The Hop, Wakefield

As my local pub guide for the night quaintly put it, “p*ssed wrist” was beginning to set in by the time I reached the Hop after doing a hefty round of Wakefield watering holes so events and surroundings are somewhat blurred for the benefit of this review. The Hop is basically a pub cum live venue but it must be said that the latter does not distract from its approach to offering an excellent range of Real ales. My scrawl mentions 8 pumps (the web site says 9) but the contents now escape be suffice to say that there just a couple of common names among the selection with the rest made up mostly from local brewers. The interior has been refurbished but not in a posey way and still has a traditional feel to it. The main bar is divided into 2 by a brick arch. A small stage occupies the section away from the bar area whilst the bar itself I remember being quite small and I could imagine it being a bit cramped when the place is busy. Upstairs is a larger venue and dance studio which is a fairly recent addition but I did not get a chance to check it out. The place is obviously a healthy focal point for local music/dance/comedy scene and I understand may be the start of an expanding empire. Certainly a place to keep an eye on and it is a worthy addition to Wakefield’s Ale pubs but if you aren’t interested in the live offerings, a daytime visit is probably your best option.

An Ossett Brewery House offering Beer, Comedy and Live Music. Open 4- close Mon-Thu, 3 - close Fri 1200 - 1am Sat, 12-12 Sun.