please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Bell is in the central shopping area and is another Greene King pub. There are a number of bars. We first tried one in a room in the right as we walked in. But there were no staff in there and the reaction from drinkers in the room was that there was unlikely to be for some time. We tried another room across the central corridor. There were staff present, but a limited ale selection. Persevere and continue to the largest room at the rear. There were multiple bar staff and the full range of ales - Greene King Bell Inn Bitter, IPA & Abbot, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Nottingham Extra Pale & Robin Hood, Shipstones Original, Grafton Caramel Stout, Magpie Cherry Raven & Oakham Green Devil. The World Cup match between France and Argentina was just reaching half time. We were rather amused by the guy dressed as a cowboy with a cucumber in his holster at the bar. A nice old pub, that was busy on our visit. But there is plenty of space for the throngs.
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A fine, historic pub. It must be 10+ years since I last visited. A great place with numerous rooms and efficient, friendly service at the bar. I enjoyed a pint of the local Nottingham Brewery Extra Pale Ale which was in fine form. At £3.20 a pint it was not a bad price for city centre these days. Well worth a visit. 8/10.
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Hmm, popped in here yesterday and my wife, dressed in the loudest red coat you imagine, she got completely ignored by the bar staff. She was waiting to order, money in hand and yet 2 other people turned up after us and they got served first! Poor training there, if there was any training at all. It wasn't even that busy, we just left and still were not noticed. Went to The Dragon instead, what a contrast.
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Enjoyed a couple of pints of Guinness and a nice steak on our way to a concert. Really enjoyed both and the staff were very helpful and efficient. Will call in again next time we're in the area.
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Multiple bars and a tardis like interior. A pint of Bell for me. Sat in the window and watch the variety and madness of a wednesday night student fancy dress parade. My god, what a sight.
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Clearly a small, old pub at one time that has been opened out greatly at the back. Large, dark wooded interior. Beer range not excessive, but no complaints on the quality. Busy, even early in the week.
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Always a must for me when I pop into town. Friendly barmaid in the back room, decent choice of ales other than the GK range. Had the Nottingham Bell Inn Bitter and the Cotswold Lion, both in good nick! Breakfast well priced at £3.95 as well.
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Still a great pub never seems to change. Can't beat escaping the shoppers with a pint or four of Staropramen in the left-hand bar at the front...breath out, drink beer and relax ahhhhhh......
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Finished a mini-crawl of Nottingham in here on Saturday night. Remarkably quiet, which is unusual for this place, usually rammed - perhaps it's because the students aren't back to uni yet. Good selection of ales in good condition. The barmaid informed us that the main room at least will be closing for a week in the near future for yet another makeover.
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Usually a decent selections of guest ales on for a GK pub. Can get busy. Staff friendly. As far as GK pubs go, not bad!
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This is a Greene King pub but it does offer a fair selection of guest ales often including one from the Nottingham Brewery. It has recently been refurnished but has keep the three bars - quite pleasant overall. Can be annoying at quieter times as the bar staff appear to have to run the 3 bars between them and you can wait ages for a beer. However,always worth a visit.
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Last used this place in 2006 when I had my leaving party from a job in Nottingham. I really hope the GK takeover hasn't spoilt it as when I used to go the beer was top notch & the food pretty good.
I was a regular for the Jazz nights with the fabulous Jamie Johnston Quintet (?) & they were kind enough to play a request in honour of my moving on. Here's to the "Gentlemen of the Orkes-tra" & hope your pint pot brims with donations!
If I were to visit Nottingham again here & the Vic in Beeston would be two of the first places I'd go.
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a very good pub doing what very good pubs do!
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Great live Jazz. Medium sized main room with two snugs. Unfortunately it's often oppressively packed. Beer selection is fairly average and service can be very slow. In spite of this, it's still a lovely old fashioned city pub.
