“So where’s tha bin since last I saw thee, not Ilkley Moor that’s for sure?”
“Bar T’at that’s where.”
“Bar T’at!”
“Aye Bar T’at.”
“What’s Bar T’at when it’s all there?”
“You never heard of Bar T’at?”
“Nay lad it’s a while since I were ower your way, what’s a lad like me missin?”
“The best Ale, Wine and Vidals hostelry in Ilkley that’s what.”
Standing within a few hundred yards of the historic town centre, possibly on the edge of a Roman road, Bar T'at is untypical of many Dales hostelries. Over the ten years since conversion from a shop an awesome variety of ales has flowed from it’s pumps. Coupled with fine wines, scrumptious food and that which costs nowt, good old Yorkshire hospitality. Being without background music, television and everything else most expect from a public house makes Bar T'at all the more inviting. And that’s where we’ll leave the touristy hype.
I’m often surprised at the number of old friends who gather at Bar T'at which proves there’s something worth travelling many miles to savour. On finding wi-fi access Bar T'at became my local, the computer failed but the ale and hospitality did not. In fact, like a good wine it gets better the longer you keep it, or in the case of Bar T'at the more you visit. Knowing it is a Cask Marque hostelry makes all the difference especially having staff who really know the difference between Ale, Porter and plonk.
Finding one is wheat intolerant made life distinctly difficult when out with friends. However thanks to Market Town Taverns and Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales, Bar T'at are the only hostelry in Ilkley to stock GFA - Gluten & Wheat Free Ale. While older hostelries have character on the outside it is those within who bring it’s real character to the fore. The folk behind the bar at Bar T'at enjoy their work as much as their custom enjoy their com-pany and that which they imbibe.
To sum up Ilkley without Bar T'at would be like roast beef without Yorkshire pudding.
Since this was first written whetever was causing the problem has vanished. Which is just as well because I can now enjoy my favourite beer - Mary Jane.
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