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The Griffin, Carlisle
Carlisle
CA1 1QX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Griffin
The Griffin is a two-floored Greene King pub located in a prominent building that, according to lettering above the entrance, used to operate as a bank. A mix of high and standard furniture runs up the laminate floored left-hand side of the pub and an L-shaped serving counter is found in the right rear behind a large staircase that climbs to the first floor. On the other side of the staircase in the front right of the pub is more seating, including banquettes. There are televisions throughout that were airing muted Sky Sports while some crap generic music played in the background. Standard and premium keg products were available alongside a couple of GK’s own lagers that are dressed up to look like craft beers, Level Head and Flint Eye, the latter was off. Three of the four hand pumps were in use drawing Old Speckled Hen, IPA and TT Landlord.
Upstairs is a smaller bar with seating to the left adjacent to a balcony that overlooks the entrance. More seating and a pool table are found to the right, and the flowery décor looks like it’s come straight out of the Slug & Lettuce hen party must-have book. It was OK in here during my recent Monday early evening visit, but I got the feeling that it would be hellish at the weekend.
On 10th October 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 6277 recommendations about 6240 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Griffin
Literally a Wednesday night down the Aberystwyth SU from my youth but 24 years later in this GK party barn pub. Two levels and to be fair it's kitted-out pretty well, those of a Titchmarshian disposition will enjoy the four poster tables upstairs which are bedecked with fauna. Oddly there was a token cask of Dark Tide which even more oddly was actually pretty drinkable (NBSS 3). A better bet than the Apple Tree on this showing.
On 16th February 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Griffin
Prominent city-centre pub, housed in an old bank and located just up the station access road by the old defensive towers. You might think that 'spoons would have done a better job of the conversion because the interior is disappointingly anodyne (and the mezzanine insertion doesn't really help). With two of the four handpumps in use, I found the local Citadel (£3.55) and Greene King IPA being served, with another Carlisle Brewery beer and Old Speckled Hen coming next.
On 27th September 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8918 recommendations about 8918 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Griffin
Large Greene King over a couple for floors.
Real ale options seemed limited to core GK range, so avoided.
Stella £1 cheaper than Peroni at £4 a pint.
Seemed popular for the "pub grub crowd"
On 16th September 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1695 recommendations about 1669 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Griffin
Large Greene King pub on a corner just outside the Citadel and railway station. Fair bit of dark wood and bench seating. White tiled bar back, four pulls lurk on the front corner of the L shaped counter, Abbott, IPA and Golden Griffin from the local Carlisle brewery, presumably some badge engineering going on there. Looks like it’s had a massive refurbishment in the recent past, which possibly added the mezzanine floor. Usual screens and machines with constant but not too intrusive background music. My IPA was as good as it is likely to get but I drank it fast and had jaded taste buds from the previous days excesses. On the ball with their anti plague procedures and reasonably quick service, although it was a quiet time of day while I waited for a train.
On 20th September 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3777 recommendations about 3449 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Griffin
I've passed this one many times when changing trains in Carlisle - it's only a stone's throw from the station - but never felt the need to investigate further. On this occasion, a lousy beer in another pub required expunging, so I popped in for a swift half before my train. It's a large building, a former bank, and has been given the treatment. It appears to be quite popular but I entered without too much enthusiasm. The bar features four hand pumps, with Ruddles Best, Greene King IPA and Abbot supporting the very welcome Black Sheep Best Bitter. One of my favourite beers when well kept, and this one was just about spot on. I don't think I'll be making a habit of coming here, but on this occasion it really hit the spot.
On 5th August 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4491 recommendations about 4122 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Griffin
This pub is in the 2010 Good Beer Guide, but is a large barn of a place with little atmosphere. Had Geltsdale Brampton bitter which was the only guest available. The other beer was Greene King IPA so I was disappointed with the choice in such a big place. Asked for soup of the day and was told it was pea and spinach, but when it came it was orange, more like a spicy carrot. Nice enough and the food menu was reasonably priced too. TV screens showing artists playing their music at a reasonable level allowing conversation.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Griffin
2 floor pub close to carlisle train station.Opens 9:00 am food served & 2 real ales on.
On 16th March 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3026 recommendations about 2961 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tex Icecubes left this review about The Griffin
Did the old, sneek off while wifey is shopping ploy and headed straight for this place which I'd noticed after leaving the railway station. It had many "were in the good beer guide" and "camra pub of the season" stickers in the window, so I was a little disappointed when there were only two real ales available (Jennings Cumberland and Brains Bitter). Plumped for the Brains. £2.56 Bargain.
So I sat down in the not very plush interior and began to make notes. (pretty sad).
Its a large building, bit of a drinking den, mainly lager and smoothflow drinkers, not many people eating food. The beer was ok but nothing special. You get a much better pint and better choice 100 yards down the road at the Woodrow Wilson.
All the usual - beer pump clips and a big picture of John Barras, but sadly lacking in the art effects and parrot inhaler.
On 2nd February 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 28 recommendations about 26 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Griffin
OK pub for a station pub. Sells a couple of real ales usually at least one is from a micro. Has several large screens for the football so it gets busy when there's a match on. Service is usually OK here even when busy. Not much character has been left in here as it's simply a big room, has an upstairs though that opens at busy times.
On 2nd December 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3317 recommendations about 3227 pubs]