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Great selection of Local Ale (I had something from Castle Rock) and a very nice Fish & Chips. Only been there once but if I'm back in Nottingham I'll definitely be going back.
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We go to The Bell frequently. We try other pubs and just end up back at The Bell. We went for a meal recently and the portions were nicely sized, not too big, not too small, and very good, too. Reasonably priced. What's not to love?
Thera - 13 Jun 2010 15:39 |
Ahh the Bell. My favourite place in town, especiallyon Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings.
The food is generally good, and they really promote Local beer - big promoter of CAMRA's LocAle scheme.
They are big on Nottingham brewery, though there usually 3 ro 4 guests on as well - a different one in each bar usually.
Surprisingly this is a Greene King pub. Thankfully this isn't evident when you're there. A blessing and a sign that the pub is serious about being a pub rather than a corporate entity. Long may it continue!
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We visited this Pub on a Monday evening when they had on a very good Jazz band . The food was very tasty and reasonable for a town centre establishment. The beer was in excellent condition with a good choice. Very good Pub , the only thing I wasnt keen on was that it feels and looks like its part of a big chain , but it isnt ( I dont think it is ) Stays open until 11:30 . Well worth a visit
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Most Germans who like beer also like traditional English pubs. As an exception to my compatriots I also like traditional English beer, cask beer. So whenever I am in an English town I explore it to find the right pubs with the right beers.
I recently stayed in Nottingham for a few days. There is a keen competition among four pubs which claim to be the oldest pub of England or at least of Nottingham (Bell Inn, Royal Children, Salutation Inn and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem). The pub my wife and I liked most was the Bell Inn. In the following I would like to explain why we did this choice and not why we did not select one of the others.
Whenever you enter a pub you have got an instant feeling (gut feeling) whether this pub is a pub you like. In modern words it is the ambiente that creates this impression. Is the pub dark, is there a lot of brightness by lamps or windows? How does the floor look like e.g. is the carpet clean? Are there empty glasses standing around? How does the bar look like? Cleanliness is vital for a proper pub. What about the staff? How do they look like? Are they decently dressed? What about a proper haircut? How does the small talk situation start if you order your drinks and food? Is there any help? Are there recommendations in general and for the day? What about the choice of traditional ales? What about the menu?
I could add some more important evaluation aspects but that will do for the moment.
So we compared the above mentioned pubs and came to the conclusion that The Bell Inn was our favourite: We felt comfortable and relaxed whenever we went there. The staff were nice, friendly and helpful. I had the chance to compare the offered traditional ales by giving me small amounts and not a complete half pint. The choice of meals was good and the quality excellent. The plates were immediately taken away after the meal We did not have anything to complain. As I was so much interested in getting more information on real ale and the technique behind it the landlord finally showed me the beer cellar which was in the caves under the pub.
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We met friends at Saturday lunchtime and I hadn't been in for about a year.
The Bell is still a stonker. Beer excellent ,staff outstanding, food superb. Say no more.
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After a grueling but pleasurable trawl through the racks of CD's at Fopp Records, we headed for some lunch at the Bell Inn. The last time I had been in this pub was around four years ago during a beer festival. Although the atmosphere was different this time, due to the fact that it was lunch time and the place was populated with older ladies lunching, as opposed to the raucous beer festival crowd, nether the less I am glad that I returned to this venue. The bar staff were very helpful in recommending beers and food. I went for the Rock bitter and my friend had the mild. If you read my other Nottingham review, there is a pattern emerging. There were plenty of excellent sausage options on the menu but in reality these didn�t all materialise because there were problems with the supplier, however, the bangers that we did have were excellent. If you are in Nottingham town centre during the week you really should head for this fine pub. Even as a blind person I was able to tell that the toilets were spot on.
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Was made very welocme when I visited recently. I was staying in the city on business and was on my own. The staff made me feel like a local and the excelent Ye Olde Trip kept me coming back. Food pretty decent and not a bad price.
