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Colpitts Hotel, Durham
Durham
DH1 4EL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Colpitts Hotel
This is quite a pleasant Sam Smiths pub, and there were a few locals in here at the time of my visit, which was towards the end of a Durham tour that took in rather more pubs than I had planned: this one was the 12th. This partly explains why I didn't notice at first that my half of Old Brewery was not up to scratch. I took it back and pointed out its defects, whereupon the manager disappeared down to the cellar and then returned to pour some beer into a pint glass which he then tipped down the sink, and then pouring me another half to taste. (He must have had a barrel ready to connect up when someone complained, so he knew full well that the beer was on the edge, if not worse.) This new glass was ok, but as I went to sit down again I saw that the beer was cloudy. I didn't want to make a scene, and the beer was at least drinkable, but it was disappointing to leave this pub with a bad impression. Better than with a bad taste in my mouth, I suppose.
On 1st June 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Colpitts Hotel
The Colpitts Hotel is situated on the apex of two roads.
Once inside the main room is oblong shaped,there is also a smaller room in the front corner of the pub which has a pool table and darts board in it,there is one more room which is off the main room,the seating is bench type and small stools.
The pub is a Samuel Smiths tied house,there was one real ale on the bar which was Samuel Smiths Old Brewery bitter which was a very nice drink and very cheap at 90p for a half.
The pub was very busy on my Saturday afternoon visit.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 19/3/2016
On 24th April 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Colpitts Hotel
Corner junction Sam Smiths pub which is pretty unspoilt inside. A public bar area in the building’s apex, with a pool room and comfy lounge side room (quite a bit of character) elsewhere. Main bar seems to be where the action is, fairly spartan in décor but warm and welcoming with a collection of friendly barflys plus a matriarch landlady. Selection of board games above the bar. Quiz night Tuesdays. Usual Sams drinks selection with OBB available and in pretty good shape. Worth popping in if you're doing the excellent Elm Tree over the way, a proper traditional town boozer.
On 10th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Colpitts Hotel
A wedge shaped, albeit with a rounded end, stone built pub a short walk out of town and close to the imposing railway viaduct. Timeless feel inside, the main bar had a clutch of regulars gathered around the bar, chatting and ribbing one another, a couple played dominoes, there were games on a shelf to choose from. As well as the main room there is an intimate snug and a back room with a dartboard and pool table. Wooden flooring, small round tables, leather benches and stools. There are old railway notices and I spotted a nice Bell's Whisky mirror.
It's a Sam Smith's house so the beer choice on the real side is limited to OBB, which is a solid option if not likely to set the pulse racing and as always exceptional value, my half was 90p! I've paid more in a pub for crisps.
It is a must visit pub maybe if not for the ale, but certainly to experience a proper old fashioned pub that does what pubs are all about.
On 5th June 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Best Pubs left this review about Colpitts
cleanliness - excelent,
toilets - very clean,
prices cheap pints £1.60-£2.90,
food - none,
drink served - all samuel smithes beers ,taddy lager,pure brewed lager, brewery bitter,reserve cider,ales, and many more.
On 26th April 2014
- rating: 10
[User has posted 32 recommendations about 32 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Colpitts
This Sam Smith pub is well worth a visit. The pub is one of the first purpose built pubs of its time. When it opened in the mid 1800's, it traded on the Irish Navvies building the railway viaduct just down the road. Locals and bar staff friendly and chatty. Tried a few of the Sam Smith Old Brewery Bitter, drawn from oak cask. Would have stayed longer if Sam Smiths offered a few guest ales.
On 10th August 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Colpitts
We left this 2012 Good Beer Guide entry pub till last due to 2pm opening, but when we got there found we had misread the info and it opened at noon Thurs - Sat. Friendly local where conversation rules ok, and being strangers made no difference - we were immediately part of the conversation on the go. The only real ale on here is their own OBB but that is fine, it was a very quaffable bitter and the price is as always in these pubs, very cheap at £1.90 a pint. Really worth putting onto your city crawl.
On 24th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris Kelly left this review about Colpitts
Lovely pub, very friendly and welcoming (landlady, locals and students). Good quiz.
On 21st January 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Colpitts
Just outside the City, the COlpitts is an old (Edwardian?), wedge-shaped end-of-terrace pub used mainly by locals and, due to its incredibly low prices, students. It's also a GBG regular, so CAMRA members are often found here. The beer was all good - I have no problems with Sam Smith's beers as some people seem to. Reception was welcoming and the locals were friendly. Recommended for a pint anytime and it's worth extending a City crawl to come out here.
On 22nd October 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3284 recommendations about 3249 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
david turnbull left this review about Colpitts
sam smiths ,cheap good beer.great old pub .try the pure brewed lager,very strong but good tasting lager.one of the best pubs in durham.
On 8th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 13 recommendations about 12 pubs]