Wallers Brewery, Bradford

Subterranean pub at the lower level of the rather unusual Sunbridgewells complex. Entering through the tunnel from Millergate, you find the bar straight ahead with a large seating area under a vaulted roof beyond. There are also a couple of side seating areas, one with a curious artistic interpretation of a chemical laboratory. Four cask ales on handpump: Ilkley's Joshua Jane, Saltaire Blonde (£4.20), Three Swords from Kirkstall and Hobgoblin IPA.

I approached this cellar bar from the Kirkgate end. The entrance to Sunbridge Wells is not obvious from here but there is a small gated entranceway at the junction with Ivegate. Steps descend into a subterranean world under the streets of Bradford City Centre and you enter a narrow brick vaulted passageway with a few rooms off to the right-hand side, including one with a pool table and another with a small kitchen. The bar can be found on the left-hand side at the far end with the space opening out a little. At this point, there is lots of exposed ducting. Nevertheless, the bar is still an impressive space. There are many soda dispensers above the shelves of glasses for some reason. Drawings of local scenes can be found on the beams around the bar. There were also a couple of fruit machines, as well as some DJ decks at the Kirkgate end. For my visit, music was playing without the aid of a DJ. Not too many were in but it was gradually filling up. Beyond the pub, the passageway then narrows again and continues with other outlets either side until it reaches another street (Upper Millergate). 4 cask ales were on - Saltaire Blonde, Ilkley Joshua Jane, Kirkstall Three Swords & Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA. Brooklyn Stonewall IPA was on keg. The cider was Thatcher's Gold. A bit of a musty smell was a little off-putting but I suppose that is par for the course for a subterranean bar.

An interesting looking place as described by Quinno. Unfortunately an ongoing wedding reception detracted somewhat from the real experience of the place but I quite liked what I saw. Beers on were Wainwright, Tetley Original Cask,Saltaire Blonde and Harlequin.

Subterranean bar in Sunbridgewells tunnels, right at the bottom of the complex. Enter to a semi-industrial main bar with a long brick vaulted seating area leading off. As mentioned below, there’s a collection of oddities to be seen. Four ales on, my Bosun's Maiden was a bit flat (NBSS 2.5) and I was the only person on the real stuff. Friendly barman gave me a booklet on the history of the tunnels. Worth a look in for the unusual.

Re-visited last Friday afternoon, following the easing of restrictions. Hand sanitiser is still available by the entrance but mask wearing does not seem to be a requirement. It felt nice to be able to walk up to the bar, cast my eye over the pumps, make my choice, pay, and make my way to a seat with my drink. Payment can be made via cash or card. Service was friendly. Four hand pulls for cask, one of which had a cider on offer, I didn't note the other options but I went for the Bosun's Maiden Voyage at £1.30 for a half. This was in fine condition.

If you enter from Ivegate, Wallers is down two flights of stairs right down into the tunnels. This was a proper cool underground dungeon with lovely arched brickwork. Absolutely no phone signal down there but if you really need it there is W-Fi of the type that you have to sign in with a social media account or email address. There seems to be a theme of skeletons in alcoves and general curios in nooks and crannies. Down to business, at the bar are three hand pumps for cask ale, all were on at the time of my Friday lunchtime visit yesterday offering Cloud 9 by Salamander, Saltaire Blonde, and a brown ale by Bosun's - possibly Maiden Voyage. I had the Cloud 9 and was tempted to stay and try the brown ale too, but I had a few other places to visit so decided to move on. Very glad I visited this place though, it is definitely different and well worth a visit.