Hello folks and a very warm December welcome to our new subscribers.
It’s not going away is it? Covid (and all the new variants) is still with us and cases are still rising. The new restrictions have spared the hospitality sector (for now?), but there’s no reason why we can still all do our bit with hand sanitising (is that with us forever? probably) and social distancing. Facemasks are still optional for hospitality, but many people still choose to wear them, and why not if it gives you the confidence to go out and about?
Massive congratulations and thanks must be delivered to the Otley Beer Festival team, plus of course our wonderful landlords/landladies, and you the customers for such a wonderful event. A shame it wasn’t a little warmer for inter-pub wanderings, but nonetheless, we think, a brilliant weekend for the town. The OBF Committee must be further congratulated for organising such a fantastic menu of beers – surely something for everyone? And, delivering and co-ordinating. A momentous feat. Again, thanks to the pubs and bars for hosting the barrels – hopefully you were drunk dry (even though there were lots of half pints being served!), with plenty of additional business. I guess OBF will be getting feedback. Maybe a question for the Otley public – do you prefer a single venue event or the On-Tour event we saw this year? I guess there’s pro’s and con’s. Be interesting to see what the OBF Committee come up with next year.
Before we finish on the Festival, a shout out to the brilliant Christmas Fair event on the Saturday of the Festival up at the Yew Tree. Brilliant to see local produce & local talent being well supported. Not forgetting Dean & Jan’s Bay Horse Yard Bazaar – getting better and better, and on every Sunday in December – wonderful stuff!
Onto the main body of the newsletter. You’ll find Upcoming Events, Pub News (including Good Beer Guide entry again for ……. can you guess?) and Pub Events. In our And Finally section look out for notice of a January event run by your Pub Club!
UPCOMING EVENTS
After the success of the Halloween Hike around town, the newly formed Otley Pub Walkers are pleased to announce the next amble will a panto themed stroll where fancy dress will be encouraged. Date in January to be confirmed. Further strolls around town are in the pipeline and include an Easter [bonnet] Extravaganza in April; and a Summer of Love Stroll in July!
Why not give them a follow on Twitter @OtleyBootsnBeer to receive details and updates?
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022
We’re still in the planning stages of exactly how we will celebrate with our awesome pubs – especially with the extra Bank Holiday (Spring Bank Holiday will be moved from Monday May 30 to Thursday June 2, and there will be an extra Bank Holiday on Friday June 3 to make an extra long weekend). We’re open to ideas! Suggestions welcome to info@otleypubclub.co.uk, or come along to one of our socials for a chat – see below for venues and times.
Otley Carnival 2022
Again a bit far in the future, and again not really our story to tell. But as there were two people at the Otley Pub Club October meeting who had just joined the carnival committee, and who reported that there was likely to be a carnival again in 2022, we think that’s good news that we can all enjoy!
Otley Pride 2022
Again, not directly pub related, but could/should bring in a lot of extra business into town. A message from the OP 2022 team:
“A small group of Otley folk have come together with a vision of holding an Otley Pride in 2022. We now need some dedicated people to join us to form an Otley Pride Committee to create our first Pride event. Initial meetings have taken place. Any interested people can email us at otleypridels21@icloud.com or alternatively message our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/prideotley “
Things are moving on at a pace with an enthusiastic group of volunteers getting the wheels in motion. They still need help and you can get involved by using the above contacts.
The date has been set for July 16th 2022.
PUB NEWS
We’re still noticing that opening times are varying depending on time of day and footfall. Please check beforehand with the pub if you are making a special journey or meeting friends. It’s difficult for us to keep a definitive list of opening times, we try our best, so please be patient and remember, with all the great venues at our disposal, there’s nearly always an alternative!
An increasing trend is more places adopting Loyalty Cards or similar money-off drinks schemes. We thought we’d summarise what we know so far. If you know of any more please let us know:
Bay Horse loyalty card. You load up your pre-paid card (card supplied by Dean & Jan) and get 10% discount on all purchases. Also, accumulating points (for discounts) and spontaneous drinks offers.
