City Guides
Wakefield
Pubs and Bars
Wakefield town centre nightlife has much to offer, and justly attracts a lot of weekend tourism. There is a vast array of clubs, pubs and wine bars to choose from, with all musical tastes catered for. A number of bars have recently been granted late licenses, and with many more applications currently being assessed and new bars opening up every month, nightlife in the city is only going to get busier.
As well as all the usual chain pubs and leading franchises, Wakefield has a selection of real ale pubs and local microbreweries.
The 500-yard long Westgate in Wakefield was traditionally known as the longest stretch of adjacent pubs and bars in England, and it still exists today. The stretch of pubs, clubs and fast food restaurants is locally known as the Westgate Run, and comprise a pub-crawl familiar to many young people in the north.
As Mary Creagh, Wakefield MP, put it: “There is something called the Westgate run, in which people start at the bottom of the Westgate area and walk up to the top, pausing to drink in the many pubs on the way. I have never managed to complete it.”
There are currently more than twenty pubs on Westgate, including the Black Horse, Harry’s Bar, The Redoubt, The Union and Yates Wine Lodge. Many of these pubs, including the Elephant and Castle, were built in the nineteenth century. The Elephant and Castle is a classic pub, serving quality meals at lunchtime and with live music and DJs on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.
Harry’s Bar, on the Westgate Run, is a popular real ale pub, voted Pub of the Spring Season by CAMRA last year. The pub is actually down a side street, off the Westgate road, and opposite the Wakefield Westgate train station. The pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide, and frequently praised for its relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.
Regarded as the start of the Westgate Run is The Redoubt on Horbury Road. The pub is cozy and traditional, separated into snugs, lounges and a games room. High quality real ale is served in a warm atmosphere, and the completely unrefurbished bar is decorated with Rugby League memorabilia.
The Union, also on Horbury Road, is another good place to start the Westgate Run. There is a wide selection of beers, cocktails and wines on offer, and food is served during the day. There are pool tables, darts and dominoes, as well as screening of all the major pay-per-view sporting events. The pub is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more up-market drinkers, there is Escobar on Queen Street. This student-friendly bar hosts live music events and DJs, with drinks a little expensive. There is also Mex, a two-floored cocktail bar with indoor and outdoor seating on Market Street. Bar staff pride themselves on a welcoming atmosphere. Drinks are cheap and the décor is stylish. Pink Lizard in the Bull Ring is another choice; an up-market café-bar, serving food in the day, with cocktails and funky house or R’n’B DJs at night.
As well as all the usual chain pubs and leading franchises, Wakefield has a selection of real ale pubs and local microbreweries.
The 500-yard long Westgate in Wakefield was traditionally known as the longest stretch of adjacent pubs and bars in England, and it still exists today. The stretch of pubs, clubs and fast food restaurants is locally known as the Westgate Run, and comprise a pub-crawl familiar to many young people in the north.
As Mary Creagh, Wakefield MP, put it: “There is something called the Westgate run, in which people start at the bottom of the Westgate area and walk up to the top, pausing to drink in the many pubs on the way. I have never managed to complete it.”
There are currently more than twenty pubs on Westgate, including the Black Horse, Harry’s Bar, The Redoubt, The Union and Yates Wine Lodge. Many of these pubs, including the Elephant and Castle, were built in the nineteenth century. The Elephant and Castle is a classic pub, serving quality meals at lunchtime and with live music and DJs on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights.
Harry’s Bar, on the Westgate Run, is a popular real ale pub, voted Pub of the Spring Season by CAMRA last year. The pub is actually down a side street, off the Westgate road, and opposite the Wakefield Westgate train station. The pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide, and frequently praised for its relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.
Regarded as the start of the Westgate Run is The Redoubt on Horbury Road. The pub is cozy and traditional, separated into snugs, lounges and a games room. High quality real ale is served in a warm atmosphere, and the completely unrefurbished bar is decorated with Rugby League memorabilia.
The Union, also on Horbury Road, is another good place to start the Westgate Run. There is a wide selection of beers, cocktails and wines on offer, and food is served during the day. There are pool tables, darts and dominoes, as well as screening of all the major pay-per-view sporting events. The pub is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more up-market drinkers, there is Escobar on Queen Street. This student-friendly bar hosts live music events and DJs, with drinks a little expensive. There is also Mex, a two-floored cocktail bar with indoor and outdoor seating on Market Street. Bar staff pride themselves on a welcoming atmosphere. Drinks are cheap and the décor is stylish. Pink Lizard in the Bull Ring is another choice; an up-market café-bar, serving food in the day, with cocktails and funky house or R’n’B DJs at night.
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