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Black Bull Inn, Otley
Otley
LS21 3AQ
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Black Bull Inn
I was keen to visit this pub because I remember it from my very first visit to Otley on my way to watch rugby league in Leeds for the first time; this was in 1984 (Leeds won 38-12). It's hard to say whether I was more impressed by the football (the speed and inventiveness were remarkable) or the Tetleys Bitter (served through autovacs to a Sunday lunchtime crowd of over a hundred in this smallish pub). I called in here in 2013 with a group of pub crawlers but how I felt about it on that occasion is not mentioned in my notebook, so another visit became necessary. The strange way the sole member of staff was speaking to the previous customer was already making me feel uncomfortable, and when he turned his attention to us I was feeling on the point of walking out. But we persevered and ordered our beers (see photos for available options). My Black Sheep Best was ok to start off with, but as it warmed up from an initial 11 celsius to maybe 14 degrees it revealed a slight hint of infection. Not bad enough for me to complain about, especially if it meant being subjected to the weird customer service persona being experimented with by our server. Just put it down to the folly of going back to places that hold a particular memory - I'll still have Sunday, 28th October 1984 and my first game at Headingley.
On 13th July 2025
- rating: 4
[User has posted 4391 recommendations about 4036 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malcolm Carrick left this review about Black Bull Inn
Only visited at lunchtime,food excellent and atmosphere friendly. Older end but thats me! Good start to a pub crawl.
On 12th February 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4 recommendations about 4 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Black Bull Inn
A friendly and comfortable pub with a welcoming open fire situated in a small snug area on the right of the entrance. There were four handpumps in operation on our Saturday lunchtime visit, which were TT Landlord, TT Bolt Maker, Tetley and Leeds Pale. The TT Boltmaker was a good choice.
On 5th April 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3716 recommendations about 3716 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Black Bull Inn
The Black Bull is a nice looking white painted pub that is situated on Otleys market place,the pubs front had market stalls in front of it at the time of my Saturday visit.
Once inside there is a single oblongish shaped room with the bar facing,there is some comfy bench seating at each end of the room which is carpeted plus a few tall tables and stools in the middle area and some normal tables and chairs,this area had a stone floor.
There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Taylor Boltmaker which was a very nice drink,the other beers were Taylor Landlord,Tetley Bitter and Leeds Pale.
The pub was really busy with both drinkers and diners on my Saturday dinner visit.
Background music was playing and i heard Fairy Tale of New York,i thought this was a bit early on the 8th of November.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 8/11/2014
On 8th November 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Black Bull Inn
A low, old pub finished in whitewashed roughcast reputedly the oldest in Otley and with the Civil War history alluded to below. Inside are the low ceiling, stone flags and the dark woods and brass fittings you would expect. Basically open plan where three or so rooms have been knocked together leaving an open sitting area to one side , the bar space for vertical drinking and an almost snug in the front corner. This area is carpeted, has an open fire and is fitted with benches, décor is a collection of Cromwellian themed prints. The bar counter sits at the back and is equipped with four handpumps, Tetleys Cask on one, Taylors Best and Landlord on two others and a Spitfire lost from Kent on the fourth. I had a Best but it was rather poor in spite of the pub's good reputation especially for the Taylors. The usual UK kegs sit on a couple of T Bars
On 19th April 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3686 recommendations about 3364 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malcolm Glaister left this review about Black Bull Inn
Another good food pub in this fine market town.
Busy at lunchtimes and very busy at weekend evenings
On 11th February 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 18 recommendations about 17 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alfie Aleswigger left this review about Black Bull Inn
Lively, ancient town pub serving Timmy Taylors, Theakstons, and Tetley.
On 28th February 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 46 recommendations about 44 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Spiller left this review about Black Bull Inn
Plaque outside reads:
Otley town council
The oldest inn in Otley
Reputedly drunk dry
by Cromwell's troops
who camped outside
the town
on the eve of the battle
of Marston Moor
On 2nd August 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 68 recommendations about 68 pubs]