Black Horse, Wakefield

A traditional two roomed, street corner pub, situated on the city’s main drag, close to Westgate station. The large main room is lined with wooden panels and is dotted with innocuous, dated art prints, plus a few brasses and decorative plates. Although there are wall benches and traditional round tables, a large amount of the floor space is kept clear for vertical drinkers. A rather plain extension to the rear houses a pool table. There’s also a second, slightly sunken, room opposite the bar, which is smaller and cosier, but with similar décor. Overall, the feel is spartan and a little bit dreary. Outside, there is a large enclosed patio, but with the recent redevelopment close by, the Black Horse is now surrounded by busy roads on three sides. Just John Smith’s Cask as a real ale and on this visit a pretty poor pint as well, unfortunately. Definitely tainted with either detergent from the glass washer, or line cleaner from the hand pump. However, the barman that served me was friendly and welcoming, all very old school. Atmosphere wise, it was very quiet when I called mid afternoon, what customers there were taking advantage of the sunshine outside. It almost certainly gets busier towards the weekend, but there did seem to be a whiff of decline about the place. I hadn’t called for several years and on the basis of this visit I’m unlikely to again. There are several places close by with much greater appeal and the imminent opening of a new branch of Wetherspoon’s, just across the road, will probably hit trade even harder.

It's really nice here :)