Vocation & Co, Halifax

Modern bar next to Alexandra with a cellar bar vibe. 6 pulls and 8 kegs of extremely interesting beers including the cask ones, the most mainstream beer was a Paulaner Dunkel. Old board floor, modern bench seating, metal framed tables, couple of posing tables, one wall decorated with gig posters another with BRIAN BLESSED punching a tiger. There’s a piano, constant background music and books appearing to perform a structural function. I’m told there’s a roof garden but I’m not doing that during a Yorkshire autumn. Probably something to do with the Alexandra as their menu was on the tables and you can bring one of their takeaways in here to eat. Put it on your Halifax to do list.

There was a decent crowd in here on my return from the Shay having watched the Rhinos play Halifax for the first time in 15 years (the first time we've played, that is, not the first time I've watched them). Servcice was pretty quick though, and I found myself a spot from which to observe the pub. It's a fairly ordinary oblong room and at first glance there's nothing special about the decor. Except for the charts of the Tyrrhenian Sea on the front wall, the 1980s racing bicycle on the left hand wall and the accordion suspended above the piano. Shelves at ceiling level contain books that seem to have been bought for their sound proofing value rather than any literary merit. More pertinently, the bar features four hand pumps and there are also a number of keg taps. A good publike atmosphere.