Otley Taps via the App only but for both purchases from the bar or the burger van. Every £20 spent gets you 1 stamp. Collect 6 stamps and receive £10 discount on your next purchase. This is in addition to their existing Ale Club discount scheme of cask ale pints for £2.50 12-5pm Monday to Thursday – either via the app or at the bar.
Whitakers – Become a Whits Loyalty Card member today & start saving money on your drinks.
Benefit from our usual Happy Hour prices All Day Every Day from just £50 per person.
!!! INCLUDING WEEKENDS !!!
That’s 50p off all pints & £1 off bottles of wine….ALL THE TIME!!!
Message via Facebook or WhatsApp with any questions.
01943 968020
*LOYALTY CARD PRICES APPLY TO NAMED & PICTURED CARD HOLDERS DRINKS ONLY AND NOT PER ROUND*
Also, ongoing Happy hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm 50p off selected pints and £1 off bottles of wine
Black Bull – House Doubles £3.50 with a “dash”, £4.50 with Premium Mixer
Double up on Premium Spirits for just £1.50 extra
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 3pm to 5pm 50p off selected drinks
White Swan – launch of our loyalty cards, buy 6 pints get the 7th free. On selected products only.
Ask behind the bar for more details.
Tavern – Happy Hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm – 50p off beers making John Smiths £2.30 and cask ales less than £2.00
There may very well be others. Please check with the bar person about the deal as you order. We cannot be responsible for change of terms and conditions.
Old Cock
Many, many congratulations to Lee, Linda and the team for yet another inclusion in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2022. A message from the Lee:
“We are very proud to be included. We have been listed every year since we opened on 2010 which is a great achievement and credit must go to all our hard working staff and everyone involved at the pub. We would not be where we are now were it not for all our amazing customers and your continued support, thank you”
Well, from us all here at OPC, thank you Lee for providing such a fantastic venue!
Tapas & Tunes (Corner of Mercury Row and Kirkgate)
We’ve not been yet personally, but according to reviews, it’s been a wonderful start. Booking essential at the moment. Seems to be a great addition to the Otley scene.
Rose & Crown
A belated welcome back Wayne Green (formerly at Whitakers and Bay Horse). Opening every day and hopefully bringing much needed stability to this wonderful pub. Sunday lunches continue to be well supported with Wayne saying full 7 day menu will be re-introduced soon. Also, free jukebox Wednesday 7 til close.
PUB EVENTS
Bay Horse
The Bay Horse Bazaar is a local makers and street food market, with Live Music, situated in the Bay Horse Court and will take place on the last Sunday of each month, and unlike the farmer’s Market every Sunday in December! Hot drinks and food available!!
Snow not mandatory, but certainly made a nice scene last time! Brrrhhh, and rumour has it “the best hand driers in town!!”
Loyalty card – see above
Black Bull
Karaoke & Disco Nights every Friday 8pm til midnight with DJ Fozzie, including Friday Christmas Eve – “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party”
Every Saturday til Christmas (4th, 11th & 18th) = “Jingle& Mingle” Christmas Party nights! And who doesn’t like a Christmas Party eh?
New Year’s Eve Party Friday Dec31 – free entry 8pm til late – All welcome
Drinks offers ongoing:
House Doubles £3.50 with a “dash”, £4.50 with Premium Mixer
Double up on Premium Spirits for just £1.50 extra
Mon-Fri Happy Hour 3pm to 5pm 50p off selected drinks
Black Horse
Meet Father Christmas and his elves, accompanied by The Otley Brass Band – Sunday 19th December in the Courtyard Grotto – 2pm onwards. Free entry to Black Horse customers.
Also, as well as their 1st Weds of the month quiz (see below) there’s a Big Christmas Quiz on Weds 15th Dec at 8pm. Max 6 people per team. Entry £1 per person with a winning prize of £30 bar tab!
