please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Originally off-map (greedyk), but persuaded by local knowledge to include as they at least offered guest ales, and so it proved. Gkipa, Abbot, OSH, Olde Trip, Milestone Raspberry wheat beer, Nott’ Brewery Legend, Dent Aviator & Rambrau. Claims to be the oldest Inn in England (c.1437) but despite the lovely york-stone slabs at the entrance and what I was informed was a truly ancient timber in the rt-hd front bar (which closed at 15:00), I’d have to agree with Td that not much else bears witness to its age. The beers listed above were on hp in the large rear room, long bar to the right, seating booths to the left, busy & rather noisy Sat pm but no probs, a list of previous licencees (1759 to present) decorates the upper wall. The front bars (that on the left being more modern in décor & style) offered far fewer beers on tap but I did additionally notice gk XX Mild & Refectory English Ale.
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A bit of Nottingham history that had to be included in our Nottingham crawl (despite being a GK pub). Not really worth the trouble - other than some of the flagstones there is nothing original left, at least in the back bar, partly I understand due to a fire. Had a pint of Nottingham Brewery legend which was fine, although not a patch on the same beer at the Plough Radford - the Brewery pub.
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reopened enjoyed it the bar is now lower it was over due a good clean love the black and white tiles behind the bar might do my bathroom .
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The pub is now closed completely for the refurb.
Had a few pints of mild there which were wonderful.
Never got to see the cellars (they run trips to see them on Tuesday evenings) sadly as they are on three levels and must be quite fascinating.
Oh well just have to go back!
Fingers crossed for the refurb. It is, allegedly, the largest pub in Nottingham so there is scope to have a mecca within the city centre however Greene King aren't noted for their creative streak so it might become yet another yoof bar or gastro pub!
Let's hope not.
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The Bell is having a serious refurb at the moment.just the one small sidebar open. Hopefully Greene King will allow it to become the pub it once was. that is the best real ale pub in the city centre but knowing greene king I doubt it
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Not a bad place, but there are better in Nottingham. You can feel a little out of place if you go at certain times of the day if you haven't got silver hair.
Slake - 27 Apr 2008 14:36 |
Exellent Ale, Stout & porter. Happy & friendly staff & still lives up to the old H & H traditions1
xh558 - 18 Mar 2008 16:50 |
Nice place. Needs a refurb but full of atmosphere. The olde trip was nice. shame about the green king stuff. To my surprise i found a beer festival out the back. Some lovely beers from Nottingham Brewery and Rugby brewery.
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Jazz nights on Tuesday are one of the best nights in all of Nottingham.
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The ubiquity of Greene King beers at such characterful pubs as this and Ye Olde Trip is rather disappointing, though the excellent Olde Trip beer was well worth it (though sadly now brewed in Bury St Edmunds). Full of nooks and crannies, which were all closed when we went, but would be interested in visiting again, though, as said, beer range is limited to largely dull Greene King fare.
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Absolute cracking pub. Good range of real ales on; perhaps the best in Nottingham. Tours of the caves beneath the pub take place on a Tuesday evening.
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needs ripping out and refurbishing
anonymous - 11 Nov 2007 15:28 |
Have never been treated so rudely in my life, i appreciate it can get busy in bars, however there is no excuse for the bar staff telling you to piss off when you have stood patiently for 20 minutes to get served(without even an acknowledgment), and you politely mention that you were before customers being served who have just arrived and i do stress politely!!! obviously an ok place if your a regular, someone needs to have a word!!
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Great old pub-pick one of the bars down either side or the main one at the back....I sometimes wonder if Nottingham deserves this pub-when you see some of the other slop merchants in the immediate area.
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A lovely old pub on the square, with 2 seperate bars, and live music in one (sometimes). Good for a quiet pint or 10.
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fantastic old style pub that makes all the other poser pubs in the immediate vicinity look abysmal in comparison. Good range of house and guest ales, layout gives it character and they had a cracking folk rock band on the other night. Nice staff too - very highly recommended.
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A lovely pub, the best in Nottingham. Good selection of ales, and the many little bars all have their own character and charm. Centrally placed, and steeped in history. I'm planning on yet another trip up to Nottingham, and hope to go here on a tuesday evening, when they do the tours of the caves and micro-brewery below.
A must visit.
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Good pint and good selection. Located in the city centre sqaure.
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Dont like smoke? Don't go. Always a good pint though.
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The classic Nottingham pub. Good beer and a wide range of. Always manage to smack my head on the way to the bog, will I ever learn. Was the first pub I ever went into in Nottingham, fond memories of it!
