The Hop, Wakefield

The Hop is a relatively new multipurpose enterprise that operates as a live music and comedy venue, dance studio and, perhaps most importantly, real ale pub. Located at the end of a cobbled side street in a large Georgian building, the smart, modern interior initially feels a little incongruous, having not yet achieved that 'lived-in' look that might give it more character. The main bar is dominated by bare brick walls and has a mix of flagstone and wooden flooring. There are some banquettes opposite the bar counter on the right hand side of the room, with regular tables and chairs throughout the rest of the space. The left hand side of the room has a stage at the far end, underneath huge portraits of Johnny Rotten, Ian Curtis and Tom Waits - inspiration perhaps for the roster of local bands that play here most Friday and Saturday nights. Heading out though the door between the stage and bar, a large portrait of the band 'Embrace' hangs in the corridor and acts as a reminder that the venue is partly the brainchild of the band's drummer, Mike Heaton. Stairs here lead up to the main venue, which has already hosted a good number of up and coming and well established acts in its short lifespan. For those arriving on a music night, but wanting a place of refuge, there is a rear room on the ground floor, with some banquette seating, a fireplace containing an old range and generally smart decor including a large circular mirror above the fireplace. Additional seating is also available in a fair sized courtyard at the front of the building. The venue has been backed by Ossett Brewery, so there was no surprise to find a number of their beers on the bar - Yorkshire Blonde, Silver King, Excelsior and Riverhead Easy River Pale - but these were supplemented by a healthy guest selection of Oldershaw Blonde Voluptua, Burton Bridge Sovereign Gold, Fullers London Pride and Titanic Iceberg, with those sampled being in good condition. This place seems an unlikely source of good beer, but there is no doubt that it's one of the town's top ale houses. It's refreshing to see a live music venue take such an interest in its beer policy and I can only hope they make a great success of it and that the model is taken up by other such venues around the country.

There's not much to add to the usual masterful reviews from the esteemed trio below, sadly no young female staff just an eclectic bunch of drinkers, a friendly barman and a roadie setting up for that night's music when I dropped in before catching a train from the station almost opposite. It is quite small in the front bar so I can well imagine that it can get rammed, not just for the music, comedy and Westgate Runners but those in search of a good pint of Ossett or one of the guests from the 9 pulls, it also does a couple of decent European beers. I'm not a great fan of exposed bricks and too new flag floors but I'll forgive Ossett their conversion style as it's usually well done by them and the beer's good giving it a justified place in the Good Beer Guide 2011.

Spread over two floors, with live music and comedy well-advertised, this pub offers a super selection of ale (9 I recall, including the sublime Rutland Panther on my visit) along with some Ossett brews and a good selection of continental beers, served well by friendly bar staff. Perhaps more a bar than a pub but don't let that put you off, it's an enjoyably mixed crowd here. Enjoy the paved area out the front for an al fresco pint (if the sun ever shines in Wakefield?). A most worthwhile visit, definitely put it on the 'to do' list if in town. I shall be back at some point.

Still a relative newcomer to the Wakefield drinking scene, The Hop is a joint venture between Ossett Brewery and Embrace drummer Mike Heaton. It’s a multi-purpose venue on two floors, featuring regular music and comedy nights, as well as incorporating a dance studio. (Original promotional features also suggested The Hop was going to house a fish and chip restaurant! Fortunately, that seems to have died a death). Most important of all, it’s also a fine addition to the local real ale trail. Situated down a side street, just off Westgate, it’s a fine old nineteenth century brick building that has been renovated and refurbished to a high standard, as one has come to expect from Ossett. The bar area is quite narrow, with a small raised stage at one end. It does feel as though it needs more seating, but I guess standing room is deemed more important when bands are playing regularly. The room behind the bar is all exposed brickwork, art-deco prints and a huge ornate mirror above the fireplace. It has a relaxing feel to it, but doesn’t quite work as a quiet alternative to the bar. There are nine real ales on the go, usually four from Ossett / Fernandes and five guests. Beer quality is excellent, as in all the Ossett pubs I’ve been to. Two fantastic pints in Crouch Vale ‘Brewer’s Gold’ and Fernandes ‘Magnu’, on this visit. Staff are predominantly female, young and friendly. It makes such a difference when you get a welcoming smile on entering a bar. I’ve visited quite a few times now and The Hop usually has a good, chilled atmosphere. On the whole, it seems to attract an older, more mature crowd and Hallelujah to that. However, at the weekend it also attracts the younger ‘Westgate Runners’ and can get absolutely rammed. The standard of the music acts, in the bar, does seem to have become a little more variable of late. (Although that could be a question of personal taste.) This raises the one real weakness of the venue for me: If a band’s not to your liking, there’s no quiet spot to escape to. A paved area in front of the entrance caters for outdoor drinking, with a more enclosed area to the side. It’s particularly attractive when lit up at night. Despite some reservations about the music, it remains one of my favourite Wakefield watering holes. Recommended.