Henry Boons, Wakefield: Iconic Yorkshire pub reopens as alcohol-free bar Chai Shai
A 200 year-old pub has reopened as an alcohol-free chai bar.
Henry Boons had been located on Wakefield’s Westgate at the corner of Parliament Street in the shadow of Wakefield Prison.
This site had been a pub since the 1800s until it shut down in 2023. The famous beer barrel which hung over the door has since been removed and the windows remained covered for a long period of time.
After lying empty for a while, Chai Shai restaurant has now breathed new life into the premises.
Our reporter went to check it out.
When I previously peaked inside the pub during the refurbishment all I could see was artificial flower walls. The famous Clark’s Brewery signs from the windows had been etched away and the famous Henry Boon’s wooden sign had been removed.
The pub’s name Henry Boon’s had paid homage to Henry Boon Clark, founder of HB Clark brewery, which had been situated next door since 1905.
It was great to see that this iconic public house wasn’t going to be left for rag and ruin but I was sceptical about a refurbishment of such a stunning building.
Seeing Chai Shai now it’s fully refurbished, I was pleasantly surprised.
They’ve added modern touches. Angel wings adorn the walls with artificial plant walls and photos. Rather than pulling pints, the front bar area is a counter selling chai, hot drinks and taking food orders for everything from Desi breakfasts to ice cream sundaes.
The cafe looked almost Parisian style with bistro-like features from the building's heyday as a pub with its now additional modern touches.
The back room which used to be an events space decorated with old wooden beer barrels is now a dark shisha bar.
The staff were really friendly but there was a long wait for the milkshakes and chai we ordered. We had come at 5pm before the machines had been turned on.
For me this chai bar catered better for families than Boon’s had done in recent times.
While we waited for our drinks we were served a Matilda chocolate cake to make up for the wait, which my daughter was delighted by.
The drinks are reasonably priced from £2 for a soft drink to £7 for a milkshake.
I had a chai tea which was super sweet as was the ice cream milkshakes. They’ve a huge menu and I’d definitely return to try their desi breakfast.