The NEW Whitby Town pub guide!
By Nick Anderson

All opinions in this guide are my own (although some of my opinions are based on mere word of mouth and the odd personal vendetta!) However the information is only correct to the best of my knowledge as I sit here now, so if you want to correct me mailto: nick_ando@msn.com and I may amend the guide (I might not either) I have been in all of the pubs in the last year so I do have at least an idea of what they are like, but like I said before it’s just my opinion. So here’s my guide (in alphabetical order no less, gotta have a system!)

(1) Bar 7   (2) Big Angel   (3) Black Horse   (4) Black Swan   (5) Board   (6) Bottom House   (7) Buck   (8) Dolphin   (9) Duke of York   (10) Elsinore   (11) Endeavour   (12) Fleece   (13) Golden Lion   (14) Granby   (15) Jolly Sailors   (16) Little Angel   (17) Met Bar   (18) Middle Earth   (19) Pier Inn   (20) Plough   (21) Resolution   (22) Rosie O'Grady's   (23) Shambles   (24) Ship   (25) Star   (26) Station Inn   (27) Wellington   (28) White House 
 

Bar 7 (map 1)
Located on pier road above the Quayside fish ‘n’ chip restaurant, just before the amusement arcades. As the name suggests it’s more of a wine bar than a public house and is the latest addition to the list of watering holes in the town. Almost too “trendy” for a small traditional town such as Whitby, but seen as there are more than 20 other traditional style pubs in the town I see it as a much needed breath of fresh air and consequently it is hugely popular with young people. This means if you’re on a pub-crawl make this one of your destinations. Not the place to go if you’re a traditional Yorkshire bitter drinker as there isn’t any Yorkshire brews on tap (there is some Lancastrian rubbish on tap though). However it serves a very impressive array of continental bottled beers, so you wont be stuck for choice. Also on tap are Hoegarden and Staropramen, which are both good quality. It boasts the finest array of cocktails in town bar none, though they’re too pricey for my budget. Due to the nature of the bar it is a good place to go for both locals and visitors. However it is mainly a nightspot so not the type of place you’re going to go before or after a Whitby match (I’m not even sure if it is open in the day). It has no pool table, dartboard or television. But like I said it’s not really a pub, so you wouldn’t expect it. I would also like to mention that the toilets are exceptional and always kept clean even on a Saturday night at it’s busiest. This is reflected in the cleanliness of the bar in general (although having said that it is very new). The only real negatives about the bar is that it can be almost impossible to get served on a busy night (usually because everyone’s drinking bloody cocktails!) Also the prices are a touch high.
Ando’s summary if you’re looking for a pub for a quite drink, don’t bother. If you’re here for a night out don’t miss it.
Ando’s rating 7.5 out of Ten

The Big Angel (map 2)
Officially known as the Angel, but when I was a lad (about ten minutes ago) it was always known as the Big ‘A’. Situated in probably the best location of any of the pubs in town, on New Quay road facing the harbour (excellent views of the Endeavour or the Grand Turk when they are here). The pub underwent major renovation about three years ago as it was becoming rather run down. However, although a vast amount of money was spent, it is has a sort of “Durham pine” feel to it inside. I’m not quite sure what the theme is in here, but I am sure there is meant to be one. The inside is decked in wood (with the odd half a barrel on the wall for authenticity!) whereas the beer garden is done in a sort of oriental garden style, but with bizarre green lighting at night (maybe to simulate the plants that are usually in a garden!) The beer is very poor and the lager can be sometimes almost un-drinkable, so stick to bottles or sprits. However if you like Guinness you’ll be happy to know that it is probably the best drink to get here. This is a pub that attracts many visitors and when the sun is out is an excellent place to sit outside and have a drink (as long as you can avert your eyes from the décor). But this is an after hours kind of pub really and it attracts it’s largest crowds on a Saturday night. In that respect you will have to probably queue and definitely pay to get in. But it is the most popular place to go if you want a dance and the closest we have to a nightclub, due to the decline of our only nightclub (see laughton’s nightclub). It doesn’t have a pool table (if I remember correctly) or a dartboard. It is worth mentioning that the Big ‘A’ mainly gets it’s business due to lack of late license competition and although money was spent just three years ago the décor is shabby, the ceiling is too low, the air con doesn’t work so it get’s incredibly hot when busy, the toilets (I can only vouch for the gent’s mind!) are nothing short of disgraceful and you will need waders on if you want to use them on a busy night and the main reason most people are dancing in there is that if you stand still for more than ten seconds you need a crowbar to remove yourself from the floor!
Ando’s summary has the potential to be the finest pub in Whitby but unfortunately it falls woefully short. However if you’re here for a night out and you want late drinking/dancing then go there.
Ando’s rating 3 out of Ten

