North Bar Harrogate, Harrogate

Part of this Yorkshire based pub chain, this is a modern craft beer bar that sticks close to the format of other bars in the chain. The pub occupies a bare boarded, split-level room with large windows down two sides and the servery over to the right. The bar has a funky, multi-coloured, diagonal striped tile counter front with a lower coffee and cake station at one end. The bar back has cool diagonal shelving units with a few framed sports shirts on top, although it was too dark to see which teams were represented, whilst some cages above are filled with lights and plants. High tables and stools make up the bulk of the seating to the front and across the lower equivalent space towards the rear, past a few well-stocked fridges and a handy beer board. Further back, you head down some steps for a rear lounge-type area with much comfier seating under some impressively large paintings in an otherwise rather characterless room. Muted lighting helps to create a warm ambiance enhanced by laid back tunes playing in the background. Signs suggested overspill seating in an upstairs room, but I failed to explore. The pub was notably quieter than the others visited over the course of our evening, which meant the atmosphere was a bit flat. There was only one handpull in operation, offering Roosters Easy Going Assassin, with the same brewery’s Yankee having just been taken off. I ended up trying another Roosters beer on keg instead, called Terry, which was a chocolate orange stout that fully delivers on the flavour front. I counted around a dozen other craft keg options in total and it seemed like the few punters that were in were all on the keg stuff. I thought this was quite a pleasant bar that perhaps lacked a little something to set it apart and make it a more memorable visit. The fading cask range was a slight concern and probably the most memorable part of my visit was the chocolate orange in liquid form in my pint glass. It’s a good option if you’re looking to flesh out a crawl, but in a town with so many great pubs, it doesn’t make quite make the grade and I’d be unlikely to give it a second chance. Date of visit - 8th November 2024

North Bar is a café craft bar that was pleasant spot for a half just before lunch on a recent Wednesday, however when I returned later in the afternoon the heat and glare from the sun shining through the floor to ceiling windows was unbearable. Unfortunately, the many cafe tables outside were all taken with those in the know that North Bar turns into a greenhouse at a certain time on a Summers day. There are lots of craft keg fonts on the back bar and also cans stacked in a fridge for those who like expensive lagers. Thankfully there are also two hand pumps that were drawing North Brewing’s Vanishing Point and Seasons Reverse, the former being my preference. The service was friendly and the upbeat jazzy background music fit the surroundings, but there are better drinking venues a stone’s throw away so I’ll probably walk past next time.

The colourful tiles along the bar front are quite similar to their outlet in Snow Hill Birmingham. The hanging lamps across the bar counter and stools were all a similar colour to the tiles, and so added good design. North Brewing describes this bar with 'floor to ceiling windows fill the space with sunshine, with the outside being a real suntrap' certainly not wrong there. As BF mentions below 'felt like a greenhouse' I'd definitely agree with that. At least their beer was cool enough, I went for the Vanishing Point Pale, which wouldn't warrant another.

On a street corner with massive plate glass windows,on a hot day with the sun streaming in it felt like a greenhouse.There are lots of tables outside,inside its mainly light colours and pine. 12 craft keg taps with some really exotic brews in this cafe style interior with on my trip real ales in North Brewing Seasons Reverse and Vanishing Point Pale (not sparkling form ,NBSS 3).This visit was at the end of an extensive and long crawl,if I had been more sober I might have ventured an eclectic keg so it maybe worth a visit despite the paucity of real ale.

Yet another shop-into-cafe/bar conversion, which seems to have a lot of windows and fairly bright colours inside, giving more of a cafe than a bar feel. The bar counter is one the way in, with a larger room behind and a similar sort of room upstairs. It majors on craft keg but does have a couple of changing cask ales on - in this case Brass Castle Bad Kitty and Arbor Mosaic, both on fine form if a little pricier than most.

Official site of North Bar Harrogate - www.northbrewing.com

Official site of North Bar Harrogate - www.northbrewing.com

Not too bad a place but the prices seemed expensive even for Harrogate. May revisit if in a group but not on my own.

A nice enough shop conversion on two levels. There's the main bar area with a few high tables and chairs and on the lower level several standard dining tables and chairs along with a photobooth. Massive windows make it very light and airy, however it was warm on our visit and the sun was beating in through the windows, making it difficult to see nevermind breathe the superheated air. It's going to be a nightmare during Summer unless they get some blinds. Three handpumps on the bar serving two of their own beers and a guest. The North Prototype was in very good nick. It will definitely appeal to the girly crowd, more so than the dedicated ale drinker, but it's worth a visit for one to see what's on tap.