The 2023 "of the Year"s

It's that time again, where we announce the winners of the Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Club of the Year for 2023. The quality in Bradford gets better and better and this does get harder every year.

So here we go....

Inner Bradford Pub of the Year

Winner - Corn Dolly

Multi-award winning traditional freehouse that has featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for more than 30 years and run by the same family since 1989. A short distance from the city centre and within easy reach from Forster Square railway station. It used to be called the Wharfe due to its location near to the former Bradford canal and opened its doors for the first time in 1834. It retains the friendly atmosphere of an out-of-town local. An open-plan layout incorporates a games area to one end. There are three regular real ales plus a further five guests, usually from regional breweries and always including a varying dark ale. The eleven keg taps serve additional beers and ciders. Good value food is served weekday lunchtimes. It is popular for a pint before Bradford City matches. A collection of over 1000 pump-clips adorn the beams. Closing times on a Friday and Saturday may be earlier depending upon the demand on the night.

Runner Up - Exchange Craft Beer House

This establishment is located under the Victorian splendour that is the Wool Exchange building. It was re-opened in mid-November 2018 by the owner of Hebden Bridge's Nightjar brewery as a real and craft ale beerhouse. Inside, the premises are open-plan with a large seating area and bar under a brick barrel ceiling with a smaller raised seating area near the entrance. Despite being a cellar bar, the pub has a light and airy feel. In good weather, a small outdoor seating area is available to the rear. The pub is not a tap house for Nightjar brewery but at least one of their real ales is usually available on the six hand-pulls. The other real ales tend to be sourced from smaller regional breweries but can be from further afield and it is aimed to provide a good variety of beer styles from light to dark. There are ten keg taps which serve one cider plus a range of craft beers and lagers. Boxed cider is also available. A jazz night is held on the third Thursday of the month. A "Magical Express Yourself" events takes place on the last Sunday each month.

Runner Up - Jacobs Well

Refurbished and re-opened in May 2013, this pub was formerly known as Jacobs Beer House and Jacobs Ale & Cider House. This is the only building, dating from 1811, on what is left of Kent Street. It comprises a single open-plan room but with a rustic, multi-room feel. Six hand-pulls offer three regular real ales and up to three guests of varying range and style. Three hand-pulls are used for dispensing real cider, often from Grumpy John and other local producers. There are also numerous boxed ciders and perries. Eight keg taps offer a range of European beers and a cider. Selection of pies available throughout the day and include some interesting fillings. The outdoor seating area in front of the pub is popular in good weather. Sit outside and watch the city bustle while supping good ale. An Irish traditional music session is held on the afternoon of the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

Outer Bradford Pub of the Year

Winner - The Salt Cellar

This traditional pub was built just on the edge of the World Heritage Site of Saltaire village because Sir Titus Salt did not allow licenced premises in the area. Previously the Victoria and following a period of refurbishment, it re-opened in December 2017 as the Salt Cellar. Much of the character of the earlier building has been retained and the pub has a friendly, cosy feel. It comprises a two-roomed house with Victorian character having comfortable seating, stained glass partitions and book shelves. There are numerous pictures of old Saltaire adorning the walls. Six handpulls offer a varying range of real ales from local and regional breweries and of differing styles usually including at least one dark beer. Ten keg taps offer an additional range of drinks. The public bar now focusses on selling specialist gins, of which there is an extensive collection, and also has seven keg taps. There is live entertainment on Saturday evenings and an "Open Mic" night takes place on Tuesdays. A weekly quiz is held on Thursday nights. Part of the Trust Inns chain since the end of 2021.

Runner Up - Cap and Collar

Popular modern micro-pub with open plan café-style layout accommodating up to thirty-five customers. A beer garden and smoking area are located to the rear. Up to four real ales, often from local breweries but can also be from further afield. A cider may also be dispensed via handpull. Additionally, up to four beers from independent breweries are offered and dispensed using the KeyKeg system. Bottled real cider is also usually available. A book club meets on the first Tuesday of the month. There is a games night on the third Tuesday and a homebrew club on the second Wednesday of the month. Dogs are permitted unless the pub is busy. The pub is open on bank holidays (Sun opening hours). Card payment only.

Runner Up - Hullabaloo

Popular, modern-style bar located close to Shipley town centre and the bus interchange. Previously the Connexions café, the premises opened as a bar in October 2017. It is generally open-plan with three distinct areas in a corridor layout and a variety of styles over split levels. In September 2020, an additional room was added to the rear and can be closed off and used as a function room for events and meetings. Four hand-pumps serve a variety of real ales, usually from regional brewers and often different to the other pubs in the area. A further hand pump is dedicated to cider, in addition to boxed locally produced cider. A number of artisan craft beers and a cider are also available on the six keg taps. Children are welcome. A Caribbean soul food menu is offered.

Pub of the Year 2023 - The Salt Cellar

Cider Pub of the Year 2023 - The Dog and Gun

Well done to Sam and the team on their 1st CAMRA award.

Warm and welcoming traditional local on the outskirts of Bradford set back from the road with a large car park. Inside, it has three distinct areas with very different feels. The bar serves the smart lounge, with another smaller room to the side. A further lounge is located to the rear. In addition to the regular real ale, three guest beers are always available from the "Cellarman's Reserve" list. Real ciders are often available. The large beer garden to the rear includes an outside bar and pizza oven. A weekly quiz and card competition is held on Wednesdays. A "Rock n Roll Bingo" takes place on Sunday evenings. An "open mic" night is held on the last Tuesday of each month and there are occasional live music nights at other times. On the main bus route between Bradford and Wibsey.

Club of the Year 2023 - The Saltaire Bar (aka Shipley & District Social Club)

Recently renamed "Saltaire Bar" but still trading as (and known by many as) the Shipley & District Social Club. This establishment comprises numerous rooms located around a central bar area. It is comfortably furnished throughout. The bar in the main area has three-hand-pulls serving real ale and is open to the public. The two guest beers are constantly changing and often feature real ales from local breweries. There is a large function room incorporating a bar area with a further three handpulls that is available for hire. The opening times can vary for functions. Only club members are permitted to use the snooker room but general visitors can use the pool room. Live entertainment is held on Sunday evenings. If you want to use more of the facilities, club membership is offered for a very reasonable price.

Shipley town centre with its rail station and bus interchange are close by.

So that's it for 2023, all that's left to do is present the awards, check the website or Tyke Taverner for dates these will be presented.

Don't agree with any of these? Well nominations will be open around December for the 2024 of the years. It all starts with your nomination.