The Black Horse (map 3)
The Black Horse is situated on Church Street about a five-minute walk to the 199 steps. It is a traditional style pub and it serves Tetley and Carlsberg, but I’m not sure what else because I haven’t been in here for a while! Because of its location it does get a lot of visitors in, during the day especially. As for a night time I’ve never really been in there on a night out and I’m almost positive that it does not get very busy on weekend nights (if that’s what your after) It doesn’t have a pool table, jukebox and as far as I remember no TV. It does however have a dartboard and it’s not a bad throw!
Ando’s summary All in all it’s not a place I frequent, but it’s certainly not a bad place to nip into for a quick pint.
Ando’s rating 4 out of Ten

The Black Swan (map 4)
The Black Swan is situated close to the end of Baxtergate (Swing bridge side). This is another traditional style pub. However it has been, how do I say hollowed out and it is basically one big open room with a bar in it. This means that it lacks any real character. It serves Tetley, John Smiths, Carlsberg and Guinness last time I checked. Tends to be a bit of a local’s pub and it doesn’t get very busy through the day (the lack of atmosphere in the day is probably a factor). However it does get very busy on nighttime. It has no pool table, or television. But there is a dartboard. It is worth mentioning that they make quite an effort to put on live music (local pub music only) and it can get it’s busiest at these times.
Ando’s summary not a place to go through the day or when it’s empty. However when there is a live music or weekend night it could be worth a look.
Ando’s rating 4.5 out of Ten

The Board (map 5)
Situated at the end of Church Street and only a five second walk to the 199 steps. This is a traditional pub with plenty of character and excellent harbour views. It also has a very nice welcome atmosphere. It serves a very wide selection of Beers on tap. I can’t remember them all, but I’m pretty sure they have John Smiths, Tetley, Carlsberg, Fosters, Murphy’s and Theakstons but to name a few. It is also worth mentioning that the beer is usually very good quality. Due to its location it attracts a lot of visitors, but it always has numerous local’s enjoying a pint or two. I have never seen this pub packed out day or night, but it is never empty. It doesn’t have a pool table or jukebox, but it does have a dartboard and a television (although I don’t think they have Sky Sports). The Board also sells bar meals in a downstairs dining area. The views in the dining area are even more impressive than upstairs and the food is reasonable in both price and quality.
Ando’s summary this is a great place to go for a few pint’s on an afternoon after you’ve conquered the 199 steps.
Ando’s rating 7 out of Ten

The Bottom House (map 6)
Situated at the bottom of Green lane, this is a traditional style pub, which is mainly used by locals, mainly due to the fact that it is slightly out of the way and really only just on the periphery of the town centre. It does however serve very good beer and at a good price compared to more centrally located pubs. It also has a good pool table, dart board and a jukebox. I also believe that they serve food also, but I cannot comment on the food, as I have never sampled it.
Ando’s summary Good beer, good prices, good pool table, bit of a locals pub although not un-friendly. The only real question is can you be arsed to walk to it?
Ando’s rating 5.5 out of Ten

