Alexandra Hotel, Hull

Blue Scrumpy left this review about Alexandra Hotel

The Alexandra Hotel is a prominent building that I recall seeing quite a few times when entering Hull along the main A63 dual carriageway. From the road, it looks somewhat rackshackle with a faded elegance to it. However whilst being prominent, it's also located a little way out of the city centre and on the wrong side of the road.

It's a pub that I've had an eye on visiting for quite a while and it regularly appears in the Good Beer Guide. The current owners took the pub on 6 years ago in a transaction which also involved some car workshops and a parrot! Taking over a pub just as Covid struck seems a bit unfortunate but apparently they made more money from government Covid grants than they do with the pub being fully open. In fact, this pub seems very much like somebody's hobby/labour of love rather than a business concern, which made a really refreshing change.

All eyes were upon us as we entered and I immediately spotted a board listing several real ciders to the right-hand side of the bar. The selection was Broadoak Mango Cider, Southcoats Avenue & Lane, Courtney's of Whimple Silly Cow, Gray's Devon Cider, Bearded Cider Just Peachy, Crossfield's Mayfield Tradition, Udder's Orchard Luddite, Lindley Gold & The Udder Side & Burrow Hill Medium Dry.

I could see a few I hadn't previously tried immediately but my other half was a bit more hesitant. A guy at the bar grabbed a couple of half pints and 2 smaller glasses and led us down to the cellar to sample a few before making a final choice. Ultimately, he left us down there to pour our own ciders!

Back in the bar, there is also a good cask ale selection - Don Valley Kiss The Sky & Sweet Mild O'Mine, Goose Eye Bitter, Brick Shed Aitcheson's King Billy Best Bitter & Small World Thunderbridge Stout.

The interior is lovely with a high ceiling, red banquette seating and some great period features. However, we didn't get too much of a chance to inspect things closer as the guy who had led us to the cellar was a really friendly fellow from Leeds who had quite a few stories to tell us. I did also notice a dartboard in one corner and there was also a function room where a local brass band were holding a meeting.

When I'd eventually worked out that I hadn't tried 5 of the ciders in total, I decided to have another couple more. This time I was simply told where the glasses were and given the key code to the cellar. I handed over cash to the guy at the bar. Meanwhile other customers were not only going the bar and pouring their own beers, but were also putting their cash in the till. I know there are some self-service bars in existence but nothing like this that I'm aware of.

Locals seemed like a decent and friendly bunch. They all seemed to know what was coming from the moment we walked through the door. Children are also allowed in.

I'm amazed nobody else has reviewed this hostelry (which does offer accommodation) since the current owners have been in situ. With the Whalebone currently closed, it's easily my new favourite pub in Hull and I'd say it's well worth the trouble of heading out of the city centre and to cross the A63. A very unique experience with extremely friendly owners and customers in a beautiful heritage pub with a good range of beers and ciders too. It's a good 9.5/10 from me.

On 8^th July 2025 - rating: 9
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