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The Market Vaults, Stafford
Stafford
ST16 2LA
Pub Type
Local Pub (Marstons)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Market Vaults
I called into this Marstons pub at the end of my first visit to Stafford, my last pub before the train. Note taking had become fairly difficult by this time, but I can tell you that there were three real ales available: Hobgoblin Gold, Wainwright and Jennings Cumberland Ale. At first I was underwhelmed, to say the least, but my drinking companion, a Stafford man who had also made this his first stop of the day before my arrival, encouraged me to try the Cumberland. What a revelation! I have been decrying the blandification of this beer for a number of years - along with some others from Jennings that have been bowdlerised or ruined by Marstons - but this was really good. In great condition, well balanced, with malt and hops well defined, this was up there with Titanic and Joules for best beer of the day - it was certainly a lot better than the Landlord in the penultimate pub.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Market Vaults
Another historic town pub in Stafford’s Market area, well described by others, below. The staff were slightly helpful, and the crowd was younger than some of the other nearby pubs, but the atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable. Food is of the burger variety, not particularly good value. Ales on were Wainright Golden Beer, Banks’s Amber Ale and Hobgoblin, plus here was a pump with a reversed Sunbeam clip and one with Rosie’s Pig. Worth including in a crawl.
On 17th May 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Market Vaults
Takes a bit of finding to the uninitiated; this is a fairly traditional place which has a wiggly, narrow C-shape interior where the old rooms have had doors removed and access widened which scoops round the bar. Live music was on and the place was pretty busy with the younger crowd listening to the strumming hipster in the rear bar with the codgers (and me) in the front section. This was fairly dimly lit with a weird purpley edge to the light which meant I couldn’t really enjoy the old fittings that remain here. Six pumps with five Marstons stable beers on. My 61 Deep was indeed deep – well into the barrel and rather flat, in retrospect I should have taken it back but noise and queue at the bar put me off. I liked it here overall, but it doesn’t quite belong in the premier venues league in Stafford.
On 14th December 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Market Vaults
This is a Marstons pub but despite that I could see no identification externally. Inside it's an old wooden floored place that has various areas wrapped around a central island bar. This means it was almost certainly once at least two separate rooms. One plus point was that I didn't notice any TV screens.
The bar has six hand pumps at the front and two duplicates at the back. Two were unused at the front so there were only four Marston ales available, Banks's Sunbeam & Amber (presumably a new name for their bitter, what a pointless and stupid thing to do), Marston's Old Empire and Hobgoblin. I went for the Old Empire (£3.40) which was in excellent condition.
This was a pleasant enough old pub but rather let down by the beer choice, especially for a GBG listed one.
On 20th November 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Market Vaults
Not a bad pub but Hobgoblin the strongest ale available. Worth a revisit and maybe one of their burgers.
On 2nd January 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Market Vaults
A busy and vibrant pub on our Saturday afternoon visit, seemingly a regular haunt for the locals. The interior is traditional with lots of dark timber work and original features. The pub is a Grade II listed building and a couple of the locals told us that there is an old tunnel under the pub that leads to the court house. Five ales on handpump from the Marston's stable, the pub also specialises in gourmet burgers.
On 31st August 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Market Vaults
It used to be called Joxer Bradys and its a marked improvement on that. There were 3 real ales on with an unused handpump on this visit.
On 19th September 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Market Vaults
Now an excellent old traditional pub, a square around a central bar, creaky floor, lots of dark wood caninets & panelling, its a lovely town centre pub hidden just off the main square.
4 real ales, all from Marstons, but carefully unstandard.
Excellent
On 5th August 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Joxer Bradys
A terrraced town centre pub, Georgian style, that is made up of two former adjoining properties. The pub is in undressed brick and white render, with some black paintwork. In the GBG 2011.
The interior has a central serving bar and is open plan all around, with areas that would be equivelent to bar and lounge seating; tables and chairs to pew seats and stools. The decor is white mainly, with a bit of red and wood panel, with a mix of stone tile, wood and carpet flooring to reflect the organic nature of the pub. There is a small firplace in the area where you enter the pub. The music was general and at an ok level, but they do have live music here and open mic nights. There was no TV. The walls have pop-art stuff that is in fact for sale - different, though not my cup of tea. There are a couple of dart boards. The service is always friendly.
Beer; tap stuff with Ringwood 49, Boondoggle, Marston's Sweet Charioy and Wychwood Hobgolin and Dirty Tackle - some had change when i next popped in. The Hobgoblin was decent.
Depite having the Marston's range of beers, which are common enough in my area, the pub has a good feel and the quality of beer is fine - definately one to visit and you can stay here for more than the one. A good place.
On 26th February 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Neil Mallett left this review about Joxer Bradys
Now has upto 4 real ales on, bit expensive but worth a look
On 2nd April 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]