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Disappointment of the week with Bucking Fastard
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The Polished Knob, Todmorden
Todmorden
OL14 7BU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Polished Knob
This pub is currently the main live music venue in Todmorden, with live bands every Friday & Saturday. At any other time it's just a decent boozer with 6 well kept cask ales. As you enter there's an area set up with dining tables to the left and a small stage to the right which had a bands gear on it as it was Friday evening. At the rear there's a heated drinking yard with benches & umbrellas. The window from the bar opens into this area and is used as a serving hatch. When I called in last Friday there were more people sat outside than in the pub! I tried a pint of Slightly Foxed Fox Glove which was in good nick. It's definitely one of the better pubs in Tod.
On 3rd November 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paul johnson left this review about The Polished Knob
a good selection of good ales.[well looked after]Its one of the only good drinking places in Todmorden.Good luck to the landlord and his staff,long my they reign.
On 16th October 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 4 recommendations about 4 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about The Polished Knob
Recently re-opened after a ten-month hiatus, the Black Swan now rejoices under the rather suspect name of The Polished Knob. (‘Titter ye not missus’, as Frankie Howerd would undoubtedly have pleaded.) Having not visited before, it’s difficult to comment on all the changes that have taken place during the refurbishment, but I was told the (now) centrally positioned bar has been moved for one.
Essentially, it’s a medium size, one-roomed pub, with a predominantly cream and bleached wood interior, mostly pared back in the modern style. If I said there were halogen spots above the bar, small leather sofas and tub chairs you probably get the gist. However, there’s still an old fashioned fireplace, with an attractive tiled surround, plus more traditional chairs and tables, to the left of the bar. At the opposite end of the room there’s a decent sized stage, suggesting music plays a large part in things. That’s backed up by the chalk written gig list, on a blackboard, promoting future events. To the rear there’s an enclosed courtyard, which I’m sure would be a real suntrap if it weren’t for the fact it’s dominated by a smokers’ canopy. It also, bizarrely, features a basketball ring. (For those who like to ‘shoot a few hoops’ whilst enjoying a Silk Cut?)
According to the sign above the door it’s a free house, though three Thwaites beers were featured during our visit: ‘Bomber’, ‘Wainwright’ and ‘Nutty Black’. Also on offer were Old Bear ‘Honeypot’ and Bridestones’ ‘Polished Pint’ – which I should imagine is the house beer brewed down the road in Hebden. Normally ‘oldboots’ and I see eye to eye, but I felt the condition of my beer wasn’t that good. Trying the ‘Honeypot’ and ‘Nutty Black’, both were rather cold and the latter definitely on the turn. However, the young barmaid that served us was pleasant and welcoming. Atmosphere wise, it was a little restrained, possibly a little quiet for early Saturday evening. However, it may have well been the lull before the storm.
Overall, I thought it was a reasonable place, but nothing special. It may just need a little longer to find its feet and on that basis I’d probably give it a second chance, if in the area. However, there’s no need for any fanfares just yet, or, in the spirit of the name, the blowing of any horns.
On 28th September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 578 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Polished Knob
Formerly the Black Swan, reopened 2010 with a silly name but decent beer. It's an open plan room with the counter centre towards the back. One wall has two large cartoons of bare breasted women in a vaguely Roy Lichtenstein style; the other end of the room is dominated by a stage complete with mirror ball. Seating in the nude end is on tables and chairs with low tables and leather armchairs towards the stage area. There is a big screen at each end. The floor has a compass mosiac and the initials MBB, presumably a former owner brewery? Five handpulls on the counter, three of them with Thwaites beers the others with guests although one from Bridestones (Polished Pine) may have been a special for the pub or maybe just a bit of badge engineering. Which ever it is the beer was in fine condition.
On 28th September 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Wynne Route left this review about The Polished Knob
Boarded up with security shuttering
20091128
[admin note: marked pub as closed 29/11/09]
[Admin Note: reported reopened as The Polished Knob 26/9/10]
On 29th November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 350 recommendations about 335 pubs]