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Speedwell Bar, Dundee
Dundee
DD2 1AS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about Speedwell Bar
Yet another *** CAMRA Heritage pub in Dundee, about 15 mins trot from the centre towards the student area. To be fair I think this one is the star of them all, a lovely Edwardian multi-room gem. Enter to the main bar with an impressive bar back, alongside a half-height divider and door combo to access the rear area and the two rooms off left, separated from each other by a glazed wall and both traditionally decorated (bar the fitba being shown on a jumbo screen). A big bonus here is that it’s GBG listed and indeed there were three cask on, a fag-end JW Lees beer (NBSS 2), Wychwood Hobgoblin and Swannay Summer (NBSS 3). As mentioned below, the gents have some antique urinals and I can also confirm that the patent for odourlessness has indeed expired. This one’s a default for Dundee and is worth a couple of pints. 8.5
On 26th January 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5092 recommendations about 5075 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Speedwell Bar
A fine example of an Edwardian pub built in 1903 for the Lord Provost.
Rightly listed in the CAMRA inventory of heritage interiors internally it retains most of the original features. Dark mahogany throughout, the L shaped bar is in two sections each with its own entrance and connected internally by a half height wooden glazed dividing door. And then there are two lounge rooms off the back bar section separated by a glazed wall so that when standing you can see between the rooms.
The ornate bar servery has an impressive collection of over 100 whiskeys on the back and the usual array of Scottish keg taps on the front as well as three real ale pumps which were dispensing Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Ringwood Boondoggle and Pale and Significant from the nearby 71 Brewing microbrewery for my visit.
The Pale and Significant was on top form as it should have been for something that had just rolled down the road to the pub and I took it into the back lounge room to admire the quirky artwork that adorns the various walls of the pub, and it wasn’t long before I was engaged in conversation by some of the locals, as it is that kind of friendly place.
The Gents toilets are quite a time piece as well as they still have in place the chest high ‘Shanks Patent Odourless Urinals’. Unfortunately though the impression you get on entering is that the patent must have run out several decades ago.
There is not many like the Speedwell remaining and it should be treasured for the old time pub experience it is.
On 2nd September 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Speedwell Bar
This is a terrific old pub with a well preserved traditional interior that’s a 10-15 minute walk from the city centre. A corner entrance leads you into a simple front bar with banquette seating under the wood panelled front wall but no tables on which to rest your pint, hence everyone in this room was stood at the bar instead. A curved servery runs along the back wall and on into the left hand room, separated by a nice partitioning screen and small doorway. There is a nice Bernard’s Pale Ale mirror at the end of the bar and the room has a beautiful decorative ceiling and checkerboard tiled floor which all adds to the pub’s traditional feel. The bar back is remarkably large and pretty ornate and it has been topped with a selection of potted plants. The left hand bar is considerably larger and constitutes the main bulk of the pub. It is similar to the front room in terms of flooring, the fine ceiling and a lack of seating options, but it does offer ample standing room and there were plenty of locals in, stood around, chewing the fat. From here there is access to two side rooms, the first of which is a half panelled front room with fixed bench seating, a fireplace on the far wall with an electric fire on the hearth, matching floral wallpaper and curtains plus a TV screen showing muted news coverage. The rear room has a homelier feel to it and offers comfier seating options, another fireplace, warm, decorative wallpaper and another TV showing the same channel. The toilets are also worth a look thanks to some remarkably large ‘Shanks Patent Odourless Urinals’ and a nice mosaic tiled floor.
There were three handpulls in operation upon my arrival, dispensing Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Hanlon’s Yellowhammer and Cameron’s Strongarm. None of that took my fancy, so I instead looked to the keg range, which included a couple of interesting options, and came away with a nice pint of Siren Undercurrent (£3.75). The barmaid serving me was particularly nice and friendly and there was some good natured banter from a couple of locals as I entered the pub too.
I really liked this place and thought it had a good lively feel to it whilst still retaining its attractive period features. I somewhat regret not giving their ale a try but this was undoubtedly the best pub I found in Dundee and I’m sure I will return here the next time I’m in the city.
On 14th June 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Speedwell Bar
Corner pub with a 'L'-shaped main room angled the opposite way that you might expect. Interesting heritage interior with the bar partially sub-divided by two low-height screens. Two additional lounges can be found off to one side, and all very traditionally furnished and decorated. Three real ales on handpump: Deuchars IPA, Staple Pale Ale from Edinburgh's Top Out Brewery (£3.30) and Woodfoorde's Simcoe from much further away. Also has a notable display of whiskies on the impressive bar-back.
On 18th February 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Speedwell Bar
This is a friendly 2010 Good Beer Guide pub. Edwardian interior and an L shaped bar with lots of fonts with various beer styles, plus 2 real ales. Some bottled Belgian beers, and over 100 malt whiskies displayed on the back of the bar.
On 17th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
sammie fraser left this review about Speedwell Bar
the most awesome pub u cud ever go to, big part of my life, i grew up here and hav a lot of fantastic memories, its just class i love it me xxx
On 8th October 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]