and ale categories. Old pump clips suggested the guest ales may be more interesting on other occasions.

The pub is set back from from High Street through an archway and into Chandlers Court. The courtyard makes for a pleasant outside drinking area. Once inside it's been modernised with lots of bare brick. There are 3 alcoves on the left hand side as you enter with a large fish tank between two of them. The pub was mainly set up for dining during our Saturday lunchtime visit. There are 3 handpumps selling changing, if not very imaginative guest ales. My pint was decent enough without being really top notch. We'll probably call in for one again on our next visit to Hull.