Bar Review Town Street Tavern
Matt Andrews visits one of Horsforth's best drinking dens
Bar Review: Town Street Tavern
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On a street containing at least half a dozen of Horsforth’s pubs, you’d be forgiven for passing by Town Street Tavern in favour of some of the more ‘obvious’ venues. You’d also be something of a fool, however, for choosing to miss out on the town’s finest pub.
Stepping inside, you’re greeted with the kind of traditional and low-key surroundings beloved of anyone who enjoys going to the pub for a good pint, as opposed to just getting pissed as quickly as possible. There’s no blaring music and quiz machines, there isn’t a TV showing Sky Sports, and the food menu doesn’t have photographs of the meals on it. This, in short, is a classy and focused establishment, and it does what it’s good at: being a pub.
With the walls and ceiling covered in exotic-looking beer mats and posters, it’s clear this place is a connoisseur’s choice. Serving a variety of Belgian, German and British-brewed beer and ale (along with a nice selection of wine too), it’s a beer nerd’s paradise. We kick off with some fruity Leifmans, whose fancily-wrapped bottle comes with a raspberry kick, and a bottle of Kwak, a delicious liquorice-flavoured dark beer. Prices are reasonable, not to mention slightly cheaper than Leeds city centre’s famous drinking dens.
Behind us at a table is a group of locals apparently running a French class; a testament to the pub’s relaxed and upmarket atmosphere - try doing this in a Wetherspoons. It’s not all fancy beers and Guardian readers though - there’s a menu of hearty pub food that’s genuinely good, with the pub boasting an upstairs brasserie area specifically for the quality grub.
In the summer the place is likely to be filled with keen drinkers as the outdoor al fresco area opens up, but even in these cold winter months it’s a good choice, with snug corners and warm surroundings to get comfortable in. With the 50 bus service passing literally outside its door, and a 15 minute train from town stopping just up the road, you’ve got no excuse: get yourself to Town Street.
Posted on Wednesday 3rd February 2010
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