09/05/26 – Halifax

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Halifax, History & Handpulls: A Brilliant Day Around the Town’s Pubs

I headed over to Halifax for a full day exploring some of the town’s brilliant pubs and bars, each with its own bit of history and character. From the grand setting of The Piece Hall at Hop Yard to the cosy corners of places like Three Pigeons and Ring O’ Bells, every stop felt welcoming in its own way. I enjoyed chatting with staff and other drinkers along the way, with plenty of great cask ales and craft beers to choose from throughout the day. Halifax really impressed me with how its historic buildings and modern beer scene sit so comfortably side by side, making it a fantastic place to spend time wandering between pubs.

Halifax began as a small settlement built around the old parish church, now known as Halifax Minster. Over time, the town became famous for making and trading woollen cloth, with weavers working across the hills around the town. Halifax grew quickly during the Industrial Revolution, when large mills, factories and railways brought work and new people into the area. One of the best reminders of that time is The Piece Hall, opened in 1779 as a place for cloth merchants to trade. Today, Halifax still holds onto much of its history, mixing old stone buildings and historic pubs with independent shops, bars and modern town life.

The Hop Yard

Yesterday I headed over to Halifax and started the day at The Hop Yard . Set inside The Piece Hall, Hop Yard sits within one of Britain’s most remarkable surviving cloth halls. Opened in 1779, the vast courtyard and its 300-plus rooms were built so handloom weavers could trade woollen cloth directly with merchants. As the textile industry declined, the building shifted into general market use and later fell into disrepair. A major restoration brought it back to life in 2017, carefully preserving its history while giving it a new purpose. Today, Hop Yard is part of that story, offering a warm place to gather inside a space shaped by centuries of trade and change.

Inside, Hop Yard feels modern and comfortable while still sitting naturally within the grand stone arches of The Piece Hall. The seating is a mix of tables, chairs and high stools, giving people plenty of space to settle in for a drink or a catch-up. Warm lighting and darker wood tones help soften the historic surroundings, while the arched windows and open layout keep a connection to the courtyard outside. The outdoor seating area stretches beneath covered canopies in the square itself, making it a great place to sit and take in the scale and atmosphere of one of Halifax’s most recognisable historic buildings.

A selection of 2 cask ales on the bar, alongside a wide range of keg options to choose from.  I went for Ossett Blonde by Ossett Brewery, a blonde ale with delicate citrus notes and a light, refreshing finish.

Hop In

My next visit in Halifax was to Hop In – Craft Beer Halifax. Hop In began life in 2023 inside Halifax Borough Market, starting as a small bottle shop and micro-bar focused on cans, bottles and a couple of changing draught lines. It quickly built a loyal following for its well-chosen craft beer and real cider. In 2024, it moved to larger premises on Union Street, where it expanded its offer while keeping the same friendly, relaxed feel. Today, it’s a well-liked part of Halifax’s modern beer scene, known for good drinks and a warm welcome.

Inside, Hop In feels warm and full of character, with shelves packed tightly with cans, bottles and cider from floor to ceiling. Wooden tables and bench seating give it a relaxed, comfortable feel, while pump clips, posters and brewery signs add plenty of personality without making the place feel cluttered. Large front windows let in lots of natural light downstairs, creating a bright and welcoming space to settle in with a drink. Upstairs, there’s a quieter seating area with soft cushions, framed local pictures and low lighting, giving it a cosy corner away from the busier main room.

It was great chatting to Nick and Karen again who gave a brilliant warm welcome. Drinks wise a choice of 2 cask ales, 3 keg lines, a selection of ciders plus a choice of hundreds of bottles and cans to drink in or takeaway. Spoilt for choice! I went for Hop Plug! Krush by The Three Legs Brewing Co., a pale ale with juicy tropical hop notes and a bright, fruity finish.

Meandering Bear

A minutes walk down the road was Meandering Bear. Meandering Bear takes its name from a genuine local story dating back to the early 1910s, when Halifax briefly had a small zoo in Siddal just before the First World War. Around 1913, a bear escaped and wandered through the town before being recaptured, a tale that has lingered in local memory ever since. The bar itself is much newer, opening on Union Street in September 2019, giving a quiet nod to that unusual and slightly forgotten chapter of Halifax’s past.

