Masons Arms, Pontefract

A traditional stone built community local, just off the Pontefract Road. There are two large rooms, with one leading into a raised area housing a pool table. Décor and fixtures are all very comfortable, including some unusual narrow tables in the right hand room. There’s obviously been some modernisation over the years, replacement beams, for example, mixing with the originals. However, it remains cosily low ceiling-ed and not all the nooks and crannies have been ironed out. Two large stone fireplaces look impressive. Two real ales on offer: John Smith’s as the regular beer and Sharp’s ‘Doom Bar’ as a guest. I’m not a fan of Doom Bar but it was fresh tasting and nicely cool- not cold. The friendly barmaid topped it up without asking. It’s hard to comment on the atmosphere of the place, as I called early afternoon on a hot weekend and nearly all the other drinkers were outside. One thing that definitely grated was the R&B music drifting from the pool room at high volume. There is a sizeable beer garden to the rear of the pub, but it needs more seating and lacks a little TLC. On balance, a comfortable, if unremarkable, village local. I suspect I won’t be calling again. (Visited June 2009)