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The Head of Steam, Durham
Durham
DH1 4RZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Head of Steam
A modern but not unattractive bar located in a courtyard down a small lane. The main raison d'etra is clearly the vast range of world, USA and mainly Belgian beers on offer, mostly in bottled form but there are three handpumps at the very end of the bar. This occasion had Belma Single Hop, Tyne Bank Summer Breeze and Marston's Fridge Magnet Pale Ale. I went for the Summer Breeze which was a nice drop and well served by the young girl undergoing training. The walls, shelves and ceiling are positively festooned with all manner of mostly Belgian related beer stuff, adverts, trays, jugs and old bottles, flags, you name it. A downstand beam has hundreds of bottle tops stuck to it.
L-shaped with a boarded bit plus some carpet, modern furniture but thankfully no high tables. There is outdoor seating under a big umbrella in the courtyard or on the upper balcony. Food served although I didn't partake, ciabatta sandwiches at £4.95, F&C £8.95.
There was a muted TV with news while a pleasant bluesy soundtrack played at just the right volume.
A very good start to my Durham jaunt and just the place to pop in and sample a proper strong Belgian beer, which I did, perhaps foolishly, for the nightcap the following evening. No harm done though, enjoyed it.
On 4th June 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Head Of Steam
Modern building - with non-traditional furniture but full of breweryana - in a courtyard setting accessed via the 'ginnel' from North Road. More seating and a balcony upstairs (not visited). The emphasis is on the excellent selection of Belgian and US bottled beers, but there are also three handpumps on the bar counter: Titanic Lifeboat plus two from local Sonnet 43 micro - Brown Ale and Bourbon Milk Stout (£3.09). Overall, well worth seeking out.
On 2nd February 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Head Of Steam
Must have called on a bad day on our mid afternoon visit as the barmaid was either too shy to smile when approaching the bar or couldn't be bothered. The choice of two ales on handpump were awful. One was bland and the other was yuk. Should have gone in for a pint of lager. Have to add there was nothing wrong with the ales, just not to our taste.
On 14th August 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3745 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Head Of Steam
Went to this 2012 Good Beer Guide pub for 11am opening, but was told at the bar it opens at 12 noon, so we had to call back later. Popular just off the main North Road shopping area, being through an archway it has a sunny courtyard area outside. There were 3 ales on from Irish breweries and we had very enjoyable White Gypsy Red Oak and Eight Degrees Sunburnt Irish Red. Both in good condition. They have an interesting beer menu for beers from Belgium too.
On 24th March 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Head Of Steam
Modern bar, decorated in typical Head Of Steam chain fashion. Beer adverts, music adverts etc all around the walls. There's an upstairs area that can be reserved for private functions as well. Downstairs is pretty comfortable, but small. There's a DJ rig in one corner, but this wasn't in use on our Thursday evening visit. 3 handpumps on the bar selling changing guests. I had a Dark Star American IPA which was in good nick. Friendly staff adds to the positives. It's a decent place and one we'll visit again.
On 18th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3343 recommendations about 3253 pubs]