Review: Sound Bar, Skipton

What do you call a record shop that also sells real ale?
ll
l

Sound Bar, of course. So a couple of beer and music nuts (of a certain vintage) are roaming around trying to find the right location to legitimise their obsessions and, in November 2014 on a grim afternoon, they spot a handwritten ‘For Sale’ notice on the window of a Chinese takeout in Skipton.

After months of hard work, Miles Laprell and Phil Costello launch their vinyl/ale venture. And what a thing of great beauty it is. It’s been trading only two years but feels as if it’s been there for decades.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The first thing that hits you isn’t the music but the people. Couples, young and old. Bearded grizzlies riffling through the racks of vinyl. Young women enjoying a bottle of wine and a pale poet making his espresso last an hour.

On the pumps, just two offers: on permanently is Sound Bar Pale Ale from the Wensleydale Brewery (I can vouch for its sweet, subtle hoppiness) and today, Bainbridge Blonde from the Yorkshire Dales Brewery. The ‘guest’ ale changes barrel to barrel, but only from Yorkshire microbreweries. Goose Eye, Pennine Brewing Co, Mallinsons and Hop Studio are just a few of many.

There isn’t any food (just bar snacks) but there is live music every Sunday afternoon and of course a great soundtrack. If I lived anywhere near this, you’d have to hose me out.

Skipton Sound Bar, 15 Swadford Street, Skipton, BD23 1RD, North Yorkshire; 01756 793543. skiptonsoundbar.co.uk; Open: Wednesday & Sunday, 12–8pm; Thursday to Saturday, 12-9pm.

Ratings:

Welcome 5/5

Drinks selection 5/5

atmosphere 5/5

prices 5/5