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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Minster Tavern, Ely
Ely
CB7 4EL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Minster Tavern
The Minster Tavern is quite an old and traditional pub near to the Cathedral in the centre of Ely. However, even before entering, you could see that it has been over-commercialised. Digital food advertisements could be found in the entranceway, whilst menus outside indicate the direction this pub is going in.
Further digital advertising can be found inside and modern technology continues with some gaming machines. Music was playing a little too loud and amongst the various literature on tables and shelves were menus (including children's ones) and cocktail promotions. A quiz night was also promoted. Some tables were reserved.
Despite the apparent leaning towards food, I could only spot drinkers. Wainwright Amber & 61 Deep from the Marston's range were on, alongside Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold. Fuller's London Pride & Adnams Ghost Ship were coming soon. A couple of Lilley's ciders - Mango Cider and Apples & Pears could be found in the fridges, whilst craft beers were Brew Board Ripchord & Beavertown Neck Oil.
With lots of wooden beams and a mixture of carpet and bare boards, the pub does look traditional. There were just too many modern touches spoiling it. A shelf above the bar has a board detailing the history of the pub with some spooky items and a couple of rugby balls. TVs were showing live cricket.
Not a bad pub to have on any crawl of Ely, but there are better pubs in this small city.
On 23rd July 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Minster Tavern
Trad mid-range place opposite the west tower of the impressive Ely Cathedral, doing a fair amount of Sunday dinners which was stretching/stressing the bar staff. Interior sports an attractive carved wood lower servery alongside a clashing milieu of old, faux old and couldn't-be-bothered-to-make-it-old fixtures and fittings. Four cask over five pumps; Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker, Milestone Rich Ruby and Theakston Old Peculiar, the latter of which was in good shape (NBSS 3.5) as befits its GBG23 listing and caused the barmaid to warn me of its potency ("I've seen people go funny after one of these" - I assured her of my professionalism in that respect). Selection of newspapers which is a rarity these days, so I partook of a quality Sunday. Fairly enjoyable 30 minutes though with a bit of internal re-ordering it could be even better. 7.5
On 13th September 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Minster Tavern
On a brief visit and trying to do as many pubs in Ely as possible before my train left, I found myself third at the bar while the server was midway through the first one's order. The fact that he took and apparently accepted two glasses of beer that had been poured to about four centimetres below the rim was the final straw, and I left to seek better options. (The beers available were Timothy Taylor Landlord, Adnams Ghost Ship and three others that I had forgotten by the time I left the pub.)
On 24th March 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Minster Tavern
The interior of the Minster Tavern comprises an L shaped bar area and a raised seating area at the rear. During a recent Sunday evening visit there was some background music playing and the plasma screens that are found throughout the pub were airing muted Sky Sports. Live music is held here at the weekend and there is a quiz every Thursday from 21:00 and Sunday from 20:00.
The bar is stocked with standard draught products and one of the four hand pumps was unused leaving Greene King’s Abbot and IPA as well as Hobgoblin as the ale options. A quick glance at a menu from one of the tables informed me that pub grub is available and the mains are priced under £7. There was also a ‘two meals for £8.45’ deal running and on Fridays from 17:00 two for one cocktails are available.
I found the service here to be polite enough and I would have no problem popping back in if passing.
On 23rd November 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5967 recommendations about 5933 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Minster Tavern
Nice-looking pub near the cathedral. Opened out inside to leave a modern 'L'-shaped bar with a further dining area up one step beyond. Not a lot of chatacter has survived the refurbishments, but there are some interesting local history photographs on the walls. Typical Stonegate menu. Four handpumps, offering TT Landlord, Doom Bar, Cumberland, and EPA (£2.55). (NB - Review dates from August 2012.)
On 9th March 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Minster Tavern
Comfortable rambling old pub near the cathedral. Beams, different seating areas and slight quirkyness make it interesting, but it could feel a lot 'older' as some of the modern inclusions slightly ruin the effect, but its a nice place. A lighter brick extension at the rear, Sky sports, loudish piped chart music.
The blackboard somewhat cheesily advises of the resident ghost.
The Marstons EPA was actually better then I get in its homeland Midlands, but possibly because it was Cask Marque cool temperature. Other beers were Sharps Doom and Taylors Landlord
On 26th September 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Minster Tavern
This is a nice looking pub that is quite close to the impressive cathedral.
Once inside the pub was quite smart and we sat in the room at the front there was aslo a garden at the back of the pub.
There were two real ales on the bar i had a drink of Adnams Broadside and this was a nice drink the other beer was London Pride,not a bad pub to have a few drinks in.
On 24th April 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
andrew parr left this review about The Minster Tavern
sprawiling old pub opposite the cathederal,FREE parking bay outside
On 26th November 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 105 recommendations about 100 pubs]