Town centre pub has a loyal customer base and dates back to the 1800s
Boy & Barrel Inn, Huddersfield
Huddersfield’s historic Beast Market used to have a lot going for it with attractions as varied as a nightclub (Johnny’s, of course), a second-hand shop full of cool vinyl (Stubbs) and a decent chippie.
When I swung by on a Friday night around 5, there wasn’t a great deal happening, however the Boy & Barrel Inn was open and so I popped in for a pint. I had expected it to be busy, as the beer is pretty cheap, but there was just me and another punter, which was a bit disappointing. A staff member said the place would fill up later and there was karaoke on later, and a late opening time of 1.30am. The only other visitor was a policeman who was making inquiries about a tall drunken man who had been spotted in the area.
The bar worker told me that a new couple were due to take over the management of the Boy & Barrel later in December, so I’ll probably pop back in at some point to see what their plans are. I was told that the bar continues to be popular with away fans on Huddersfield Town matchdays. The old inn dates back to the mid-1800s and is known for its oversized figure of a boy and barrel on the roof.
There are big screens in the bar and a digital jukebox, and lots of drinks options, from ‘Ten shots of Cactus Jacks for £10’, or three shots of sambuca for £7. There’s Guinness on tap and cans of Red Stripe in the fridge.
The Boy & Barrel was not only quiet when I went in but sadly they didn’t appear to have any hand-pulled beer, although they had served it in the past as two pumps were still present. So I ended up with a pint of Carling which set me back £3.40. I rated the bar a firm 3/5.
I supped up fairly quickly as a couple of friends had found a busier spot, the Plumbers Arms up by the bus station. I walked across town and found the Plumbers packed full of people. My pint was 50p pricier than the Boy & Barrel but I don’t begrudge this as I know that many bars are facing very difficult times. My view is simple – use them or lose them.
The Boy and Barrel pub in Beast Market
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