Inside feels modern, comfortable and easy to settle into, with warm wood panelling, soft lighting and plenty of relaxed seating spread through the space. Large front windows bring in lots of natural light during the day, while darker tones and low lighting give it a cosy feel later on. There’s a mix of tables, padded chairs, booth seating and quieter corners, so it works just as well for a quiet drink as it does for catching up with friends. Little touches like the bear story painted onto the wall and the artwork around the pub help give it a bit of personality without overdoing it.

Drink wise a great line up of 5 cask ales alongside a choice of craft keg lines in a range of styles. I went for Brewed Awakening by Half Moon Brewery, a golden ale with light citrus notes and a smooth, refreshing finish.

Victorian Craft Beer Cafe

Victorian Craft Beer Cafe was up next. Victorian Craft Beer Café opened in 2014, becoming one of the early independent bars in Halifax’s town centre as it began to change and grow. Set just behind the Victoria Theatre, the building itself had previously been used as a café before its transformation. From the start, it stood out for bringing a more continental style into the town, helping shape a new wave of independent venues. Over time, the space has been gradually opened up and extended into adjoining areas, but it has kept the same character it started with, remaining a steady part of Halifax’s modern pub scene.

Inside feels warm, characterful and a little bit tucked away from the outside world. Dark wood panelling, shelves packed with books, framed prints and soft lighting give it the feel of an old reading room mixed with a traditional beer café. Large front windows bring in plenty of natural light during the day, while smaller corners and booths make it easy to settle in quietly. Seating is a mix of old wooden chairs, benches and armchairs spread across different levels and spaces, helping the place feel relaxed and comfortable rather than formal. It has plenty of charm without feeling forced.

A fantastic choice of both cask and keg lines to choose from, varying in style and strength. I went for Journey’s End by BRBC, a collaboration with The Five Points Brewing Company. It’s an English pale ale with light citrus flavour and a smooth finish.

The New Royal Oak

Another short walk brought me to The New Royal Oak, Halifax. The New Royal Oak on Clare Road has a long connection to Halifax’s pub history. The current Grade II-listed building opened in July 1931, replacing an older Royal Oak coaching inn that once stood at Ward’s End on the main route out of town. Built in a striking mock-Tudor style for Thomas Ramsden & Son, parts of the structure were made using timbers salvaged from HMS Newcastle, giving the pub an unusual story of its own. Over the years it has traded under different names, including Dirty Dick’s and Tap & Spile, before becoming The New Royal Oak. Today, it remains a familiar and characterful Halifax town-centre pub.

Inside has the feel of a proper old Halifax pub that has been well looked after without losing its character. Dark wood panelling, stained-glass windows and heavy beams give the room a warm, traditional look, while green leather bench seating wraps around the walls and creates comfortable corners to settle into. Old fireplaces, framed signs and football shirts add a personal touch that suits the building well. The layout feels open but still cosy, with a gentle hum of conversation carrying through the room. It’s relaxed, friendly and the sort of place where people naturally linger over another drink.

A great selection of 7 cask ales to choose between on the bar, along with a variety of keg options. I went for Vivid Dimension by Wensleydale Brewery, a pale ale with bright tropical hop notes and a fresh, fruity finish.

Three Pigeons

Just down the road was The Three Pigeons. Three Pigeons has a clear and well-recorded history, opening in 1932 when it was built by Webster’s Brewery to replace an earlier pub on the site. It was designed by local architects Jackson & Fox in the Art Deco style, which was popular at the time. Much of the original layout and features have survived, and the building is now Grade II listed for its historic interior. Today, it is owned by Ossett Brewery, which has carefully restored and maintained the building while keeping its strong connection to its 1930s roots.

Inside feels full of character, with its Art Deco roots still easy to spot in the patterned seating, tiled fireplaces, dark wood panelling, and curved snug areas. Each room has its own feel, from quiet corners with small round tables to the larger bar area lined with traditional handpumps and shelves of glassware. Soft lighting, framed prints, and old mirrors give the place a warm, settled atmosphere without feeling heavy or formal. The separate spaces make it feel calm even when busy, and there’s a cosy, lived-in quality throughout that suits the building perfectly.

A fantastic line up of 7 cask ales alongside a choice of keg options. I went for The Rat Of Khan by The Rat Brewery, a golden ale with fruity hop notes and a smooth, easy finish.

