Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Old Black Lion, Northampton
Northampton
NN1 1SW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Old Black Lion
An interesting exterior with two buildings joined together to form the present day pub.One building is in local stone with good external green tiles,while the other to the right is plainer and the doors here dont operate.The internal is far less interesting,to the left of the entrance is a large collection of sofas with Sky Sports TV,while the central bar leads to a small side seating area with dado rail before the descent into the other building which has a collection of modern tables and chairs,pine flooring ,darts board and Northamptonshire skittles. A small suit of armour offers a talking point.
It has a boozer atmosphere and is popular with local Irish residents but had the feel of a pubco owned premises with the sole real ale on offer the nationally available St Austell Tribute (£3 in ok condition)
An unremarkable interior and dull ale choice do not mark this pub out as one to go out of your way to visit,but it's the nearest to the station and is fine for a quick one before getting your train.
On 24th November 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Old Black Lion
I made my way through the large police presence outside this pub about half an hour before Luton Town's game at Sixfields was due to kick off. I heard one copper say to another that their efforts this day had been "well worth while", another with a bit more to him commented, as I chained my bike to the railings of the next door church, that it would be a poor show if it went missing while they were all stood around.
Humour was to be found indoors as well, as one member of the bar team had enjoyed writing a list of grievances above the bar (see photo). Her colleague distinguished herself by totally ignoring me at the bar until I was pointed out by another customer, though to be fair it turned out to have been her day off.
There are four hand pumps on the bar, though only one beer was available, another pump having a reversed pump clip.The beer was Frog island Gold Pride, which was in good condition although not really to my taste. Although not what I would call a destination pub, this is a friendly local in a lovely old building (strictly two buildings, one in beautiful Jurassic limestone) that is handy for the station.
On 30th March 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Old Black Lion
The Old Black Lion is the closest pub to Northampton Station so it is very handy for a quick pint whilst waiting for a train or as a meeting point for travelling football or rugby fans. I found the staff and locals to be very friendly during my visit early Saturday afternoon and the Guinness was spot on and reasonably priced (I am a Londoner though!). Alongside the standard draught selection are four hand pumps and although one of these was off Greene King IPA, Abbot and Frog Island’s Natterjack were all available. There is a plasma screen that was showing snooker on BBC and I saw no advertisements for Sky Sports. The pool table mentioned in the previous review seems to have gone, but there is a fruit and quiz machine at the right hand side of the bar before some steps down to a sunken seating area. I didn’t spot any food advertised, in fact the only posters I saw were advertising an Ann Summers night that occurred the night before my visit.
Some picnic tables for smokers can be found in the yard out the back and there is a separate function room that is available for hire.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here again, but as I said before this pub is in a handy location.
On 14th December 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Old Black Lion
Split-level pub, with the main bar and pool table area at the higher level and another room with more tables down a few steps in what must have been a separate building in the past. There are also a few benches in the yard out the back. Three handpumps - all local brews, with two from th Frog Island Brewery plus Phipps NBC IPA (£2.50, but a bit 'end of the barrel'). Very handy for Northampton station if waiting for a train connection.
On 4th June 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Old Black Lion
Pleasant pub near station, reputedly haunted!
On 14th November 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]