Ye Olde Black Boy, Hull

The Olde Black Boy is a classic Hull Old Town pub that oozes character. We too sat in the larger back room, but I did take a peak into the front room. A corridor connects the two to the left-hand side. Apparently, there is an upstairs room too. 3 real ales were on - Otter Amber, Skinner Betty Stogs & Wye Valley HPA. 2 real ciders were Weston's Old Rosie & Rosie's Pig. The rear room has a small toy train running around the ceiling, which can be activated for the princely figure of 50p! Well worth visiting at least once.

A fine twin-room interior to this Old Town establishment, although not quite as old as it first appears since it actually dates as a pub from the 1920s, but still a sight to see. Didn't really get the chance to look at the smaller front bar, but the dark wood-panelled interior of the back bar is enlivened by a good deal of breweriana and other memorabilia. Of the six real ales on handpump, I went for the Portobello Northern Line Porter (£1.90, half) to accompany a pie, and with the friendly barmaid and heritage interest, this was an enjoyable (if brief) stop here.

Amazing old pub situated on the cobbled old High Street, well-described below and is on the CAMRA National Inventory of historic interiors. An atmospheric old smoke room to the front and a larger rear bar all accessed via side corridor. The front snug has floorboards, wood fire, serving hatch, black varnish wood panelling, lanterns, original translucent leaded glass windows. Look out especially for the wood carved head of the eponymous black boy above the open fireplace. The rear is more opened-out and has information about William Wilberforce and his connection with the pub is displayed on the dark wood panelled walls plus a grand 1729 picked out in the wood panelling. Both rooms served by a central bar. Both rooms are quite dark (take your pick from ‘atmospheric’ or ‘gloomy’) which won’t suit everyone (candles on the tables in the rear). A top-notch selection of classic indie music being played on our visit, perhaps a bit too loudly for a Friday afternoon though. Six ales on and a good spread; Bradfield Farmers Blonde, TT Golden Best, Copper Dragon Pippin, Adnams Broadside and Portabello Northern Line (replete with LEDs on the pumpclip acting as tube lights) served-up by a friendly barmaid. Went for the Portobello and enjoyed my half though it was (I think) the most expensive one of the day. Pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls (sourced from a local butchers) also available at £3.20, large and filling and splitting a pork and game pie in half kept two of us going until dinner time. Another quality Hull pub and should be on the ‘must-do’ list. 8.5