The Swan, Wakefield

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

aleand hearty left this review about The Swan

The Swan was once a fine old Tetley’s house, before suffering a spell as an execrable Scruffy Murphy’s, followed by several years as a soulless vertical drinking barn. Finally, the Swan feels more like a traditional pub again.

Internally, it has a horseshoe shaped layout and is quite plain overall, although the walls are broken up by photos of various pop bands and two large screens for sport. Seating is largely based on wall benches around the perimeter, with cast iron tables, though there are some high stools at the bar. To the rear of the pub there is a beer garden for fair weather drinking.

My visit was prompted by the local beer bush telegraph stating that the Swan was committed to real ale again, so it was quite disappointing just to see two of the four pumps being used. Unfortunately, the choices were fairly prosaic as well in Marston’s ‘Pedigree’ and Wychwood ‘Toasty Oasty’. Opting for the latter, it proved to be yet another dull amber beer from the extended Marston’s stable. However, in fairness, it was in good condition. Service from the barman was friendly and welcoming, but the place was dead on a Wednesday evening, with only two other punters in the place. Even allowing for the sleety showers, I would have expected a little more custom. I suspect the place is a little busier at weekends when the Westgate runners come out to play - and probably needs to be if it is to survive. Overall, I found it too subdued and uninspiring, with little to entice me back again, particularly with competition such as The Hop, Harry’s Bar and Henry Boon’s close by. Disappointing.

Visited 11.02.14

On 26^th June 2014 - no rating submitted
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