Old Bell, Harrogate

This place seemed more like a big old shop than a pub (apparently it was a former restaurant), with large windows and a bit of an empty feel. Judging from earlier reviews some of the fittings have been removed, which probably didn't help. However it was not unpleasant and had a good selection of beers - feeling experimental I went for the Northern Monk Raspeberry Porter which was surprisingly nice albeit served in one of their silly glasses. No problems with service or beer and it is also nice to be asked before paying if you are a CAMRA member to get the discount, rather than spotting a small sign afterwards.

Market Town Taverns’ fall from grace continues, enough said.

Called in this 2019 Good Beer Guide bar and foud a decent selection of real ales available. Chose Good Chemistry Time Lapse which was fine.

What has happened to what was a fine old pub? Called in here earlier. Beers - mediocre and overpriced. My wife is a lager drinker - one draft lager available which was unkown and not cheap. No bottled lagers available. We left and went to wetherspoons for some decent beer and lager!

This town centre pub opened in 1999 in a former restaurant premises which was built on the site of a 17th Century pub called the Bell Inn. One of two Market Town Tavern's pubs in Harrogate, this is very much their take on a traditional town centre boozer, providing an atmospheric and evocative environment to enjoy some well kept ale. The main bar sees the servery run down the rear right hand side, with a dark wood counter boasting some bold decorative features and a modest bar back which has given birth to a sprawling pump clip collection that also extends across the ceiling. The room is bare boarded with banquettes under the front windows and standard tables and chairs elsewhere, including some small booths down the left hand wall, each separated by a decorative wooden panel. Blackboards detailing food, old framed advertisements and large mirrors cover much of the wall space and there are some images of the original Bell Inn near the entrance, plus a beer board suspended above the servery. To the right is 'Farrah's Room' - a more recent extension which saw the pub expand into the neighbouring property, formerly the home of Farrah's Toffee shop. This room is also bare boarded, with bench and standard seating options under more drink advertisements and again separated by some smart partitioning screens. The star of the show in here is an original shop display unit from the toffee shop which hosts a fine collection of Farrah's memorabilia. There is also a dining room upstairs, but I didn't get round to checking this out. The usual interesting MTT ale range thankfully applies here, with the options on this visit comprising Taylor Boltmaker, Black Jack Jabberwocky, Salamander Matter, Thwaites Porcelain, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Black Sheep Resurrection, Okells Spring Rain, Theakston's Bitter and Roosters Azzaca. A cracking line-up and my pint of Jabberwocky was very drinkable. This is a great little town centre venue that should appeal to a wide range of customers and doubtless does very well from passing trade. I enjoyed my time here and thought the ale range was worthy of a much longer visit than I could afford. Another top Harrogate pub to add to the 'revisit' list.