The Buck (map 7)
Just near the end of St Anne’s Staith down the road from Woolworth’s (local) This pub has quite a nice frontage and looks like a nice traditional pub from the outside. However don’t be fooled! I imagine it was once a place full of character, but it has been knocked into basically one featureless room/corridor. Also the beer is quite inconsistent, usually leaning towards crap. I think it has a pool table (only during the day I think) and a jukebox (which is crap). This pub used to be on the typical weekend crawl and used to get very busy at peak times. However the arrival of several new, superior bars and pubs have made it less popular. One plus point, it has a cracking open fire during winter.
Ando’s summary Unless you like karaoke (a lot) or it’s a freezing cold night and you’ll only accept the most basic form of heating, you don’t need to walk far to find better pubs.
Ando’s rating 3 out of Ten

The Dolphin (map 8)
Another one of Whitby’s pubs in a prime location right next to the swing bridge, in fact there was an instance when the swing bridge actually popped into the dolphin, but it was refused service, due to aggressive manner it entered the building (through the front bay window). This is a traditional pub with plenty of character However it only just makes the pub list for me, because it is now heavily geared almost exclusively to families and couples who want some food and maybe a quite couple of beers. This does make it an excellent place to go if you want a quite sit down bar meal. This also makes it hugely popular with visitors. A restaurant it isn’t but a pub to go for a drink or two it isn’t either. Not surprisingly then it doesn’t have a jukebox or pool table and I’m not sure about a dartboard, but I doubt you’d get on it anyway as people tend to shy away from flying tungsten when enjoying their food. As for the food, it is priced as you might imagine, slightly expensive, but it is of good quality. It is also worth mentioning that it has a very good beer garden to the front of the pub.
Ando’s summary Use it strictly when you want something to eat and you can’t go wrong. However if you just want to go for a drink you might not even be allowed in. So go elsewhere.
Ando’s rating 5 out of Ten

The Duke of York (map 9)
Right next door to The Board Inn and once again at the bottom of the 199 steps. This arguably has more character than any other pub in town and it always has a nice atmosphere to match it as well. They serve a wide selection of beers/ales and the beer is usually of very high quality. It is very popular with both locals and visitors. It seems to be perpetually busy and this can be a pain if your looking to get a bar meal there as seating is at a premium usually. The food is consistently nice, but the menu is very limited and has never changed in the last five years or so. There is no pool table or jukebox, but there are a couple of fruit machines. I would say that this is one of the main “tourist” pubs in town, but locals also frequent it too and it always seems to have a warm relaxed atmosphere. It is also worth mentioning that the Duke of York also has one of the finest views of the harbour which only adds to an already fine pub
Ando’s summary Go to this pub if you want a bar meal. Or go if you like good quality beer and a good choice
Ando’s rating 7.5 out of ten

The Elsinore (map 10)
Situated near the top of Flowergate and in a good place if you’re on your way to/from the turnbull ground if you’ve come on the bus or train. This is another traditional style pub, but unlike a few of the “traditional” pubs it has been kept authentic. It serves Cameron’s beers and they have been of good quality and reasonably priced. It always strikes me as surprisingly small when I walk in, but that is not a criticism because it adds to the cosy atmosphere. The pub is by and large used by locals, however it is probably the most popular “Goth” pub, so when they are in town for Goth week you can be sure it will be packed (inside and outside on the street). They also make an effort to put on local pub music entertainment and I believe they also have a weekly pub quiz. This is not really a pub that is on the weekend pub-crawl and its main clientele is over 40. I’m not certain whether or not they serve food, but I don’t think that they do. There is no pool table or jukebox, but they do have a dartboard, but I think it’s only really used for league matches. All in all it’s another pub to go to for a quite drink, but there isn’t too much to set it apart from most other pubs like it in town. Unless your intersted in the Goth side of things
Ando’s summary another good pub for a quite drink and a must during Goth week if your in to that sort of thing.
Ando’s rating 5 out of ten

