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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Without doubt the best quality beer on my visit to Lincoln. Though I'm not suggesting I tried every pub with real ale before reaching this conclusion. An example might make this clear: I had a half of Timothy Taylor Landlord in the White Hart earlier in the day, a lovely hotel but a very poor beer. Later, I had the same beer in a GBG pub to the east of the city centre: no pub that features in the guide should ever serve a beer as bad as that one. So when I saw the same beer on the bar here it was a kind of test, though I also had the house beer, brewed by Pheasantry. Both of these were so good that I checked my walking distance to the station and decided I also had time for Acorn Winter Pale. All were beers in tremendous condition. And yes, I caught my train ok. But this pub deserves a return visit.
On 21st February 2024
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Steve C left this review about The Cardinals Hat
The Cardinal’s Hat resides in a 15th century building, and there is a boast of this being Lincoln’s oldest pub. There were at least eight cask ales and ciders available, under advisement from the very friendly barmaid I ended up with a very nice chocolate stout. I was going to photograph the drinks menu, that is printed in newspaper style, but being the last pub of the day I forgot. The bar is L-shaped with seating areas to the left and rear. I didn’t visit the advertised roof garden. This pub is located in party town, so the likes of Be at One are just over the way, but this place had a good atmosphere during my recent late midweek evening visit. It may get a bit busy for the likes of me at the weekend though. I’m partial to a bit of funk and I managed to find a spot to plot in by the front window so I enjoyed my visit. I will certainly revisit when next in Lincoln, just maybe a little earlier in the evening.
On 7th May 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Drawn by the 2022 GBG entry but in the part of town where there are many young drinker chain pubs we wern't quite sure what would await us.
The timber framed pub is clearly old,while the interior has had a gentle modern makeover but has retained a multi level interior with different sections.The L shaped bar is surrounded by some high tables but also bench seating,the far wall is made up of distressed doors but the other sides have exposed old stonework.Beyond the doors there is a higher rear snug before the loos,while on the otherside of the pub there is a raised library section with a tartan carpet and high backed chairs.Outside there are a few metal tables and chairs,so overall it's a pleasing mix of modern ,traditional and old.The soundtrack was well chosen and not too loud.
It is vital to visit both sides of the bar to see the full ale selection as they will rotate rapidly.On entering our eye's were caught by the Thornbridge Jaipur clip but were dismayed when it was reversed.No problem for it was replaced after cleaning by Salopian Kinetic (NBSS 4.5).The other ales on my trip were Rat White Rat (NBSS 4.5),Tiny Rebel Astro Loaf (NBSS 3),Redemption Big Chief,TT Landlord,Adnams Mosaic and Ossett /Kirkstall Pale Session.There were 4 real ciders and 7 kegs from respected craft keg brewers.The staff were chatty ,very helpful for local knowledge and serious about their beer.
This pub is not scared to offer high strength ales,a mix of styles and good quality keg beers.This is a must visit in Lincoln,it was the crews first and last stop in lower Lincoln and helpfully situated just before the Steep Hill.However ascent maybe tricky if you really swing the bat at their excellent ale.
On 3rd July 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Upmarket GBG alehouse, with several different seating / dining areas on slightly different levels (this building being at the lower end of Steep Hill). Easily the busiest pub I've been to since the end of the coronavirus lockdown, but there were plenty of staff on hand to do the table service and other formalities. Excellent choice of eight real ales - including a fine Rudgate Ruby Mild (£3.80) - plus four draft ciders.
On 3rd June 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Having walked down Lincoln's Steep Hill, whilst smugly watching those struggling up it, I was looking forward to a visit to what is one of Lincoln's older buildings.
Unfortunately, I arrived to find the bouncers refusing entry to another couple. I was also told that the pub was full. But I asked if I could wait for a table to become free and this was accepted.
After a wait of around 5 minutes, I was allowed in and directed to an outdoor roof terrace through the rear door, where I was told that there was standing room.
I did managed to spy a few of the beers and ciders as I walked through and whilst not allowed to sit inside, could see that each of the rooms are fairly small.
The ale range I could see was Fernandes Black Voodoo, Milestone West Coast IPA, Ridgeside Nothing From Nothing, Adnams Ghost Ship & Rat White Rat. Ciders were Weston's Old Rosie, Orchard Pig Maverick, Snail's Bank Rhubarb Cider & Lilley's Mango Cider.
The roof terrace was cold. But all of the tables were free. I was only accompanied by 5 very drunk youths who were content to fight one another, including on the floor, whilst happily smashing glasses.
Needless to say, this wasn't the most relaxing of places to spend time. So, I drank up and left pretty quickly. It's a shame, as the building itself is nice and the beer and cider range was probably the best I found in Lincoln on this visit. But the pub is clearly too popular for its own good.
On 23rd September 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Cardinals Hat
A good looking pub, both inside and outside. The main room is L shaped and there are three small snugs at the front and rear. Lots of reclaimed wood around the place. 8 handpumps with a decent range of beers and strengths. My pint was in good nick and Ms CAMRA liked her red wine. We called in here twice during our two days in Lincoln.
On 14th August 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Decent enough place with the bar to the middle & left. Further room to the left. Decent strength real ales on offer.
On 17th July 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Cardinals Hat
Billed as the oldest pub in Lincoln and recently brought back to that use, it has an L shaped counter serving two rooms, there are two small snugs to the left, one rather Scottish baronial in decor, and at the rear is another little snug up a few steps. The whole place is a mix of ancient and modern in most respects. There are four pulls on the front counter and four more with different beers round the corner, there are also another four devoted to cider. The Gents is labeled "Dandies", I didn't check out the Ladies.
On 31st May 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]