Hardwick Inn, Chesterfield

Will Larter left this review about Hardwick Inn

I don't know whether table service was insisted on here before Covid-19, but there are desks with signs saying "wait here to be seated", both in the courtyard and inside the main building. Those wishing to eat or drink outside have to place their orders at the Stable Bar. I went into the main part and approached the bar there. "Will you be sitting outside?" was the first question, and when I showed an interest in one of the empty tables in front of the bar counter, "Oh, those are taken." (Not by anyone within the visible spectrum, I felt tempted to say, but refrained.) I said I only wanted a beer and would be just half an hour, so I was grudgingly allowed to sit at the smaller table. "What beer would you like?" as I approached the bar; "I'll bring it over to you!" (Is it all right if I photograph the pump clips, I said, just like it was 2021 again.)

There were five hand pumps, with Theakston Old Peculier and Best Bitter, plus Timothy Taylor Landlord (a little bit tucked away behind some menus) and Peak Ales Chatsworth Gold. I went for a half of the two Theakstons beers, but when the server started pouring the Best from a keg tap I remonstrated. "Oh, we don't have that on cask, the pump clip is just there to show what is on." Curiouser and curiouser.

To be fair, I have often found that the keg version of this beer is better than the cask, but don't tell anyone at Camra I said so. The Old Peculier was a bit too cold and a little bit old too, while the keg Best was neither too cold nor too gassy, just inoffensive. A group of four cyclists came in a few minutes after me, who seemed to be known to the staff; they had pints of Chatsworth Gold all round, which they insisted were poured with a wafer thin head - the customers here can be just as demanding as the staff, it seems - and they had another round before I left, drinking two to my one. I didn't hang around to see them get back on their bicycles.

This is a handsome building but I didn't get a chance to look around inside because of the danger of spreading some virus or other. Not sure I really want to come back either - what would it be like when it's busy?

On 6^th May 2025 - rating: 5
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