Pub of the Week: The Gundog, Halifax

Up until a couple of years ago you would have no cause to drop into this Grade II listed town centre pub unless you were a biker or a metalhead. Or both. Today it's a different story: if you're into original features, cask ale and Northern Soul, make a beeline. It's a grand, imposing place, remodelled in 1904 by local architect WHD Horsfall and now the only pub in Halifax with a reasonably intact Edwardian interior.
The Gundog, HalifaxThe Gundog, Halifax
The Gundog, Halifax

Stone carver-turned-landlord Garry Richardson bought the building in 2014, rolled his sleeves up and got going, uncovering the tiles, taking down the black curtains and painting over the graffiti.

Four rooms lead off the Terrazzo floor-tiled central lobby and all have fantastically ornate ceilings and some oak panelling, and the two street-facing rooms have fabulous leaded windows depicting hunting scenes, and in one hangs a rather glamorous chandelier!

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There’s a good range of cask ale including ‘Gundog’ from Stod Fold Brewing Company in Ogden and from further afield, Baby Ghost IPA from The Raw Brewing Company based in Chesterfield, Titanic Mild from Stoke on Trent and Lawless from the Bootleg Brewing Company in Chorlton. There’s not a lot in the way of food but a blackboard offers ‘award-winning pie & peas’, always worth a try.

Drop in for live music on Sundays and a vinyl DJ plays Northern Soul every month too. It’s good to see a historically important pub given a 
new start.

• The Gundog, 48-50 Crown Street, Halifax HX1 1JB. 01422 380135.

WELCOME 5/5

DRINKS SELECTION 5/5

ATMOSPHERE 4/5

PRICES 5/5

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