A small single-fronted pub standing in the shadow of the bridge carrying St Petersgate over Little Underbank. It was originally a free house attached to the wine merchant’s next door actually under the arch, hence its local nickname of Turner’s Vaults.
In the 1980s, it was taken over by Samuel Smith’s, who carried out a very careful and thoughtful restoration project. In fact, although the general feel is very Victorian, much of what you see is a modern recreation, thus disqualifying it from a full entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory, although it does qualify for a mention under the category of Outstanding Conversion and Restoration.
On the bar counter are a couple of original fixtures carrying spirit taps – now disused – while to the rear it retains the “Compacto” urinal, described as the “World’s Smallest Gents’”. This was actually brought back into use immediately post-reopening, although it has been locked for many years as few modern men are skinny enough to be able to use it.
At the front of the pub is the main bar, with bench seating opposite the counter and in the window, while behind this is a distinctive “horse box” snug, and further back still a cosy toplit smoke room with a real fire, all featuring much dark wood. The present-day toilets are on the first floor up a flighgt of stone stairs.
There is the usual range of Sam’s beers including cask Old Brewery Bitter. No food is served, but there is often a good atmosphere generated by the archetypal Sam’s older male clientele.
