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Detail Pages
Falstaff Tavern, Normanton, Derby
Derby
DE23 6UJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Falstaff Tavern
The Falstaff opened in November after a four month closure for refurbishment. This included stripping the old dark varnish off the wooden bar back and adding a new bar counter, reclaimed from a defunct pub. A new chimney piece now has pride of place in the first room I came to, its fantastically carved wood echoed in the figures, animals and other small carvings competing for space on high shelves in this room and the one next door. The flue-less gas fire keeps this stone-floored room warm, and there's another more conventional one in the next room, which extends further round the corner to where a purple-clothed pool table occupies some space in what might otherwise be thought of as the corridor leading to the toilets.
On the bar are four hand pumps, all serving beers (listed on a hymn board!) which apparently are brewed in the garage of the house next door. At the time of my visit these were 3 Faze, A Fistful of Hops, Phoenix and Smiling Assassin. The Assassin was tasty but perhaps a little tired, but the Phoenix was very good, and with beers priced between £2.30 and £2.60 a pint this is definitely a place to return to for a longer session.
On 21st November 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Falstaff Tavern
The Falstaff is a large victorian corner pub that is situated well into the back streets of Normanton.
This pub was originally an Ansells tied house with the dreaded squirrel keg boxes on the bar,things have improved quite a lot since my first few visit here.
Once inside there are a few different rooms,on my last visit here on a stag night we had a drink in the main bar area.
The pub is now home to Falstaff brewery and there are usually a few of their beers on the bar,i had a drink of Falstaff Fistfull of Hops which went down very well.
This is not the easiest pub to find,but once here you wont be dissapointed.
Pub first visited 10/12/1982
Photo taken 4/2/2006
On 28th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Falstaff Tavern
A very friendly pub this one and also serves fab beer. A difficult one to leave when you're enjoying their Falstaff ales and a good chat. I enjoyed A Fist Full of Hops and Phoenix. They are also proud of the ladies loos, which are quite way out in deco and was allowed a quick look, when vacant of course. Will defo return.
On 24th November 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Falstaff Tavern
Well worth the walk from central Derby but a good map is definitely needed to fin this pub round the terraced backstreets. A good selection of their own Falstaff brewery ales wer on and we sat in the room with the pool table admiring the various beer labels stuck to the wall that Falstaff have brwed in the past. Whilst the area was Ok during the day when we visited , we would certainly be a bit more cautious at night.
On 3rd June 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Falstaff Tavern
Situated a brisk stroll from the city centre, the Falstaff is one of Derby’s growing band of Brewpubs (they have been brewing Falstaff beers here since 2003). I am usually a bit sceptical when I read reviews saying how chatty and friendly certain pubs are but I can honestly say that we were deep in conversation with the locals before we even had so much as a pint in our hand such was the Falstaff's welcoming nature.
The main bar is quite small and basic with built in seats and plenty of bric a brac. The lobby between the two bars has details of the pub’s infamous paranormal activity with its interesting but rather spooky ghost stories and photos of orbs and unexplained misty objects floating around. The rear bar has an equally basic approach, suitably worn and weathered with more built in wooden seating, bare floors, an absorbing collection of wood carvings, barometers and a chimney breast plastered in beer stickers. Beyond is a games room with pool table, Guinness cartoons and other collectables (the display of beer clip pin badges is particularly worthy of note). The corridor to the loos contains old signs and adverts although the loos themselves it must be said are in need of a good overhaul. The second bar appeared to be rather cluttered and in the process of having work being done on it so it was little more than a quick glance although it appeared to be a cross between Arkwrights and Steptoe & Sons given all the artifacts and yet more collectable gumph. Outside is a small but quirky beer garden.
There were 4 ales available on my visit, all brewed in the microbrewery - Smiling Assassin, Fistful Of Hops, Phoenix and Cassandra of which I tried the first 2 (we were only supposed to be popping in for one). The very approachable and knowledgeable landlord will steer you through the selection. Of all the pubs in Derby we visited this was one of my favourites for its beers and friendliness and only let down by the poor state of the toilets and the not quite functioning second bar, something I have no doubt will be put right in due course if it hasn’t already. Not an immediate choice for the beer tourists due to it being a bit out of the way but highly recommended anyway.
On 29th October 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]