Halifax buzzes in the afternoon before a Piece Hall gig. Here is our 12 Best Halifax Pubs list with a handy location map of a choice of pubs to visit before a Piece Hall Gig!
Each of our Best Halifax Pubs is described, plus so you can plan your time in Halifax, we’ve included walking distances and walking times to the Piece Hall marked* and walking distances and times from Halifax Railway Station are marked**
Best Halifax Pubs – Down Tools Raise a Glass and Go to the Halifax Piece Hall Gig!
Contents
1 Kobenhavn Bar – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
KØBENHAVN is a craft beer bar in the centre of Halifax near the Piece Hall, located under the glass roof of the buzzing Westgate Arcade, where there’s a substantial seating area.
Kobenhavn Bar Halifax – Under Cover External Seating in the Westgate Arcade
KØBENHAVN has 24 beers on tap and 6 handpulled ales. There are some interesting sour beers, fruit beers and lagers to be found amongst the array of pale ales and IPAs.
Kobenhavn Halifax Craft Beer and Veltins Lager
KØBENHAVN is the Danish way of spelling Copenhagen and the Kobenhavn Bar is Scandinavian in style as its name suggests and is owned and run by the team behind Halifax’s award-winning Victorian Craft Beer Café.
*Kobenhavn Bar Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 130 metres, 2 minutes.
**Kobenhavn Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 525 metres, 6 minutes
KØBENHAVN Bar Halifax Address: Shop 6 Westgate Arcade, Halifax HX1 1DJ England
2 The Hourglass – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
Near the Piece Hall and running off the middle of the Westgate Arcade is The Hourglass, run by brother and sister Jamie and Tyler Carr, who also own The Wine Barrel Bar inside the Piece Hall.
Their impressive illuminated bar serves keg ales, one from SALT brewery, lagers, cocktails, spirits, and coffees.
Salt Jute Session IPA 4.2% Craft Beer at the HourGlass Bar Halifax
There is plenty of outdoor seating in front, with a retractable awning and two heavy-duty hospitality covers.
Every Saturday afternoon (1:30 pm to 3:30 pm) there are live music sessions in the arcade’s adjacent performing area from local bands and national touring acts.
The Hourglass Bar Westgate with Outdoor Seating and Performing Area
*The Hourglass Bar Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 125 metres, 2 minutes
**Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 490 metres, 6 minutes
The Hourglass Bar Hourglass Bar Address 2 Albion St, Halifax HX1 1DU (off Westgate Arcade)
3 The Railway Hotel Pub – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
The Railway Hotel is conveniently located between Halifax Railway Station and the Piece Hall, directly next to the Piece Hall’s Southgate entrance which is a popular way in for Piece Hall gig-goers with general tickets. The Railway Hotel has a popular undercover area by the Piece Hall’s Southgate archway entrance.
The Railway Hotel in Halifax has 10 comfortable rooms and the pub’s popular bar serves award-winning Yorkshire Timothy Taylors real ale.
The Railway Hotel pub bar in Halifax opens at 12 noon every day and closes at 12 midnight Monday to Thursday and 1:00 am on Friday and Saturday (Sunday 10:30 pm).
Contact the Railway Hotel by phone and email
*The Railway Hotel Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 30 metres, 30 seconds
**The Railway Hotel Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 220 metres, 3 minutes
The Railway Hotel Halifax Address: The Railway Hotel, Horton Street, Halifax HX1 1QE
4 Vocation & Co. Halifax – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
With three different bar themes on three floors, there’s something for everyone at Vocation & Co. Halifax:
On the ground floor, there is the cask ale and craft beer – the Tap Room Bar with its New York-style giant pizza slices Wonder Wheel servery.
Ground Floor at the Vocation in Halifax – Tap Room Bar with Cask Ale and Craft Beer
Vocation & Co Halifax Cocktail and Craft Beer Lounge
Upstairs Vocation’s Cocktail and Craft Beer Lounge-The two Cocktails Pictured are Halifax Tarts!
Vocation Halifax Roof Terrace
When the sun is out, the Vocation Halifax Roof Terrace is a great place to visit before a Piece Hall gig. It has its own dedicated small Cocktail and Craft Ale bar so you don’t have to go downstairs for your drink order.
Vocation Roof Terrace Alexandra Street Halifax – The Pizzas are from the Wonder Wheel servery on the Ground Floor
The Vocation Roof Terrace offers a great view of the building opposite – the splendid Alexandra Hall which opened in 1931 and was built by the Halifax Building Society whose HQ building was adjacent. In the 1950s and 1960s it was used as a concert venue and the Halifax wrestler Big Daddy was a bouncer.
*Vocation & Co. Halifax Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 220 metres, 3 minutes
**Vocation & Co. Halifax Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 520 metres, 6 minutes
Vocation & Co. Halifax Address: Vocation & Co 13-17 Alexandra Street, Halifax HX1 1BS
5 The Victorian Craft Beer Café – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
Opened in 2014, the Victorian, with its emphasis on craft and cask ales has been an important part of a wider transformation, putting Halifax and Calderdale on the map, both nationally and internationally, as a heritage and cultural destination. The Victorian has many different atmospheric areas throughout its layout, including an upstairs minstrel’s gallery. Typically, there are 8 cask ales, 2 ciders plus 12 keg craft beers on tap.
The Victorian has 100 bottled and canned beers on chill, including a large selection of Belgian beers – and the single malt whisky selection is reputed to be the best in the area.
The Victorian’s pork pies and coffee are good and they have a large selection of teas, soft drinks & wine.