The Endeavour (map 11)
This pub is just about halfway down/up Church Street and is a couple doors up from Mister Chips (handy for a pre or post drink snack). This was re-furbished a few years ago and although I cannot remember what it was like before but it has since become one of my favourites in town. It is decorated as a traditional pub and it always has a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere. It also serves good quality beer and has a nice selection including a weekly guest beer. This is a pub that attracts many local regulars and is hugely popular with folkies. It is especially busy over folk week and other folk music event that the Endeavour is at it’s most busy. Live folk music can also often be experienced there. It is a good pub to go to either by day or night and it has one of the best pool tables in town, although the price has just raised from 40p a game to an extortionate 50p! But joking aside it also has a television, which shows sporting events, although it does not have sky sports, so obviously what they show is relatively limited. It is also worth mentioning that the bar staff is always very friendly and has a rather nice open fire, this only adds to the atmosphere.
Ando’s summary This is one of the best pubs in town. Whether you want a game of pool or to take in the folk week festivities.
Ando’s rating 8 out of ten

The Fleece (map 12)
This pub is also on Church Street only a five-minute walk from the Endeavour. It is a traditional pub, which has not changed at all as long as I can remember. It sells a wide range of beers and it has to be said that both the price and quality is very good. This is mainly a local’s pub, though it does attract a large folk crowd, as does the Endeavour. It has a good pool table and also a dartboard, but I think the dartboard only gets used for league matches. It also has a beer garden towards the rear of the pub, which is right on the harbour side, so it obviously has a good view of the harbour.
Ando’s summary Not a pub I visit too often, but it does serve good beer at very reasonable prices, worth a look in
Ando’s rating 5 out of ten

The Golden Lion (map 13)
Believe it or not this pub is at the bottom of Golden Lion Bank! It is very much a traditional pub and it almost exclusively seems to attract locals (but don’t quote me on that) it serves the usual beers found in most pubs and at a reasonable price if my sieve-like memory serves me. It doesn’t have a pool table or a television. The one thing that does really stick in the memory about this pub (apart from the name!) is the pickled eggs. They are simply the finest pickled eggs I have ever experienced!
Ando’s summary Have a wander in for a pickled egg if nothing else.
Ando’s rating 2.5 out of ten

The Granby (map 14)
The Granby is situated on Skinner Street and is en-route between the turnbull ground and the bus station. It is yet another traditional style pub, which has a friendly quiet atmosphere. They serve Cameron’s beer on tap and it is of good quality (last time I checked!) They also serve food and although I have never sampled the food, I have heard no bad reports and that can only be a good thing! Local regulars mainly use it, but that should not put you off going in. It does have good darts facilities but unfortunately it is hard to get a throw unless the pub is virtually empty, as seats must be moved for access. This is another pub I rarely use, but the main reason for this is its location as it is a little out of the way. This should not deter you from dropping in however as it is a good pub for a bar meal and a couple of pints.
Ando’s summary Quite pub which serves food and good beer (if you like Cameron’s) Therefore if you want a bar meal and a beer, try it!
Ando’s rating 6 out of ten

The Jolly Sailors (map 15)
The Jolly’s as it’s known (you never would have seen that coming!) is situated on St Anne’s Staithes adjacent to the Buck. This is a traditional style pub, which has been “refurbished” several times in the last few years and yet it always looks exactly the same inside. It is a Samuel Smith’s pub, which as you may have guessed by now, means it only sells Samuel Smith’s brewery drinks and yes that includes soft drinks and bottles. This means that the beer is cheap at least, but in my opinion it is not the best quality (it’s shite!) The pub, it’s fair to say is predominantly used by regulars, but it does get quite busy on weekend nights, if you catch it at the right time. It has a pool table in the front bar, but I don’t think it is used on the weekend. It also has a television (no sky sports) and a dartboard. It is also worth adding that it has a large beer garden towards the rear, which does slightly add to its appeal, if only in summer.
Ando’s summary A rather dingy pub, which serves below par drinks. The only plus point is that the crap drinks don’t cost too much
Ando’s rating 2.5 out of ten

