The Whalebone, Hull

Backstreet boozer in a run-down heavily industrialised area that was my first port of call on a Saturday visit. We arrived at midday and the place seemed closed. But we tried the door on one side and lo and behold, it was already open. It was a little cold inside, as somebody had broken the heater. But service was friendly and the atmosphere was warm and hospitable. Rudgate Viking & Half Moon Dark Masquerade are regular beers here. Guests were Rooster's Three French Hens, Bone Machine Blood Money, Bad Seed Burn Rate, Bristol Beer Factory One Way Ticket & Brew York Tonkoko. Real ciders were Perry's Collector's Card #05 Vintage, Purbeck Cider Company Katy Perry, Cotswold Cider Company She Devil, Cowfold Silly Moo, Malvern Magic Dry, Westcroft Janet's Jungle Juice & Lyne Down Medium Cider. Simply a fabulous backstreet boozer that is worth seeking out and easily the best of 12 new pubs we visited on this visit to Hull.

Official site of The Whalebone - www.thewhaleboneinnhull.co.uk

Official site of The Whalebone - www.thewhaleboneinnhull.co.uk

Even better than I remembered. Traditional, friendly and rugby league on the telly. Didn’t make a note of the all the ales, though I tried Exit 33 Oat Stout (almost perfect). Roosters YPA (very good). Soaked up the atmosphere and should note that even on an early Sunday evening there was still a healthy trade. Upped the rating to 10 – I would never turn down an opportunity to go here. April 2016 A 10 minute walk from town via a crumbling industrial estate towards the docks and up some rather ropey-looking roads, lies the Whalebone which is actually a thriving gem of a community local. Named, presumably, after the whaling trade that took place for a while in the city. This is a J-shaped place, full of punters on our Friday evening visit despite the insalubrious surroundings. A traditional, old-fashioned feel inside with loads of black & white / sepia photos on the walls of long-vanished Hull pubs, plus an impressive collection of old bottled beers running along high shelving. Boarded floor and light varnish third length wood wall panelling. Rugby League on telly (proper Northern, this one!). Seven ales at the bar, too busy and pissed to note them all but it was a good selection and my Riverhead Coffee Porter was in very good nick. Cider and perry too, I think. I loved this place and would thoroughly recommend it for the more hardened pub-bagger. Rated 9.5