The Grayston Unity

Heading back into the centre brought me onto The Grayston Unity. Grayston Unity has its roots in a much smaller bar that first opened nearby in May 2016, quickly becoming known for its tiny size and close-knit feel. The current site on Horton Street opened in October 2023, after the business moved into a larger building dating back to the 1860s, originally used as a County Court with carriage access at ground level. Before becoming a bar, the space saw various uses over the years, reflecting the changing life of Halifax town centre. Today’s venue carries forward the spirit of that original small bar into a bigger, characterful home.

Inside feels colourful, relaxed and full of personality. The long bar mixes exposed brick, bare wood and shelves packed with unusual objects, while vintage lamps and soft lighting give the place a warm glow. Around the rooms, you’ll find mismatched chairs, old sofas, framed artwork, music posters and quirky little details tucked into every corner. The front area is bright during the day thanks to the huge windows, while upstairs has quieter snug-style rooms with armchairs, artwork and a more tucked-away feel. There’s also a smart roof terrace outside, adding another cosy spot to settle in with a drink and watch the world drift by.

5 cask ales to choose from on the bar, alongside a wide range of craft keg options to choose from. I went for Pot of Gold by Sunbeam Ales, a golden ale with light citrus notes and a bright, refreshing finish.

Dukes

My next visit was to Dukes Halifax. Dukes is a modern microbar set within the Victorian Market Arcade, part of Halifax’s historic Borough Market complex. The arcade itself dates back to the 19th century, reflecting the town’s long trading heritage, with covered walkways and small independent units. Dukes is a much newer addition, opening in the early 2020s as part of a growing wave of independent bars in the town centre. Its setting inside the old arcade links it to Halifax’s past as a busy market town, while the venue itself represents a fresh chapter within one of its most established indoor spaces.

Inside feels bright, creative and full of character, with colourful walls, hanging lights and artwork covering almost every corner. Large arched windows look out into the Market Arcade, bringing in plenty of natural light and keeping the space connected to the bustle outside. Downstairs has a relaxed mix of benches, stools and small tables tucked beneath strings of decorations and plants, while the upstairs seating area feels a little calmer, with long window seats and high tables looking across the arcade below. Old signs, quirky objects and bits of music and skate culture give it a fun, lived-in feel that’s warm and easy to settle into.

4 cask ales on the bar, alongside a wide choice of craft keg options. Even more choice available in the fridge full of cans and bottles. I went for Rockport by Weekend Project, a pale ale with juicy citrus and tropical hop notes and a soft, fruity finish.

København

Next was onto KØBENHAVN. København is a modern bar that opened in August 2019 within the historic Westgate Arcade, a covered shopping arcade close to the Piece Hall. The name, using the Danish spelling of Copenhagen, reflects its Scandinavian influence and links to its sister venue, the Victorian Craft Beer Café. While the bar itself is new, it sits within a much older arcade setting, blending into a part of Halifax that has long been a centre for small shops and social spaces, bringing a fresh idea into a well-established part of the town.

København has a bright, airy interior with a relaxed Scandinavian feel that comes across straight away. The space is spread across a few gentle levels, giving it an open layout without ever feeling too large. Pale walls, light wood flooring, and clean-lined furniture keep everything looking fresh and uncluttered, while soft lighting and touches of colour add warmth. Seating ranges from small tables to bench-style areas, making it easy to settle in whether it’s busy or quiet. Framed prints and modern fittings give the room a contemporary edge, but it still feels comfortable and welcoming rather than formal.

On the bar a selection of 6 cask ales alongside a huge and varied range of craft keg options. I went for Onwards by Zapato, a pale ale with bright citrus hops and a clean, refreshing finish.

Vocation & Co

Around the corner brought me to Vocation & Co. Halifax. Vocation & Co Halifax is a modern venue that opened in November 2022, bringing the Vocation Brewery brand into Halifax town centre. The building itself has an older past, having once been an Art Deco cinema, a link still reflected in the upstairs space known as “The Projectionist.” Over the years, the site has seen different uses as the town centre evolved, before being transformed into its current form. Today, the venue keeps a quiet connection to that earlier life, blending a new chapter into a building with a long and changing story.

