Skip to main content

Pump Action

It might be a new pub, but Halifax's latest revives the name of a well-loved old favourite .

The PumpRoom Micro pub, situated in an old Army recruitment office on Northgate, just across from the bus station, takes its name from the recently demolished old pub on New Road. This was a firm favourite with the real ale drinkers of Halifax for many years, being a regular port of call before and after the football when it was run by Eddie Geater. It had originally been called the Druid's Arms, and then was re-named the Overdraught when it became part of Jim Wright's TFC empire back in the 80's. It was a dependable source for a pint of great beer for many years, although it sadly declined to a shadow of its former self before closing. 

Some of the artefacts, including a door from the old pub have been incorporated into the new place. and the new PumpRoom is a stylish one room micro pub, but with a cavernous cellar.

There are 6 hand pumps, which this weekend have featured some great beers from the likes of Cross Bay, Vocation, Mallinsons, and Millstone. All the beers I have tried when I have popped in have been in tip top condition. Landlord Tony - who amongst other things has been a bus driver - is a real ale enthusiast who used to brew his own and may use some of the space downstairs to do it again for the pub. 

Behind the bar are glass panels with 4 shelves, the lower 3 hosting the barrels of ale whilst the top shelf has the real cider. Because of the weight involved, there is a pulley system and pull-out drawer-like runners for each of the the barrels to make them easier to move.

It features subdued lighting and is very tastefully done out with several quirky features, conversation holds sway, and there is a very chilled vibe to the place. Unlike a lot of micros, spirits are available but seemed to be aimed at the discerning punter with the likes of Laphroiag and Edinburgh Gin on the shelf. Like me, there are lots of people who have just popped in for a pint and then come back again. Indeed, I met a guy from Hawarden in North Wales on Friday who was staying in Halifax for the weekend, and when I went back in on Saturday he turned up again!

It is a very welcome addition to the Halifax real ale scene and with this and the Grayston Unity two minutes walk away it means there are two cracking places for beer in a part of town that was previously a beer desert. 

So, whether you are waiting for a bus, or heading off for a meal at many of the close-by eateries, or off to see a film, you now have another option where you can have a decent drink. I offer Tony and his wife Julie my congratulations on opening up a superb little pub, and wish them all the best for the future....




The PumpRoom Micropub, 33 Northgate, Halifax HX1 1UR

Comments

  1. Going to try and get there asap. Sounds like a good spot. As I've said many times before.... The more places like us and Grayston and Victorian and Market and now the pump room that open and more importantly stay open the better. I wish Tony and Julie all the best and look forward to meeting them soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Totally agree, Hugh, the beer scene in Halifax has picked up considerably in Halifax thanks to guys like yourself!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Calder Valley Ale Trail - UPDATED December 2023

The essential guide to the pubs and bars that line the railways in the towns and villages of the beautiful Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, an area which has a lot to offer and captivate the visitor. Here's the latest, updated version.... The original Rail Ale Trail heads through the Pennines from Dewsbury through Huddersfield to Stalybridge, or vice versa, depending on your starting point. Made famous by Oz Clarke and James May on a TV drinking trip around Britain several years ago, it reached saturation point on weekends to such an extent that lager and shorts were banned by some pubs and plastic glasses introduced to the hordes of stag dos, hen parties, and fancy-dressed revellers that invaded the trans-Pennine towns and villages. There are some great pubs en route and whilst things have calmed down from a few years ago, they can still get very busy on a summer Saturday in particular. However, only a few miles away to the north, there is another trail possible which takes in s

1872 And All That....

News has broken over the past few days that Elland Brewery, famous for their 1872 Porter which was voted the Champion Beer Of Britain in 2023 have ceased trading. And with other breweries also struggling, the upheavals I wrote about last month are showing no signs of letting up.... I was out with some friends last Saturday afternoon, celebrating one of our number's birthday. With the drinks and conversation flowing as we enjoyed a most enjoyable catch up, we were joined by another friend who mentioned that he'd been out a little earlier and had heard a story from a good source in one of the local pubs that Elland Brewery who, a mere 6 months ago had won Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival for their flagship 1872 Porter, had gone bust. During a break in the conversation, I scoured Google for news about Elland Brewery. Nothing, apart from that win at the GBBF last year. I mentioned it to a couple of people when I was working at the Meandering Bear in Halif

A Few York Classics....

In which I venture on a whistle-stop tour around some of the finest pubs that are to be found in this beautiful and historic North Yorkshire city.... I have visited York twice in the past month. First time was on a day out from Halifax with the team from the Grayston Unity/Meandering Bear on a beautiful winter's day with bright sunshine, blue skies, and bitterly cold temperatures; the second was an overnight stop to see one of the country's top up and coming indie bands, with grey skies on the first day and heavy rain on the second. Whilst due to the number in our party we were only able to visit two or three pubs on that visit, the second did give me the opportunity to do a trawl of several of the city's finest pubs, although it has to be said that because of the number of pubs there are in the city it can only be a snapshot view of  some of them. And as I was reminded, whilst there are several great pubs in the city centre, it is important to bear in mind that it is in th