February 2024. Sheffield.
Another year, another reason to visit Wonderful Walkley.
Last year the Blind Monkey, in GBG24 it’s the Raven that drags tickers up the hill(s) to my back yard, like in the Kelis song.
I TOLD folk the Raven would get in the GBG, a refurbished urban flagship for Loxley’s beers.
Simon made it here in October, no doubt more will come.
BRAPA found the Raven a bit underwhelming, and it’s certainly a pub that lacks that lived-in feel you get in the Blind Monkey or the Blake, which is why I so rarely pop in a GBG pub 5 minutes walk away and is commendably open all hours.
That’s a bit unfair, because those beers are exceptional (and cheap), and that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it ? (no).
I had the milk stout, a cool, rich NBSS 3.5+, expertly matched with a bag of Hendo’s “sort of” crisps.
My notes record a Led Zeppelin soundtrack, a baby crying, some welcome Hi-Vis colour at the bar,
and as 5pm approached a sense that the Raven might just be turning into the local boozer you want it to be.
Perhaps I should have stayed for another, the keg beers are potent. Instead I placed a takeaway order and headed up the hill.
retiredmartin 
Darn good price for your takeaway.
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An extraordinary amount of food, and not the oily stuff you get in other cheap places like north Notts. Unusual to get quite so much choice on an offer like that (Peshwari naans etc). Made 2 meals each.
Do you have takeaway curry near you ?
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Indian restaurant about a block away that does takeaway. Not bad, but not Manchester or Bradford quality. I do love making my own curries these days. I am also not of Manchester, Bradford or Nottingham quality😀 I do improve though.
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If you send it over I’m happy to score it, Dave.
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That’s what I thought.
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We were in the Chapel House, Gornal, on Sunday. Nice pub, full of life, OK Holdens beer. But similarly lacked “pubbiness” following refurb. Needs more nick-nacks, more clutter, I think.
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Coincidentally, Stafford Paul and I were discussing the Chapel House yesterday. I went on music night before Covid and enjoyed it at its best.
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The Chapel house was previously the Millers Arms. I think it was closed for a while and reopened with the new name after refurb and stripping the render off the lovely stone exterior.
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I was in the Raven yesterday (Sunday 3rd November). Those Loxley beers were exceptionally good.
Cheers. Robin
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Glad to hear that, Robin (of Loxley 😉).
The Raven has had really good quality beer, cask and keg, every visit. It’s just not a pub I particularly warm to. A bit of hot food might help.
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