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Little 3, Thirsk
Thirsk
YO7 1DA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about Little 3
A peculiar little place, clearly very old although there is a bit too much tat cluttering the place up. That said, it is a nice, relaxing sort of place to for a pint and seems to have a decent selection of ales on: TT Landlord, two from Daleside, the Black Sheep rugby special and Ringwood Razorback. Further seating is signed upstairs and there is something called the 'Stable Block' at the back, open occasionally, as well as tables in the former car park..
On 3rd November 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Little 3
The Little 3 appears to be the best that Thirsk has to offer. It's located just to the east of the market place and has quite an olde worlde feel, with low beams, seating area on different levels and cosy nooks and crannies.
Staff were friendly enough, but we found the ale range a little limited. Harrogate Pale & Best were on, alongside Fuller's London Pride. I went for the Pale, which was a decent drop.
It had been quiet when we arrived. However, a few more customers had arrived by the time we left. They enquired about the Pennine Black Forest that had been on prevously and were instead offered 2 other ales whose clips had been turned round when we were being served. So, it appears that Daleside Monkey Wrench & Ilkley Lotus were also on.
Staff were friendly and genuinely interested in the purpose of our visit. I'm not sure if a CAMRA discount is still given. It wasn't offered to us and there was no promotion of it.
In a town seemingly devoid of good watering holes, this one is worthy of a visit.
On 31st July 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about Little Three
Visited last Thursday afternoon. At the time of my visit only three of the five hand pumps were in use. The ales available at that time were South2North by Pennine, Striding The Riding by Helmsley and 1863 by Isaac Poad.
As Mr Larter has noted on his review the interior is old fashioned with artificially yellowed walls and ceiling with dark wood beams which, in the wall at least, appear to be artificial - unless they are actually present and happen to have been plastered over.
I usually find the Little 3 is dead so was pleased to find it a little busier on my most recent visit (around 4pm).
One of the barmen did not look thrilled to be there.
I found the ale was all bit samey, just bitters and pale ales. I had the South2North and the Striding The Riding, both at £1.50 a half, so OK price wise but it would be lie to suggest those ales were anything special. There used to be individual chalk boards over the fireplace listing the ales on offer, but these have now gone. There was a beer festival advertised which was due to have over 20 local beers so they must still have an interest in real ale, but it didn't seem quite as good as it used to be for me.
Just to add a bit of trivia - I have read somewhere that this place used to be called Ye Olde Three Tuns or The Little Three Tuns but when Wetherspoons took over the actual Three Tuns on Market Place this place decided to change its name.
On 16th August 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Little Three
The pub sign and everything else about this pub gives its name as "Little 3", though I've not seen anything yet that explains the name. They're big on Yorkshire beers, though the beer I went for (Thelonious Punk) was brewed by Three Brothers of Stockton on Tees, which is not in Yorkshire (though doubtless would prefer it if possible). Above the bar is a plug for BAD Co Brewery, though none of their beers were available. Those that were: Theakston Best Bitter, GreyHawk (former Copper Dragon) Pippin, Pennine Festival Fuel and the aforementioned Three Brothers beer. I was surprised how bland this beer was: a 4.5% IPA with very little malty flavour and not much from the hops apart from a little residual bitterness (a bit like the Theakstons, then). The most interesting thing about this beer was the name, the second was the pump clip (see photo).
The pub has been done up inside to look as though it has not changed one iota since the 17th century, though my guess would be that the building was not here in the 17th century. The ceiling has been painted that colour that white ceilings used to go when smoking was allowed in pubs. My notes made at the time say "faux old": you get the picture. The floor is unmistakably modern wood, and so is the rather handsome bar counter (which has hooks!). There was background music playing which was above average for quality and interest. There's no mistaking the enthusiasm of the people running this pub, but I'm surprised, as I said before, that there's nothing on the beer front out of left field. Perhaps bland is what sells in Thirsk.
On 1st September 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Little Three
One dimly lit room with the bar to the left hand side. Four or five hand pumps but nothing of any strength. Would be a lot better with some decent ale on sale.
On 6th August 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Little Three
Taken over by West Park Inns who own a number of pubs between Thirsk, Knaresborough and Easingwold. They have given it a total makeover with the counter moved to the side and given the place a half timbered interior. There's also a brasserie upstairs. Furnished with traditional comfy bench seating, brown chairs and wooden tables with cast iron bases and stools including a couple of tractor seat conversions. Beer quality was average but the service good. There's a 10% Camra discount, and free wifi. Six pumps with beers from Rudgate, Wharfebank, Taylors, Ilkley and Theakstons and lots of interesting pump clips behind the counter. Still one of the better pubs in Thirsk.
On 21st February 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Little Three
Has been taken over and refurbished since the review below edit 17/06/14
Quirky old style pub located just off the market square. Beers from smith's and tetley's. A pool table is located up the stairs at the rear of the pub.
On 17th June 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Ye Old Three Tuns Inn
The pub is exactly as described by OB although there is a separate upstairs tap room with two pool tables and there's also a beer patio out the back with 3 sets of covered benches. It's a very pleasant looking pub. Now for the downside. The only ale available was Tetleys cask which wasn't very good at all. One of our party asked for a Rose wine only to be told "Sorry, it's not cold". Not great on one of the warmest days of the year so far. We sat on the outside patio watching the large number of nest building birds working hard on their construction. Nice pub shame about the beer.
On 24th May 2010
- rating: 3
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Ye Old Three Tuns Inn
Down a side street just off the Market Place the interior is a half timber and plaster affair but with higher ceilings than expected. There is a long front bar with a big TV screen, the room is decorated and furnished in traditional pub style, carpeted but with the requisite number of horse brasses and old beer bottles. The bar counter is a big rectangular unit against one end wall giving three serving faces, the longest ones facing the bars and housing two hand pulls each; these are the fine old porcelain type decorated with hunting scenes. The short side carrys a T Bar of the usual lagers and smooths, Carling, 1664 and Tetleys in this case, the ale choice is Tetley Cask. The rear bar is named Dick Turpin's Lounge on a plate fixed to the very large open fireplace, behind here is another sitting area. The lounge is decorated with paintings, prints and above the bar are certificates recording charity donations, awards to and achievements of mine hosts; this is the style of pub that has hosts rather than just staff. Beside the bar is a display case of military memorabilia as this area is rich in military history and is still home to various RAF and army bases. Watch out for the excitable little puff ball on legs that is the pub's peke dog.
On 16th February 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about Ye Old Three Tuns Inn
Traditional pub with a number of cosy bars with low ceilings. Real Ale available.
On 30th October 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]