The Gaping Goose, Garforth

What a shame. Unwelcoming bar staff (landlady?), downright rude in fact. No eye contact, no 'hello', no smile. And it wasn't just us aging skinheads (with money in our pockets though) that were treated in such a way. Our beer was served to us with no care or courtesy. Admittedly she did at least say 'Thanks' when we paid, albeit begrudgingly. We actually thought that perhaps she mistook us for some other people who had maybe caused trouble at some point. We certainly didn't feel welcome.

The beer was awful. Pretty near undrinkable. We had a pint of Thwaites Wainwright and Theakstons Lightfoot. Both were sour, antiseptic tasting wastes of our money. We both left at least a third. We told the bar staff, but she wasn't interested. Just said it was a shame we didn't like it.
There may be mitigating circumstances surrounding the attitude and the beer, and if so then I'm sorry for this review. But the bottom line in a real ale pub is the beer, and if it's undrinkable then the pub is going to fail pretty quickly.

So, yes what a shame....this pub used to be a fine Tetleys house, and it has the potential to be a superb local. After all, the pub architecture is very appealing (despite there being at least one TV too many), the new decking should be a benefit (although it has become essentially a smoker's shed) and its location in Garforth is ideal. But there is something sadly, badly wrong here. I live in Garforth, and I won't be going back for some time. The George just down the road, despite being modern and more of an eatery, is a far better drinkers experience than the GG.

28 Apr 2011 12:43

New Delight Inn, Blackshaw

Firstly the beer was excellent.
The food was very average, but then again not too expensive.
However, the barman was about the rudest I have ever encountered. When my 2 mates and myself walked in the bar was empty, yet the barman couldn't even look up from his paper let alone give us a warm welcome. Once we'd decided on our drinks, we had ask him to serve us, which he did sullenly and with no enthusiasm whatsoever. I can only assume this bloke was a hired help rather than the landlord. No wonder pubs are going out of business. I really didn't want to give him my money, but we I was starving. I wouldn't go back through choice.

24 Feb 2009 17:03