Brand new to Otley – Outdoor Cinema throughout December showing Christmas Films for free! Saturday 4th, 11th and 18th Dec there will be 2 film shows in the beer garden, (which is now again fully covered) at 1pm and 4pm
A message from the BH team:
“December calls for Christmas films! We’ve got Festive Hot drinks, free popcorn, warm blankets, heaters, and delicious winter snacks! So wrap up and join us for holiday fun!”
Check out their Facebook page for film listings details: https://www.facebook.com/BlackHorseOtley
Big Quiz 1st Weds of the month @ 8pm (£1 per person, max 6/team, winning prize £30 bar tab)
Don’t forget the rooms have been beautifully refurbished and are now available for your family and friends to come and stay in town. Call in, ring 01943 465950 or email on booking@theblackhorseotley.co.uk for prices and availability.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thurs: midday to 11pm
Fri & Sat: midday to 1am
Sun: 11.30am – 11pm
Fleece
Congratulations (yet again!) to The Fleece team on being voted #1 Restaurant in Otley on Tripadvisor
Steak & Wine Days – all day Weds & Thurs. 2 x rump steak dinner with a bottle of house wine only £30. Saving £16.85
NEW SATURDAY OFFER, any 2 1/2lb beef burgers from the menu and 4 bottles of beer £30. Saving £9.90
FISH N FIZZ FRIDAY OFFER, 2 x fish n chips and a bottle of Prosecco only £30. Saving £12.85
The Fleece also tell us they are fully booked on Christmas Day and so closed for walk-ins.
Opening Hours:
Mon & Tues: Closed
Weds – Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm (food: 12 – 8.45pm)
Sun: 11.30pm – 6.30pm (food: 12 – 5pm)
Also a date for your dairy: The Fleece will be closed from Monday 3rd January 2022 and reopen on Wednesday 12th January 2022 at 11.30am
Groove Pad
Great to see live music back on here – keep your eyes peeled for future events
Don’t forget Quiz Night every Weds 8.30pm (£20 Groove Pad gift voucher up for grabs)
Opening hours:
Mon: Closed
Tues – Thurs: 2pm – 11.30pm
Fri – Sun: midday – 11.30pm
Horse & Farrier
Great to see the H&F getting some good food (a great menu by the way) and drink business. Their 4 beautifully restored bedrooms are open for Bed&Breakfast. Pop in or call 01943 468400 for prices and availability.
Opening Hours:
Mon – Weds: Midday to 10pm
Thurs – Sat: Midday to 11pm
Sun: Midday to 10.30pm
Junction
Live music continues every Tuesday and Saturday.
Plus Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions from 3pm.
Keep your eyes on their social media as there may be last minute alterations to the booked acts: https://www.facebook.com/thejunctioninnotley
And of course, the legendary fire!
Open from midday to 11pm every day
Christmas Day open Midday to 3pm
Manor House
Another legendary fire! But still limited to weekend openings:
Fridays 16:00 – 01:00 (Open mic nights from 8.30)
Saturdays 14:00 – 01:00 (Music from 9pm)
Sundays 16:00 – 00:30.
New Irish traditional music sessions first Sunday afternoon of the month. STOP PRESS – Special Christmas Irish Trad session Dec 27th from 2pm!
North Bar
Open from midday every day and closes at 11pm, except for Friday and Saturday (midnight) and Sunday (10pm)
Their beautiful Session Pale has been replaced by Vanishing Point (3.8% ABV Blonde Ale) as their staple cask ale offering – looking forward to trying it, plus 10p from every pint sold goes to Action Against Hunger UK – well done guys – great stuff
Old Cock
We loved the Cumbrian Beer festival held last weekend – some lovely beers from Hawkshead, Conniston & others – looking forward to the next one!
Another legendary fire (ok, wood burning stove!) Great drink selections. Usually post daily on Fbook with changing beer options. Give them a follow: https://www.facebook.com/theoldcockotley/?fref=ts
Open 11am to 11pm every day
Otley Tap House
Ale Club – Remember you can get some cracking cask ale pints for £2.50 12-5pm Monday to Thursday.
