The Crown Sports Bar, Bradford

Official site of The Crown Sports Bar - crownsportsbar.co.uk

Official site of The Crown Sports Bar - crownsportsbar.co.uk

There's nothing Olde at all about this place apart from the impressive facade. Inside it's a ripped out barn, albeit clean and with a new carpet. There's a stage, DJ booth and a dancefloor to the rear which makes me think that this may be very different later at night than around 4:30 on a Friday when I visited, when it was peaceful with a similar clientele to the nearby Drum Winder. There are loads of TV's in here, also similar to the Drum Winder. 3 handpumps on the bar with 2 on, both serving Bingley beers. My pint was in good nick and a bit of a bargain at £2.40. I'd pop in for one if passing, but there are lots better options in Bradford.

I decided to give this place another try and concluded that maybe I judged it a bit harshly last time. On my Tuesday lunch time visit there were two real ales on- Korito and Aire Gold - both by Bingley, with a third pump unclipped. There were loads of keg taps across the length of the bar but these were all for mainstream stuff. I went for the Korito, which it had a bit of a strange smell and I'm not sure if it was meant to be hazy but it was. Tasted OK though. I'm pretty sure I recognised a couple of faces from the Drum Winder so I suspect it attracts a similar clientele. Despite being opened out it does have the feel of two smaller rooms to the front of the pub each side of the entrance. There are several TV screens showing sports. It's nicely decorated with original plasterwork incorporated, and I noticed that the plaster coving contained roses and crowns. There is a glass panel ceiling in the centre of the pub which brings some natural light in. Towards the back is what looks like a stage or dancefloor area. Some young lass who was in with a fella nipped out and brought a McDonalds in, and was unashamedly tucking in to it with her Strongbow Dark Fruits. Presumably this pub doesn't serve food. I doubt this is going to become one of my go-to pubs when in Bradford, but it is not as bad as I had found it on my initial visit which can only be a good thing.