Campaign for Real Pubs: The Slubbers Arms

The Slubbers Arms, Huddersfield, Yorkshire HD1 6HW

Stone-built pub in the sharp apex of two roads about half a mile north of the town centre. The cosy core of the pub surrounds the horseshoe-shaped central bar, with comfortable bench seating and a real fire on either side. There’s also a games room and a separate snug in the angle of the building which can be closed off for private meetings.

Formerly a Timothy Taylor’s tied house, it still features Boltmaker and Landlord as permanent beers, alongside typically three guests. It normally doesn’t open until late afternoon, but may open earlier when there is a match at the nearby John Smith’s stadium, when straightforward pub grub may also be served.

The name comes from a traditional wool processing technique.

WHAT ARE REAL PUBS?

Real pubs are pubs whose primary function is still the original core purpose of pubs – for people to meet and socialise over a few drinks.

They may serve food, and very good food at that, but they don’t allow it to dominate to the exclusion of all else. They’ll probably have a strong core of regular customers, but still make casual drinkers welcome. They may well serve a good drop of real ale, but won’t be full of beer bores droning on about hop varieties and IBUs.

In many parts of the country they’re getting very hard to find. In recent years, the smoking ban, beer duty hikes, the demonisation of “one-drink driving” and the general anti-alcohol climate have all had their effect, but such pubs do still survive if you know where to look and deserve to be celebrated.

Although in many ways they are a laudable organisation, this blog is not connected with and does not in any way represent the Campaign for Real Ale.

The inclusion of a pub does not necessarily reflect a recent visit by myself, although often it does.

The Slubbers Arms

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