The Little Angel (map 16)
Found on Flowergate and not to be confused with the Big Angel. You’ll see why it shouldn’t be confused with its big brother when you walk in without getting ripped off! It is deceptively large inside and you will very rarely have a problem getting sat down (that’s not to say it’s like the Marie Celeste!) They serve a fine selection of drinks and it has got to be said that they serve possibly the best Tetley hand pull in town. Locals mainly use it but it does attract a lot of Goths during Goth week and Halloween. It has a television (no sky sports) and a decent jukebox, but no pool table unfortunately. This is a perfect pub to go to before or after the football, as it is right en-route between the bus station and the turnbull. In fact most routes taken from the town centre should take you past this pub and it is highly recommended for a pre or post-game pint.
Ando’s summary as I have mentioned it is ideal for a pre-game or post-game pint. But it’s hand pulled Tetley should be tried by all bitter drinkers.
Ando’s rating 6.5 out of ten

The Met Bar (map 17)
This is not to be confused with the very trendy London based bar. It is of course far superior! It’s situated on the west cliff only a 5-10 minute walk from the ground, so it’s another handy pre or post-game watering hole. This is part of the Metropole building, which is one of the most prominent landmarks in town. In terms of style it is a high ceiling open plan bar that is simply and by no means offensively decorated. It serves a limited selection of beers, but there is enough to cater for most people. Both locals and tourists, due to its seafront location, use it. It also contains a pool table and a dartboard, which is easily accessed. The Met Bar also has plenty entertainment on throughout the week. Mainly local music acts, the schedule changes regularly and is usually displayed outside. Food is available too, but I couldn’t comment on the quality or the price because I’ve no information on either! Finally, one of the best features is the beer terrace to the front, which has superb a sea view. This definitely makes it worth a visit in summer.
Ando’s summary Close to the Turnbull ground and a fine sea view. Definitely worth a look
Ando’s rating 6.5 out of ten

The Middle Earth (map 18)
Another pub located on Church Street almost equidistant between the old swing bridge and the new bridge. This is a genuinely traditional pub that has seating outside at the front with rather fine harbour and town centre views. It attracts by and large locals, but its harbour side location and outdoor seating make it popular with visitors too. The beer is good quality and priced competitively. It has both a pool table and a dartboard, the latter of which you can actually usually access without too much trouble. Not really a pub you would visit on a Saturday night out, but it is a nice place to go for a quite drink, a game of pool or to sit in the sun
Ando’s summary A bit out of the way but not a bad pub to relax and have a couple of pints if your nearby.
Ando’s rating 6 out of ten

The Pier Inn (map 19)
Situated on, wait for it Pier road! The Pier Inn has recently been refurbished and extended. This has improved upon the previous layout and along with the opening of Bar 7 down the road, has made it more popular. However I do have some reservations about the refurbishment. The extension has been done in new sandstone, whereas the old part of the building is rendered and painted white, so it sticks out like a sore thumb. Also they have tried to keep it in a traditional style. But as with many of the other refurbished ‘traditional’ pubs I have seen, this just means sticking lots of maritime tat on the walls. My final criticism of the new layout is the gent’s toilet. To say it was an afterthought is the biggest underestimate this millennia, it can barely accommodate more than two people at a time and when you consider the size of the pub, there is no wonder why there is often queues These things aside it has a pool table and a small amount of outdoor seating. It will always attract visitors due to its location and it can get very busy on weekends at peak times.
Ando’s summary there is many other pubs in the area that are better for either playing pool or having a quite drink. However it is in a useful location for avoiding the Bar 7 queues at busy times.
Ando’s rating 5 out of ten

The Plough (map 20)
Located on Baxtergate almost opposite the Black Swan. This is very much a locals pub and a regulars one at that. It is the second of two Samuel Smith’s pubs in town. So if you’re not into any of the Samuel Smith’s beers and endorsed lager (Ayeingerbrau I think) or not into cheap spirits or soft drinks, then the low prices are a moot point. The only saving grace is the games room and the beer garden towards the rear of the pub, which is worth a look in the summer time.
Ando’s summary if you like Samuels Smith’s products, then it’s worth a look, otherwise don’t bother
Ando’s rating 2,5 out of ten

