One of the occupational hazards for GBG completists is an “unintended revisit” to a pub ticked under a different name.
You’d be surprised how often this happens, particularly when geographical listings are all over the shop. Belper Mark, a closet ticker that Si and I outed recently, uses postcodes in his own relational database, which is an excellent idea but a bit keen.
Some people worry about Brexit or broccoli or BRAPA visits; I’d had a nagging doubt that Bingley’s Platform 1 3/4 wasn’t the new tick I supposed it to be. And though the GBG just says “opened in 2017“, a bit of detective work (I asked Duncan) reveals it to be a rebadged Off the Tap.
Off course, Bingley is the centre of the micropub universe.
On another sunny day, it looked more Costa Brava than Costa Bradford as West Yorkshire’s sun worshippers got in the larger’s (misspelt lagers above).
Firmly in the quirky bar camp, the mix of Peroni and Empire works for me.
A charming barman told me the best beer to have.
It’s a small, busy room, a touch of Margate’s Fez about it.
I sat down to enjoy some classic Laurel & Hardy on the telly in the corner and “Tempted” by Squeeze on the HiFi. Works for me, though possibly not at the same time.
The barman gave me a little history of the pub that was so complex I forgot it but probably involves local legend Garvey’s Taverns in some way.
Anyhow, the Empire was cool, rich and thick, a 3.5+ of a beer on a hot day.
A winner for me !
I just have one thing still nagging me. Why didn’t I blog about it as Off the Tap ?
Let it Go, as someone once said.
retiredmartin 
Let it go. Doesn’t that get you thrown out of the Tickers’ Union.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There Will Be A Day of Reckoning.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Like buying a fabulous 1950’s Sarah Vaughan album for silly money at a record fair, then getting it home to find you’ve already got a World Record Club version with a different (inferior) sleeve*…
*Cue uncontrollable laughter and mucho kudos points from all your ultra cool and desperately sexy vinyl-geek buddies…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since we apparently have a State-Within-The-State, it’s only right that we should also have a telly-within-a-telly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Chump at Oxford, with a very young Peter Cushing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I preferred it as Off the Tap.
LikeLike
Really? Can’t remember it, how long has it been open altogether ?
LikeLike
Well I reckon it was off the tap for at least 2-3 years?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah. Could have been there before I started the blog late 2015 then.
Also did the Potting Shed on that trip which had decent beer.
LikeLike
Certainly not like you not to blog about it but you can’t can’t beat a bit of Fez.
LikeLike
Think with Leon’s help have pinned Off the Tap visit down to early 2015.
One thing about Bingley/Saltaire strip is sheer number of openings in last 5 or 6 years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve just checked and I visited Off the Tap on 30th April 2012! Time flies when you’re having fun. Don’t think it had been open long then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably in GBG14 then. Duncan could no doubt confirm but he’s too busy celebrating St Mirren’s Miracle.
LikeLike
The miserable old git I now am I’m very suspicious of anywhere that proclaims itself somewhere’s “best kept secret”.
Don’t they want to remain that ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, good logic, Paul.
LikeLike
Unbelievable lacings!!! Loving how many good pubs have evolved out of micros….not watched l & h for a while…need to catch up on it 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you go to their museum in Ulverston in Lake District their classics are on repeat. Our lads were transfixed a few years ago.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Top class slapstick humour
LikeLiked by 1 person
“One of the occupational hazards for GBG completists is an “unintended revisit” to a pub ticked under a different name.”
In the photo above is that Laurel and Hardy?
“uses postcodes in his own relational database”
Not sure if he uses a database but BBM includes postcodes with his writings (which makes it so much easier on Google Maps to find that particular pub out of the dozen with the same name in the UK). 🙂
“I KNOW YOU !”
Blimey. Two things; first, advertising the fact that you’re the best kept secret is a bit of an oxymoron and… they brag about their lagers?
“as West Yorkshire’s sun worshippers got in the larger’s (misspelt lagers above).”
Does larger’s mean oversized beers?
“A charming barman told me the best beer to have.”
I would’ve gone for the Modello Bordello with the sexy legs beside it.
“Mrs RM would love/hate the design”
The word ‘eclectic’ comes to mind.
“Works for me, though possibly not at the same time.”
I must confess I would never be ‘tempted’ by either Laurel or Hardy in that way. 😉
“Name that tune”
Tricky that. 🙂
“Lacings winner !”
Looks a bit like the stockings on those Modello Bordello legs. 🙂
“Let it Go, as someone once said.”
I hope to god you’re not referring to the movie Frozen.
Cheers
LikeLike
Of course Frozen. Is it worth watching ?
LikeLike
Hmm… Frozen is good to watch if you identify as a pre-teen girl. 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Off The Tap was gbg from 2014 to 2017 inclusive (still catching up here).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire your efforts in keeping up, Mark.
Yes, I’d definitely been here it was Off The Tap. Not that I remembered it 😕
LikeLike