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Dove Inn, Barnsley
Barnsley
S70 1TP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Dove Inn
As the previous reviewer has noted, this is an obvious candidate for a pre-match beer, for both home and away fans. I timed my visit just right as people were starting to leave with half an hour until kick off, so I only had a three or four minute wait to be served. I had the Old Mill Traditional Bitter - I didn't see if there was another real ale on as it was still a bit too busy to be pushing through to see. Service was fairly quick but there was no effort being made to top up glasses after the initial pour, and I saw a few "pints" that were even shorter than mine, which was only 90% full. This beer is not one of my favourites, and despite being in pretty good nick it was no nearer to making my top 100. I was here before, on a non-match day, and found it quite pleasant, and considering the pressure on space it was fine on this occasion - I even had a chat with a couple of Barnsley fans, telling them why they would probably beat Luton Town this time. (I was wrong.)
On 18th August 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3740 recommendations about 3477 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Dove Inn
Located just outside the town centre, a five minute walk from Barnsley's Oakwell stadium, The Dove Inn is a friendly football themed pub which welcomes well behaved away supporters. The pub has a nice traditional feel to it, retaining various rooms, despite having been opened out in part to accommodate more people on match days. You enter into a carpeted seating area with a few tub chairs around small circular tables, light wood ceiling beams and wall panels with an off white top half and a servery on the left. In the front window there was a food counter, helpfully offering homemade pork pies (very tasty) and pulled pork rolls at generous prices, although I would guess this is a service restricted to match days. The pub extends a long way to the right, with lots of standard and low stool seating, more of those unusual light wood panels, some stained glass screens and old whisky boxes displayed on high shelves. A separate room to the left, which can be viewed through a round window near the entrance, filled with an old cartwheel, houses another section of servery and acts as a games room, with a pool table proving popular pre-match. A couple of small tables and stools jostle for space, but you're best off staying on your feet to admire the excellent collection of Barnsley FC memorabilia on display, including photos, signed shirts and footballs, a cabinet full of programmes and a weird looking framed club dartboard. A door to the rear left takes you through a small triangular shaped room with stained glass front pieces over the windows and a collection of kid's toys, before emerging into the rear garden, which can also be accessed by a room to the rear right which has a dartboard and limited seating options. The garden is paved and has several picnic benches, but most notably is overlooked by a drinking balcony, which I couldn't figure out how you accessed.
The pub is tied to the Old Mill Brewery and two of their beers - Traditional Bitter and Bullion - were available on handpull. I gave the Traditional Bitter a try and thought it was pretty poor, especially given the high level of demand that afternoon. The staff were efficient enough and the atmosphere was pretty relaxed, with supporters mixing with no problems.
This is quite an appealing pub that was very different from what I would expect from the usual football style boozer. It's a shame that the beer wasn't up to much, but it remains a good pre-match option, especially if you're after a cheap, tasty snack. I'd probably give this one a second chance the next time I'm in town.
On 27th April 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Dove Inn
Watch out for the opening times here - was closed when I went on a Monday lunchtime
On 17th November 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Dove Inn
Fairly recently refurbished roadside local close to Barnsley FC (part of Oakwell can be viewed from the outside decking area) and seemingly given a new lease of life according to the locals at the bar.
The Dove has a couple of Old Mill brewery beers on the go (Bitter and Bullion) which both tasted excellent though a bit cold for my liking, served by a friendly down-to-earth landlady. There's a nice downstairs garden area and the inside of the pub is quite plushly furnished (for Barnsley) though there's a slight whiff of old smoke pre-ban. Beware the big dog roaming downstairs - he's perfectly friendly but looked quite a handful. Dartboard available and a TV.
Best pub I visited on my day in Barnsley and a no-brainer if you're there for the footy.
On 1st August 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]