The Exchange, Bradford

Called in yesterday after doing a few other places in Bradford, on my way back to the train station. At the bar are five hand pumps, offering one cider, two or three real ales by Bradford and a guest or two. I had the Ivegate Stout by Bradford which was very nice. There seemed to be a group of regulars round the bar and the barmaid seemed to know some of them by name, and she was rather chatty and friendly. Sometimes it is the person working the bar that makes a place, and I think for these fellas that was definitely the case here. Bar service was friendly and she didn't let chatting to the regulars get in the way of serving other customers. Old Boots described it as a dank cellar bar - I'm trying hard to disagree but his comment is probably fair. I didn't find it gloomy or miserable though despite the subdued lighting. There is some natural light coming in at the raised area to the front of the building. Food is served and menus were on the tables. There was a solitary high chair in the corner so can only assume the place to be family friendly. Worth a look and I would definitely go back again.

A slightly dank cellar bar underneath the old Wool Exchange selling Bradford Brewery beers across four pumps with a guest on fifth, Revolutions on this occasion. Very quiet on a Sunday afternoon when I called in but the beer was up to scratch. The toilets are even lower than the main bar although the back of the room is at street level on another street.

Leased by Bradford Brewery due to reopen 2017. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/News/15437887.Cheers_as_popular_city_centre_pub_taken_over/