Inside has a bright, spacious interior that makes the most of the building’s former cinema scale. High ceilings, exposed beams, and large windows help the space feel open and airy, while different levels break things up into smaller seating areas that still feel connected. Pale walls, warm wood flooring, and soft lighting give it a relaxed, modern feel without losing character. There’s a mix of long tables, booths, and tucked-away corners, with plants and artwork adding a bit of warmth around the room. Upstairs, the rooftop terrace offers a quieter outdoor space with wooden seating and a sheltered layout that works well even on cooler days.

It was fantastic bumping into Mark, Chris, Russ and Scott from Wakefield CAMRA . On the bar a choice of 5 cask ales alongside a wide variety of keg options varying in style and strength. I went for Across the Pond by Vocation Brewery, an American pale ale with citrus and pine hop notes and a bold, bitter finish.

Mamil Cafe Bar

Next up was to MAMIL Café Bar. Mamil Café Bar is a recent addition to Halifax’s town centre, opening in March 2024 as a sister venue to an existing site in Brighouse. The name comes from the tongue-in-cheek term “MAMIL” (Middle Aged Men in Lycra), reflecting its cycling-inspired theme and roots. Set along Commercial Street, a long-established part of the town centre, the venue brings a fresh chapter to the area, adding another independent spot to Halifax’s growing scene while keeping its identity closely tied to cycling culture.

Inside, it feels bright, relaxed and full of character, with the cycling theme woven naturally through the space rather than overpowering it. Bikes mounted on the exposed brick walls sit alongside vintage cycling prints and colourful artwork, giving it a friendly, slightly playful feel. Large front windows bring in plenty of natural light during the day, while warm hanging lamps soften things in the evening. Seating is varied, with leather booths, small tables, sofas and benches spread across the open layout. Wooden flooring, plants and darker painted walls help balance the modern touches, creating a comfortable place that feels welcoming and easy to settle into.

A choice of 2 cask ales are available on the bar here, alongside a choice of keg options on the back bar. I went for Bread & Butter by Vocation Brewery, a pale ale with light citrus and pine notes and a smooth, balanced finish.

The Old Post Office

A short walk brought me onto The-Old Post-Office Halifax. Old Post Office has one of the longest stories of any pub in Halifax, with its origins going back to around 1790 when the building first served as the town’s original post office. Over time, as the town grew and services moved on, the building was turned into a public house, keeping its place in local life. It has remained in use ever since, adapting along the way while holding onto its historic character. Today, it stands as a reminder of Halifax’s earlier days, with a past rooted in everyday town life.

Inside has a warm, comfortable interior that feels settled and familiar rather than modern or flashy. Soft grey tones, cushioned bench seating, and wooden flooring give the room a relaxed feel, while large windows let in plenty of natural light during the day. Around the walls, framed sports shirts, trophies, and old Post Office signs add a personal touch and hint at the pub’s local connections. Tables are spread out with enough space to sit comfortably, and the lighting stays gentle and calm. Altogether, it feels friendly, easy-going, and somewhere people return to regularly for a quiet drink and chat.

A choice of 2 cask ales were available on the bar along with a wide choice of keg options. I went for Ronnie Pickering Pale (Do You Know Who I Am) by Empire Brewing, a pale ale with citrus hop flavour and a bright, easy finish.

The Ring O’ Bells

My final visit in Halifax was to The Ring O’ Bells – Halifax. Ring O’ Bells on Upper Kirkgate is widely regarded as Halifax’s oldest licensed pub, with an inn believed to have stood on the site since at least the 15th century, and possibly earlier. Before becoming the Ring O’ Bells, it was known as the “Sign of the Church”, reflecting its close ties to the nearby Minster and the bell ringers who are thought to have used the pub regularly. The present building dates largely from around 1720, although much older parts are believed to survive beneath it. A headstone dated 1635 is built into one of the cellar walls, adding another reminder of the pub’s long and layered history in Halifax.

Inside feels traditional and comfortable, with the kind of layout that seems to have grown naturally over the years rather than been carefully planned. There are a few separate seating areas tucked around corners, giving it a cosy feel despite being larger than it first appears. Dark wood panelling, patterned carpets and framed pictures add to the old pub character, while soft lighting keeps things warm and relaxed. One room has a small area set up for live music and entertainment, which helps give the pub a lively atmosphere on busier evenings. Altogether, it feels friendly, familiar and easy to settle into.

A great line up of 6 cask ales to choose from on the bar, alongside a selection of keg options. I went for Blonde by Saltaire Brewery, a light blonde ale with delicate citrus notes and a clean, refreshing finish.