Quiz every Tues @ 8.15pm (50p per person – £95 in gift cards to be won), plus Play Your Cards Right (£1 to play – cash jackpot)
And don’t forget the Burgers, or the live sport on the huge screen!
Mondays Burger Offer:
Any single burger, fries and drink £8.45
175ml wine (excluding Prosecco)
Any single spirit and/or mixer
Any pint of beer or cider
Any large soft drink
Any bottled beer or cider.
Offer available 12.00 – 21:30
Loyalty Card via the App – see above
Otley Tavern
Food suspended for the time being – hoping to restart in the new year.
Quiz Wednesdays
Karaoke Sundays 5pm to 10pm (incl. Bingo!)
Live Saturday night music plus DJs. Big screen sports available
Great drinks offers – Happy Hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm – 50p off beers making John Smiths £2.30 and cask ales less than £2.00 – Brilliant!
Red Lion
Big screen sports. Also, free pool every Weds 5pm onwards
Roebuck
Christmas Quiz – Weds Dec 22 at 8pm – great prizes. Please call for more info
The Festive menus are flying out and the booking are coming in just as quick!
If your planning a works Christmas meal, family or friends pre-Christmas gathering then they’ve got some great menus for you! Available throughout December till 23rd (excluding Sundays)
For more information give us a call on 01943 463063
Bar opening hours:
Closed on Monday during the winter
Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 to 22:00
Sunday – 11:00 to 20:00
Kitchen hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Sunday 12:00 – 6.00pm
Rookery
Upcoming Events include The Dunwells live – returning for their annual Christmas show Monday Dec 27th 7pm til late – plus, due to extra demand, The Dunwells will also be there Tues Dec 28, and also, Mark Morriss of The Bluetones live Feb 26th at 7pm
Also, the re-scheduled Tom Hingley gig is confirmed for Sat Jan 22 at 7pm
Check out events on their F’book site: https://www.facebook.com/therookerybar
Opening hours: Daily 4pm to Midnight, except Saturday open at Midday
Rose & Crown
See above entry welcoming Wayne back to Otley! Sunday lunches (serving 12-4pm) are flying out.
Opening hours are midday to 11pm daily
Twitter: @TheCrownOtley
Message from Wayne “Been asked to work from home? Why not work from the pub instead! Superfast broadband, lots of charging points, hot drinks, soft drinks and of course alcohol for that end of day treat. Private booths and quiet corners too”
Royalty
Open daily Midday to 7pm
Autumn/Winter menus are out.
View the new menus here: https://the-royalty.co.uk/menus/
Book your table today: https://togo.uk.com/makeBookingv2?venueid=890&nv=true
Open Midday to 7pm daily, except Saturday open at 11.30am
Shadow Brewing
Open Fri and Sat 6pm to 10pm
Whitaker’s Arms
Home cooked food served daily 12pm-4pm (Closed all day Wednesdays)
Thursday 7.30pm (note 30mins earlier!) Quiz Night – £1 per person to enter & the winning team takes the Pot. Complimentary sandwiches during the interval – brilliant!
Opening hours:
Mon – Thurs: Midday to 9pm (Closed Weds)
Fri & Sat: Midday to 11pm
Sun: Midday to 6pm
Happy hour(s) – Mon to Fri 4pm to 7pm 50p off selected pints and £1 off bottles of wine – Great stuff!
Live music returns Sat 4th Dec, plus regular karaoke/DJ nights soon. Keep your eyes peeled to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whitakersotley
Loyalty card – see above
White Swan
First Wednesday of the month = Night Quiz at 7.30pm – Cash prizes available (£1 entry per person)
Opening times are 12pm till 11pm everyday
Great to see even more live acoustic music returning to Otley, check out the events: https://www.facebook.com/The-White-Swan-Otley-102190998856070
Our good friend Jason tells us that the kitchen refurb is complete. Expect food offerings beginning in December
Loyalty card – see above
A message from the White Swan team “Any donations to The Sick Children’s Trust over this festive season would be greatly appreciated” – there’s a collection box on the bar – well done everyone!