The Resolution (map 21)
Can be found on the corner of Skinner Street and Flowergate. Formerly The Resolution club has had a major conversion about two years ago and now has a hotel, pub and a separate members club. It’s difficult to work out whether or not it is meant to be in a traditional style, but it is slightly rough around the edges nonetheless. It also doesn’t have much of an atmosphere unless it is jam-packed. It is also the most expensive pub in town for buying drinks (unless your in the members area). It doesn’t have a pool table either. But enough of the bad, on the good side it serves food and has a quite comprehensive bar meal menu. It also accommodates live music regularly. On the whole I think that the refurbishment is a huge disappointment and a lot more could have been done with the extensive space on offer and the fact the beer is more expensive than elsewhere makes it a less than attractive option
Ando’s summary only worth visiting if you’re want a bar meal or to listen to some live music. Otherwise look elsewhere
Ando’s rating 4 out of ten

Rosie O Grady’s (map 22)
Located in Station Square and in a prime location for a pint just after you hop off the bus or train. This is probably my favourite pub in town. Although the decor is getting a little shabby and it could do with a lick of paint, it has a nice warm and friendly atmosphere. A good place to go in the day if you want to watch sports as it has a big screen and Skysports. You can participate in the odd game of darts (it’s not a bad throw) or play some pool, although the table is below par and a touch expensive for a Yorkshire man! Also food is available either at the bar (sandwiches and snacks) or downstairs in the Italian restaurant (yes you’ve guessed it Italian food) By night Rosie’s is consistently busy most nights of the week and holds a late licence with a disco downstairs in “the Crypt” (which is the restaurant by day) It is a good place to go after hours and you don’t get loud cheesy music rammed down your neck (unless you want it then you can go down stairs) It serves all the usual beers (no real ales though I’m afraid) and the quality is usually fairly good and competitively priced. This is a pub that is welcoming to both visitors and locals alike. There is also a regular happy 2-hours when drinks are £1.50. What can I say eleven cigar’s out of ten!
Ando’s summary as an all-round option you wont find a better pub in Whitby
Ando’s rating 9 out of ten (nowhere gets ten ever!)

The Shambles (map 23)
Located in the old market square on the East side of the river. This is another one of Whitby’s newer additions and certainly one of the finest. This used to be the Burberry’s factory and its conversion to a pub has been very successful. It inherits an open plan layout, which has been sectioned off into a separate family room, restaurant and snooker room. However there is still a very sizeable main bar area. It has managed to keep the original character of the building and unlike many of the other refurbished pubs in town; it is not in the least bit tacky. It also has fantastic harbour views (I think they’re the best harbour views in town). It has a good lively atmosphere when it gets busy. However because of its high ceiling and size it can be totally lifeless when there are only a handful of people in. It can also get quite cold in the winter. That said it is when the weather is good that the Shambles is at its best and there is no better place to go on a summer afternoon to relax and have a couple of beers. Speaking of beers they serve a nice selection of beers, including a weekly guest beer and the quality is always satisfactory. It has become an absolute mainstay on weekend pub-crawls so if you’re looking for somewhere to go on a weekend night, you can’t go wrong here! It has no pool table but you can book the snooker room for a private snooker session, although I don’t know the tariff. They also serve food in the restaurant area (shock!) With its location it’s not surprising that this is one of the most popular pubs with visitors and it’s atmosphere is welcoming to families also.
Ando’s summary a well converted open plan pub, one of the finest in town!
Ando’s rating 8.5 out of ten

The Ship (map 24)
This is found on pier road close to the Pier inn. This is very much a local’s pub, which is traditionally used by fishermen. A traditional style pub, with a habourside location and there is a decent view from the front window of the pub. It serves the usual popular beers and the quality and price is good. It has a pool table in the back room and it also has a very good jukebox.
Ando’s summary not a bad pub to go to for a game of pool, but there are many better options nearby
Ando’s rating 3.5 out of ten