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Only been in this pub once while on a trip to the city.
I really enjoyed my visit, the ale was excellent with a moderate selection, staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was good.
I will definately go back there if I return to Nottingham.
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One of Nottingham's last remaining proper pubs. Great atmosphere, great beer and not expensive either. Because of the place's popularity it can be a chore to get a seat, but there's nothing can be done about that. Hope they never change it.
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The Bell Inn is another of Nottingham's well known ancient pubs - indeed on the outside it proclaims itself as "Nottingham's Oldest Inn". Apparently it dates back to 1437. It's situated on the edge of the main square in Nottingham City Centre - the Old Market Square.
As you come in, there's a small snug type room either side of a central corridor. These 2 rooms have their own bar counters, but the beer range is smaller than in the main bar, which is accessed through the central corridor. The main bar is carpeted and wood pannelled. There's a separate restaurant upstairs.
Formerly a Hardy & Hansons pub, it's now of course owned by Greene King. Alongside the IPA, Abbott and Olde Trip were beers from the Nottingham Brewery and, timing my arrival 4 minutes into the start of happy hour, I was able to enjoy a decent pint of Legend for � 2.00p.
The 2 small rooms at the front , whilst retaining fine etched and leaded windows have unfortunately been partly given the light pine wooden floor treatment which doesn't sit comfortably with the age and general ambience of the pub to me.
In one of the rooms is a framed scorecard from a cricket match between Sussex and Notts in 1840 which Sussex won by 14 runs.
There is live jazz in the main bar some evenings.
The Bell is not a must visit pub, but is worth including in any Nottingham City Centre crawl
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Yet another pub in Nottingham that claims to be the oldest inn in England. Why?
Who really gives a toss how old a pub is ?
The Bell inn looks small from the outside, but once you cross the threshold there are various bars all over the place.
A narrow hallway leads you to the main bar where most of the action takes place.
I just happened to bump into 2 people i knew there.
He was eating a something that looked like steak wrapped up in Yorkshire Pudding with lots of chips and green stuff. It looked nice.
Unfortunately, I treated myself to a wholesome portion of fish & chips in Nottingham Racecourse an hour earlier so I wasn't hungry. (Had 3 winners though).
She was drinking mineral water, so I have no comment to make here.
I invested some of my winnings in a pint of "Rock".
No complaints.
I'm looking forward to going back to The Bell to try one of the smaller bars nearer the door.
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It's been "renovated" so there isn't much to suggest that it's the oldest inn in the country but it's still a nice place to be. The location is superb on slab square and you can sit outside and watch the trams go by (table service only if you're outside). As at 02/04/2009 the Abbot ale was �2.55 per pint which, given the 5% abv and pub location, is a bargain imho. By far the best pub on the square.
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We called in during weekday afternoon, there were four of us who all liked the back bar. It has been considerably revamped but still serves a good selection of beers that are well kept.
Its the best pub on the Square.
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Called in on Saturday lunchtime prior to heading to the Canalhouse for the beer festival. Flag floor entrance with a small room on each side. Larger room at the back with the Belfrey restaurant upstairs. The restaurant sells exactly the same food as the pub but has full service rather than order at the bar. The small bar on the left has a couple of handpumps but the back bar has 8. Nottingham Rock, Legend, Extra Pale, Holdens Devil Dunn plus a couple of nationals. Had a Rock and an Extra Pale, both excellently kept. Pub was pretty full with shoppers even at 12.10. It's still pretty good is this place.
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called at the bell today on a "christmas markets" day out.
the place is tastefully done out in "olde english" style in the two small bars at the front of the building. There is also a large bar to the rear inside.
unfortunately the barmaid was having great difficulty with a customers debit card in one room, there was no staff in the other, and the large bar at the rear was chocker. took this as a bad omen, and left. not rated.
on the upside, we found the roebuck [jdw] instead!
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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 d�cor & 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 |