Yew Tree
A range of festive events – just north of the river (it ain’t that far – honest!)
On Thursday 23rd December we will be doing a special Christmas Seniors Lunch from 12 til 2pm. £5.95 for a Turkey dinner (or veggie option). Booking essential! (We’re not too strict on age!)
Christmas Eve – Festive Fun Quiz Night, 8pm – 10pm
Bookings now being taken for our Boxing Day Carvery, served 12.30 til 4.30pm. 2 hour slots available for each sitting.
Every Friday night in December we are having 3 course Christmas party nights with DJ and Disco, just £17.95pp. Limited availability!
New Years Eve – NYE Party!
For all events message us or ring 01943 461330 to book
Quiz on 7.30pm Sunday and the first Tuesday in the month 8pm til 9pm.
Don’t forget the amazing food
Thursday (12-2pm) Seniors lunch £4.95 inc a drink (draught ale, soft drink or tea/coffee)
Sunday carvery (12.30 – 4pm) £8.95
Message via Fbook, or ring 01943 461330 to book a table
https://www.facebook.com/yewtreeotley
Phew!
As usual, there is so much news that we can’t really cram it all in – live music, quizzes, great food and drink, karaoke and open mics, sport on TV and so much more in the pubs of our #famouspubtown!
But here’s a recurring plea to all the landlords in town – please drop us a line to info@otleypubclub.co.uk if there’s something you want us to put in the newsletter! Although we try to share all your social media posts, we don’t sit reading Facebook and Twitter all day every day, and scanning them all every month when we’re producing the news for our 700 readers takes hours. Worse than that, some of the media – even on websites – might be out of date, but we have no real way of knowing, so we might be giving out completely wrong information!
And Finally….
Try January – Alcohol free beer tasting night!
At the moment, all thoughts are on December and Christmas – and enjoying
our famous pubs at this time of year. However when it gets to January,
our pubs need support more than ever (especially with the latest Covid
restrictions).
Otley Pub Club are hosting an Alcohol free beer tasting night to show
that you can enjoy a beer even when not drinking and that you can still
get out and support pubs!
We also hope (if the pubs inform us) to let you know in January all the
alcohol free choices in each pub, so that you can continue to support
our pubs even if you are not drinking alcohol for some or all the month!
So we’ll send out a separate email about this event and how to get tickets. Watch this space!
We at Otley Pub Club missed out on our big 10 year anniversary party, so we hope to re-schedule for the New Year, where we might include our AGM, to which you will all of course be invited. There are a couple of Committee positions open and we’d love you get get involved and fill them. Remember, we are a purely volunteer Community-based club, with the main aim of promoting all of Otley’s great drinking establishments. The only qualification you need is to be enthusiastic about our #FamousPubTown. More details as we get them finalised. Stay tuned.
Otley Pub Club meet up in a different pub in Otley on the first Thursday of every month to discuss anything and everything happening in Otley and in its pubs, and everybody is welcome to join us. We start at about 7pm to discuss any semi-formal stuff, then finish with that at 8 and spend the rest of the evening chatting about whatever comes up.
So if you fancy perhaps seeing the inside of a pub that you’ve never been in; or you’ve got a burning issue about Otley’s pubs that you’ve been dying to share; or maybe if you just fancy a drink and a chat and all your mates are doing something else; check out the times below for our next meeting and you can join us at any time in any of the pubs along the way.
We’ll be in these pubs and at least one of us will be wearing something black with an obvious Otley Pub Club logo on it so we’re recognisable!
Next Social: Thursday January 6th 2022 – put the date in your calendar. Venues and times will be advertised through our usual social media outlets nearer the time.
Well folks, that’s it for this month. Please remember, if you want to get in touch email to info@otleypubclub.co.uk, or why not come along to one of our monthly socials…
Cheers for now. See you all out and about in our #FamousPubTown
Oh yes, have a safe and very Happy Christmas!
The OPC Committee
www.otleypubclub.co.uk
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