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Submitted on Saturday, 4^th May 2019
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The Polka Hop, Wakefield

Pub added by James Joines

60 George Street
Wakefield
WF1 1DL

Correct details

Served areas

Wakefield Central

Reviews of The Polka Hop (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Will Larter left this review about The Polka Hop

I have been here before, in 2013 when it was the Bull & Fairhouse, but had little memory of the pub. On checking my notebook I find that it was the final pub of a 12 pub crawl of Settle, Keighley, Saltaire, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield, so it's less surprising that I have no memory, and slightly surprising that I survived. This is now a music and community pub, with a relaxed feel about it. I entered an empty pub not long after 1pm on a Monday, with nothing to suggest that anyone had been in earlier. The lad behind the bar was friendly and welcoming, and pulled some beer off that had been going stale in the pipes before pouring me a very good half of Chin Chin Terra Firma, a pale beer made with British hops (NBSS 3.5). There was another Chin Chin beer and Timothy Taylor Boltmaker made up the trio on the bar. There was a drum kit set up ahainst the front window, and I tried not to imagine how noisy it would be in what is not in fact a very big room. There's a smaller room to the left and another further back, so it can probably get quite busy here.

On 25^th February 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Polka Hop

ORIGINAL REVIEW July 2014

An earthy boozer,but one not to be missed on any real ale tour of Wakefield.You enter up a few steps with a front lounge to your left and a small stage in front of the right hand window in the tap room.The wooden floor is all very ale house,and the slightly worn leather seating extends into an alcove where there is a darts board and large drop down screen,where we settled to watch a World Cup match.Towards the rear,up another step is a rear alcove with an upright piano but without any windows.Music is a big part of the pub scene here and as the band were setting up,the atmosphere became more bohemian,but the pub still retained it's friendly drinking den atmosphere.The barman was friendly and chatty.
The six handpumps will always feature a number of Great Heck ales,on our trip Golden Bull and an outstanding Simcoe,with guests in the shape of Bob's Brewing White Lion,Stroud Budding and Lytham Stout with one pump unused.A definite for the revisit list,everything we tried on the ale front was in good nick and the GBG entry is most warranted.

UPDATE

After a period of closure this pub has reopened as Polka Hop.The long stairway to the front door remains but the interior has changed.To the left is a front room with it's own window while to the right is the main tap room with the bar now to the rear left side directly above the cellar.Artwork adorns the wall,yet the interior has a minimalist feel.Bench seating,oblong tables and wooden chairs complete the scene.Given the pub is located away from the Westgate Run it's a calm and studious place with an emphasis on real ale from 4 handpumps and some craft keg.My Durham Liquid Amber was on good form NBSS 3.5,the other choices were from small regional brewers including two from Wishbone.
Worth including on any real ale tour of Wakey.

On 15^th July 2021 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

custodian 42 left this review about The Polka Hop

The latest name for this place is the Polka Hop. The room on the left is still there but the bar has switched sides from right to left. The back room is also still there. Four hand pumps, all working. Not as good as the Bull and Fairhouse was, but adequate enough.

On 24^th September 2018 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]

View more reviews of The Polka Hop (12)

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