The Record Cafe, Bradford

Record Cafe just keeps on going when others on North Parade seem to be closing down or constantly changing hands. Pretty much unchanged since my previous visits - four hand pulls for cask, all of which were in service. I was finding it pretty chilly but then I realised I was leaning back against a bare brick wall, which wouldn't have helped. Good selection of beers on cask and keg, chalk board listing the options, friendly service. One of my favourites in Bradford, and long may it continue!

In a road with many converted shops, this one is an award-winning real ale and craft beer bar. Tidily furnished and decorated with a mixture of pump clips and music memorabilia. Also has a small pavement seating area. Four handpumps offering different styles: pale, IPA, porter and bitter, with the latter being an excellent Wylam Best (£4.20). Also has seven keg taps on the bar-back and a couple more on a ceramic German fount.

If I recall correctly this was the first of the shop conversions on North Parade and as BF says remains one of the best as the Camra awards on display will also testify. It looks to have had some redecoration since or during lockdown as the furniture has improved, other than the long bench down one side although with a lot of necessary cushions. The walls on the non-brick side have been redecorated and a lot of pump clips put up as decoration. The staircase at the back still leads up to the record shop part of the bar, represented by one of the three keynote symbols that appear in various places in the premises. All four pulls in use on my visit and quality was undiminished.