The Black Rock, Wakefield

A narrow street frontage which opens out, via a corridor with a few seats, into a larger room towards the rear, with another entrance from the back street. Originally a draper's shop, with living quarters upstairs, commemorated as the boyhood home of a future archbishop of Canterbury with a blue plaque on the building. There are some interesting features, including the front window and some good quality tiling, and I am surprised that it doesn't seem to have bothered Camra's heritage group. The bar counter faces towards the rear and has six hand pumps. I failed to note all the beers as I always go for the Tetley's Bitter when I call in here. It is, as I told the licensee, the best Tetley's I've had since the brewery in Leeds was abandoned. He's well aware how good it is, as he fired back "Best Tetley's in Yorkshire!" I must come back some time and try the other beers too. Acorn Gorlovka seems to be a regular and should make a perfect nightcap, and it's only a short stagger to Westgate station.

A cosy traditional pub with some old fittings and regulars, plus a good selection of beers and a barman (landlord?) who actually showed interest in them. Beware the surprise steps down to the gents, but there is a splendid urinal when you get there. On handpump were Stancill IPA, Oakham Citra, Roosters Baby Faced Assassin, Acorn Gorlovka Stout, Theakstons Summit and Tetley Cask. One of the better ale pubs in the centre.

The small frontage gives way to a small L-shaped interior with a traditional feel. A friendly enough pub with 6 handpulls dispensing a good variety of styles of real ale.

This is an old town local that has almost certainly been knocked into a single room at some point. It's a no frills sort of place consisting of a small L shaped room with a mix of tiles and carpets. There are mostly low benches tables and chairs and a TV screen on the left wall was turned off. There was quite a crowd in before midday on a Saturday. There are six hand pumps which had Taylor's Landlord, Banks's Tetley Bitter, Stancill Ventura Highway, Acorn Fiesta, Little Critters Nutty Ambassador and Oakham Citra. I went for the Nutty Ambassador (£3.50) which was in excellent condition and nice and cool. The fact it was cool was a boon as it's obviously an attempt to recreate a Ferrero Roche chocolate in a glass and I thought it was successful. I liked this place and was surprised to see on What Pub that it's owned by Heineken (Star Pubs). That means I've found two good ones in their estate. It's GBG 2018 listed.

A vibrant traditional boozer with plenty of people enjoying their Saturday evening with much good humour on our visit making for a fun and lively atmosphere. Beers on were Tetleys, VOG Dark Matter, Oakham Citra, Hobgoblin Gold and Moorhouse Pride of Pendle. Not necessarily the most exciting of Wakefield selections but perfectly acceptable and the Citra and Dark Matter both went down very well. Not to be missed if in Wakefield.

A classic boozer,with great exterior glazed tiling .There is a front section with a bay window,while the bar is in the rear with generous seating on fitted benches with stolls and some seperate tables.The flatscreens were turned off with nothing on,leaving a lively atmosphere and a good welcome.The interior may not be as impressive as the frontage but it feels very authentic and the 6 handpumps included a very good Oakham Citra,a perfect pub crawling quaff on a warm evening. It's rightly in the GBG ,the name refers to the local coal heritage and has nothing to do with Ireland or the asset management industry.One not to be missed on any trip to Wakefield,although mind the perilous descent to the gents with various trip hazards at the top.