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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about Holy GrAle
Holy GrAle is a red carpeted craft bar with a beer shelf and a couple of stools in both the front windows, behind which is open plan seating that includes a long and thin high table on casters and a line of tables with a throne at the top end. In the right rear corner is an old clip covered L-shaped serving counter that supports two hand pumps, one of which was in use drawing an excellent Allendale Brewery’s Pennine Ale. The main draw for the ten or so customers seemed to be the craft and premium keg available from 12 taps across the back bar. The music was a bit loud for a craft bar, but it was to my taste so I didn’t mind. The ale selection was limited, but I’d rather have one fantastic ale than three mediocre options, and the service was very friendly, and I was made to feel welcome having never been here before, so yes this is on my revisit list.
On 6th February 2026
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Holy GrAle
The Holy GrAle was my favourite new pub I visited in Durham this time around.
As I arrived, a quiz was in full swing, meaning all tables were taken. It feels a little like a micropub, albeit slightly bigger.
Just one real ale was on - Allendale Pennine Pale. But there were a couple of real ciders from the Napton Cidery - No. 3 & No. 5. The No. 5 was a very drinkable blackcurrant cider.
The craft beer range is much more extensive - Hadrian & Border Tyne Pilsner, ABC Charlie Don't Surf, Weihenstephaner Weisse Bier, Napton Cider No. 6, Two by Two NZ IPA, Vault City Strawberry & Lime Sour, Brew York x Unbarred Granny Smith's Brambling Sour, Brew York Tonkoko & Muffin Else Matters & Marble Decadence.
The atmosphere in here was quite lively, with not everybody in for the quiz. Definitely worthy of a return visit, the next time I'm in Durham.
On 27th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3415 recommendations about 3413 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Holy GrAle
Boxy bar conversion on the steep hill up from North Road, next door to The Angel and across from the Old Elm Tree. Odd mix of furnishings, there’s a long table on metal railing tubes along with normal sized round tables with proper chairs and a few stools of course. Different decor as well, on the white brick walls are some dog’s heads on representations of shields, some mad mediaeval style drawings cum maps of Yorkshire grace another wall. Drinkwise, there are 10 crafty keg taps on the back wall of the side counter with a blackboard to aid selection, two pulls are slightly hidden at one end of the counter, one was off the other with an odd brewery I’ve not seen before. Opposite the counter are large fridges of bottles and cans and there are more cans on the back wall surrounding a big screen.
On 6th March 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3937 recommendations about 3601 pubs]