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Lovely pub with several rooms. The beer was absolutely superb tonight. Good atmosphere and live music - what more could you want. The atmosphere in the smaller rooms is completely different, which is part of its charm
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We met a friend here once and have since visited many times. Great staff. Good beer. Very friendly.
Thera - 28 Sep 2006 00:47 |
Don't worry "swift", it won't be a Hardy & Hanson's pub for much longer, it will be owned by Greene King. Make the most of it while you can, it's an excellent pub with darned good beer.
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Always visit 'The Bell' when in Nottingham. Very nice pub. Did prefer it before it became a Hardy and Hansons house. Having said that the selection of guest ales is usually pretty good. Even midweek daytime can get very busy. All in all, well worth a visit.
swift - 23 Aug 2006 10:18 |
Great pub good selection of well kept ales
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One of the best in Nottingham, although it suffers somewhat from its location.
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Excellent pub, very well kept ales, welcoming staff. A true traditional pub right in the centre I always make it a must on a visit to Nottingham.
However my last visit was almost spoilt by a minority of the clientele airing their racist views across the bar for all to hear, although this is no reflection on the pub itself these idiots should surely be able to find a much lower rated pub in Nottingham to match their low IQs.
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Was in last Thursday (1 December 2005) Brilliant night. Christmas ale festival on plus a Belgian Christmas beer fest plus a totally brilliant band called "Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath morris men" Beer tops, company tops and entertainment tops. If it's like this all the time then this pub is a must visit
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Highly recommended
A real gem in a city that is sadly drowning in a sea of characterless unwelcoming, chain pubs and bars - seek The Bell Inn out, plus also The Olde Trip to Jerusalem by the castle - which is a must, but forget the rest.
The Bell does jazz certain evenings of the week. There is also an upstairs restaurant, which I gather is well regarded locally, although I didn't get to eat
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Quality old boozer which does a superb pint of "Dark".
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Top traditional pub in an area which seems to be surrounded by chain pubs - Yatess, Goose, Wetherspoons etc
anonymous - 4 Jul 2005 13:43 |
Probably the oldest pub in Nottingham, according to the (very useful) beer guide available on the trams, although The Olde Trip would argue. It certainly goes back a long way from the front door, past two bars to the (presumably) main bar at the back. Good beer, a good crowd, good jazz. I'd recommend it thoroughly.
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Wonderful pub with a great range of beers.
On the day of our visit (24.5.2005) there were three Milds available. Friendly and helpful member of staff who made the time to have a chat with us. Sadly a rarity in any pub these days. We sampled Hardy & Hansons Mild and also an excellent one from Burton
Bridge. Both were superb.
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I spent 5 months in Nottingham as an Erasmus student (I'm Italian). Every Monday and Tuesday I spent the night in this characteristic pub, had a cool pint and listened to the jazz band. FANTASTIC!I have wonderful memories of this place!
Annelise - 31 Mar 2004 11:59 |
Marvellous pub with excellent guest beers on occasion. If it ever comes back, try the Jennings Cocker Hoop or Dark Mild - superb. The band is called the Omega Band and have been playing there almost every Monday night for the past 30+ years. Their rendition of "The Bear Necessities" has got to be heard. And look out for Kath.
Mark - 31 Mar 2004 08:20 |
I remember it well back in the Fall of '94 as an exchange student. They had Jazz on Monday nights "Talk of the Town" was the band I think. I went back in '99 and saw them again. They played a request I had asked them to play five years prior. It was a great place for a pint and great music if you didnt mind the smoke...
anonymous - 21 Sep 2003 05:45 |
The refurbishment has gone a bit over the top and the pseudo-nineteenth century advertising on the front with the garish paint is way over the top. On the plus side, now it's Hardy and Hansons you can't fault the beer. Shame about the back bar and a pity they don't open the belfry as often as they used to.
Phil - 2 Jul 2003 11:52 |
this place was awesome for a cosy pint on a cold day. Mind you beware the Beer called Rigwelter. I had one pint and felt i had been 10 rounds with giant haystacks. Jennings mild bitter also makes you have tar babies the next day!
anonymous - 24 Mar 2003 01:24 |
Since my previous visit a while back they've "refurbished" the back bar, completely ruining what used to be a cracking pub.
:-(
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Old, Old pub - has live Jazz on Sundays and a range of about 9 ales - excellent.
Olly - 5 Nov 2002 13:27 |
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