Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Oh dear, self promotion FAIL with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Ale Gate
This pub opened about a year after my only previous visit to Alnwick, so it was a must for me. A choice of five cask beers, of which two were local (Anarchy and Crafty Monkey), one was a beer swap from a local brewery to one in Norfolk, which is laudable but not what I was looking for (Wild Eye Intriguing Pale - I think I've drunk it at the George & Dragon in Cley anyway), plus Rev James and Purity Bunny Hop (foreigners, both - and neither of them brewed at their original brewery). So I went for the Stout & About 4% from Crafty Monkey in Hartlepool which was very good and £4.60/pint.
This is a friendly and welcoming pub, though it has a stuffy, almost musty smell to it. It's a large shop with several levels going up the hill behind. The beer store is up two sets of four steps, with the toilets also on that level, to the left - a further seating area is around a corner to the right. Every customer at 10pm on a Tuesday seemed to be in a similar age group to me, except for one man and his son, who may have been about 48 and 13 respectively, who I'd seen in the nearby youth hostel a couple of hours beforehand. I like this pub, and appreciate the effort made to make the acoustics less harsh than such shop units often produce - the ceilings are covered with bamboo fencing panels, which is a nice idea, but perhaps they contribute to the musty smell?
On 7th July 2026
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4842 recommendations about 4430 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Ale Gate
A relatively recent opening in a former insurance broker’s office, this is a good size pub set just outside the city walls, and is certainly worth popping in if passing by.
Internally it’s split a cross two levels, with the higher level being up a few steps at the rear. It’s previous incarnation as an office is till visible with suspended polystyrene tiles on the ceiling, although at least in the bulk of the pub at the front these had been covered up by some sort of bamboo matting which was quite effective. The flooring was predominantly blue carpet, and further aqua blue paintwork was on much of the walls, with some sort of faux brick effect behind the bar counter and at the rear. Plenty of beer mats were tacked around suggesting an ever changing selection. There was a decent crowd in our Saturday evening visit, and the place had a decent, buzzy vibe to it.
Beers on tap were Maxim Citra, Strongarm Ruby Red, Hanlon’s Stormstay, Settle Old Smithy Porter and Warrior, whilst a sixth pump appeared to have run out. I didn’t note the keg cider options, but did notice several boxes of Lilley’s stacked up in the ‘fridge. Process seemed reasonable, with a Pint and a G&T coming in at £8.60.
On 30th July 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2150 recommendations about 2046 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Ale Gate
nice, larger micropub, comfortable lower room with bar and upper area with sofas. good ale and the location is pretty central
On 15th May 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1616 recommendations about 1593 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Ale Gate
A largish and tidily-furnished micropub in a shop conversion with two levels, plus a hireable room upstairs. Six handpumps with a good selection of regional beers on (the Raven stout was excellent) plus the obligatory beer fridge which also housed boxed Lilley's cider. In proper micropub style, there was a friendly welcome and no musak - conversation rules! Nice drinking place.
On 8th August 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4003 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Ale Gate
Over 4 years since my last visit to Alnwick, I returned to try this micropub, which had opened in between times.
A friendly welcome is offered here. They managed to accommodate us by re-arranging a little furniture in a pub that was quite full late on a Sunday lunchtime. We were seated in a small area up a few stairs at the rear of the single room. Toilets are also located upstairs in the far corner.
4 real ales were on - Cheviot ETale, Durham Magus & Black Bishop & Big Lamp Prince Bishop. They've stopped serving a real cider, presumably due to a reduction in demand.
A decent and different addition to the Alnwick pub scene. But I still prefer the traditional character of the John Bull Inn and the Tanners Arms.
On 1st November 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3569 recommendations about 3567 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about The Ale Gate
Alnwick's first micropub. Opened February 2019. Up to six cask ales available on handpump. Owned by the husband and wife team behind the Narrow Nick, Rothbury.
On 29th July 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 729 recommendations about 709 pubs]