Tipped

Amazing Garden and Saloon!

March 06, 2008

The Earl of Lonsdale is another great Sam Smith pub, full of life and quite large, with an impressive garden out back. This place is huge, and also has some kind of peculiar (but fun) private rooms in the front of the bar. These little nooks, separated by partitions (with tiny little passageways between them) are apparently the result of the age of the pub, or so I was told. At any rate, they look like a great little place to have more private drinking with a few pals.
The main saloon area, on the other hand, is large and full of comfy loungers, as well as a few couches and some stools. You can also stand at the main public bar, or carry on through to the massive garden out back that has several tables, an elevated deck and a ton of room. It was pretty busy out there on the cold winter night that I visited, so I can only imagine what it's like on a warm summer evening.
The bar is run by Samuel Smith brewery, which means a couple things. Firstly, cheap (really cheap!) beer - starting at £1.70 for bitters, or 1.99 for my preferred beer, the Alpine Lager. The other important thing to know is that they don't serve name brand liquors or other beers, only Sam Smith brews and generic booze. This has never proved to be a problem for me, although it is worth knowing before you stick your foot in your mouth asking for some Diageo products.

Tags: good for smokers, sam smiths, private booths