The Star (map 25)
Another pub on pier road, located between The Ship and The Jolly Sailor’s. Again it’s a traditional style pub, which has been decorated numerous times, but it always remains the same, which in this case is not a bad thing as it has a nice atmosphere. It is definitely one of the best pubs of its type in Whitby. It has a very good pool table and it is the cheapest in town at only 20p per game. Beat that! You wont of course; it’s also got a dartboard that is easily accessed and a very good jukebox. Another attraction is the presence of Skysports and a big screen, which accommodates all types of major sports. This makes it a great pub to go to in the afternoon, to watch football, play some pub games and have a few pints, the jukebox is one of the best in town, which only makes it an even more appealing option
Ando’s summary there is many pubs similar to this, but this is probably the best of the bunch. It has cheap pool, darts, jukebox and Skysports. Need I say anymore?
Ando’s rating 7.5 out of ten

The Station Inn (map 26)
This pub has recently changed hands and the guide below is for its previous guise as the Tap and Spile. Located on New Quay Road very close to the famous Trenchers Restaurant. This is an authentically traditional pub that has a very good atmosphere. Can’t say it is one of my regular haunts, but I am under 35! That said it does have many positive points for real ale lovers, folkies and fogies alike. But joking aside, it does have the finest selection of real ales in town and I have even spotted people in there drinking out of their own tankards! It regularly holds pub quizzes (of the more serious nature) and there is often live folk music on. Also to its credit swearing and unnecessary noise is not tolerated (you will be ejected!) All this adds up to the kind of atmosphere that young people tend to shy away from (most young people can’t handle proper beer and life without swearing!) Although I’m not a regular customer I do like this pub, because it is probably as close to a country pub as you can get without leaving the bright lights of Whitby!
Ando’s summary if you’re after real ales and a quite civilised atmosphere, look no further!
Ando’s rating 5.5 out of ten

The Wellington (map 27)
Situated between Baxtergate and New quay road on the road with no name (well I can’t remember its name anyway!) This is a very average pub. It used to be on the weekend pub-crawl route. But it has since been superseded by the new bars/pubs in town. It’s one of those traditional/chain type pubs, which in my opinion has little or no atmosphere at all. To its credit it regularly has drinks promotions offering, yes you’ve guessed it, cheap drinks! It also has a good pool table, but unfortunately it gets stored away on busy nights. It also has a good jukebox. It does have plenty of rather ropey pub entertainment, including the obligatory karaoke. It does get busy sporadically on weekend nights, but only if you catch it at the right time. All in all there is nothing really to set it apart from the many other below par pubs in town.
Ando’s summary just another brick in the wall, you don’t need to go far to find better alternatives.
Ando’s rating 3.5 out of ten

The White House (map 28)
A bit out of the way if coming from the town centre but makes it in by virtue of it’s relative proximity to the Turnbull ground. It is to be found adjacent to Whitby Golf course at the end of Upgang Lane. This has been recently refurbished and unfortunately it has, in my opinion changed a good traditional style pub, with a warm friendly atmosphere, into a more modern but rather sterile affair. It has been recently been bought out and I think it was a large pub chain behind the deal, this probably explains the clone pub look. That said, it’s just my opinion and some people will disagree with me. It serves the usual drinks, at the usual prices and the quality is usually good. One positive worth mentioning is the beer garden, which is probably the most impressive in town. It has a magnificent sea view and great views of the golf course (sometimes you have to duck to avoid a fractured skull from the flying golf balls). It also serves food and is more of a restaurant set up than just bar food, although I haven’t eaten there so I’m not gonna comment on the food.
Ando’s summary a bit out of the way to nip in for just a beer, so unless you’re after food, look elsewhere
Ando’s rating 5 out of ten

Note: There are 30 pubs in town, but I haven’t included The Stakesby Arms or First In Last Out, mainly because of their isolated location in relation to the rest of the pubs in town. I made The White House the exception, simply because I live close to it and go there quite often (well not now that I’ve slagged it off!) But don’t worry because the two pubs I missed out are shite anyway!