The Victorian Craft Beer Café is adjacent to Halifax’s splendid Harveys Department Store and a 2-minute walk from Bull Green car park. At the end of Powell Street, you will also see Gin Lane a boutique bar, terrace and restaurant at the magnificent Georgian Somerset House with its magnificent Georgian architecture.
Also worth considering – The Gin Lane Halifax – set in the magnificent Somerset House and Courtyard and can be seen from The Victorian Craft Beer Café’s entrance.
*The Victorian Craft Beer Café Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 340 metres, 4 minutes
**The Victorian Craft Beer Café Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 600 metres, 7 minutes
The Victorian Craft Beer Café Address: The Victorian Craft Beer Café 18 – 22 Powell St, Halifax, HX1 1LN
6 Meandering Bear – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
The Meandering Bear with its informal setting is located close to the Piece Hall’s Westgate and Southgate entrances entrance and offers a great range of cask & keg ales & lagers, cocktails and spirits. Typically there are 7 cask ales and 6 keg craft beers, a niche premium lager, and a craft cider.
As well as being close to the Piece Hall, The Meandering Bear is next door to Pearsons Fish & Chip Shop and Restaurant. Handily, the fish and chip restaurant is above the Meandering Bear bar and 40 metres away is the All Pizzetto Italian Takeaway and Street Cafe (they also serve draught beer).
*The Meandering Bear Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 80 metres, 1 minute
**The Meandering Bear Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 380 metres, 5 minutes
Meandering Bear Address: 21-23 Union St, Halifax HX1 1PR
7 The Royal Oak – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
The Royal Oak is a Grade II-listed building constructed in 1931 using the timbers from the historic vessel HMS Newcastle. The Royal Oak in Halifax has 9 rotating real ales on draft and offers a 10% discount to CAMRA members.
*The Royal Oak Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 270 metres, 3 minutes
**The Royal Oak Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 450 metres, 5 minutes
Meandering Bear Address: 21-23 Union St, Halifax HX1 1PR
8 The Three Pigeons Halifax – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
The Three Pigeons was built in 1932 in the Art Deco Style by the local Webster’s Brewery. The Three Pigeons is now owned by the much-acclaimed independent Ossett brewery.
There are usually two guest beers from local and regional microbreweries, as well as Ossett’s own White Rat. The craft beer SALT is available on keg.
An octagonal-shaped communal area forms the sensitively refurbished hub and bar (when there, take a look at the artwork on the ceiling and the original flooring) which leads directly to five characterful rooms.
*The Three Pigeons Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 390 metres, 5 minutes
**Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 430 metres, 5 minutes
The Three Pigeons Address: Three Pigeons, 1 Sun Fold, South Parade, Halifax HX1 2LX
9 The Grayston Unity – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
In October 2023, The Grayston Unity moved from Wesley Court by Halifax Town Hall to bigger premises on Horton Street, nearer to the Piece Hall, Westgate Arcade and Halifax Railway Station.
There is easy access to Horton Street and the Grayston Unity from inside the Westgate Arcade through the Westgate Arcade Car Park passage opposite the La Luna restaurant on the arcade’s KØBENHAVN side.
The Grayston Unity has doubled in size, now covering three floors. Owners Michael and Jess Ainsworth are still laying claim to The Grayston Unity being the “Smallest Music Venue in the UK” thanks to the tiny space on the top floor which has just enough room for a band and a handful of audience members.
The top floor space of the Grayston Unity is in addition to a much larger room on the lower floor that has plenty of space for a stage and a bigger audience, and another room across the ground floor bar area.
Fans of The Grayston Unity’s former home at Wesley Court by Halifax Town Hall will not be disappointed by the new premises of The Grayston Unity at 8 Horton Street, as Jess’s eye for detail has created a familiar charming, quirky feel – there are 1930s theatre seats, the gent’s toilet has original and nostalgic 1960s and 1970s magazine advertisements adorning the walls, chintzy armchairs and a splendid new bar as it instantly feels like The Grayston Unity of old, but even more so.
Typically, The Grayston Unity has a choice of 7 cask ales, 5 craft beers, 2 quality lagers and a cider.
The Grayston Unity has a membership card offer should you wish to take advantage of lower prices.
* The Grayston Unity Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 180 metres, 2 minutes
** The Grayston Unity Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 385 metres, 5 minutes
The Grayston Unity Address: 8 Horton Street, Halifax HX1 1PU
10 Ring o’ Bells – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
A friendly free house with Taylor’s Landlord ale near Halifax Railway Station, Halifax Minster and the Piece Hall’s Eastgate entrance. There’s a Madri-themed beer garden at the front and there is free private parking for customers and guests.
The Ring o’ Bells Halifax serves food and has refurbished accommodation consisting of 4 bedrooms and live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Ring o’ Bells Halifax is near Halifax Minster, Halifax Railway Station and opposite the Car Park of Eureka!, the National Childrens’ Museum
The Ring o’ Bells is the oldest licensed pub in Halifax and is located directly next to Halifax Minster whose Nave and Chancel were completed around 1450 – stone was used from an earlier church on the site dating from 1120. The Ring o’ Bells in Halifax has stood in place for well over 400 years and incorporates a headstone of 1635 in one of its cellar walls.
On the gable end, by Halifax Minster, the Ring o’ Bells pub has an Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack) mural artwork. Don’t forget to look when you go!
*Ring o’ Bells Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 160 metres, 2 minutes
**Ring o’ Bells Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 330 metres, 4 minutes
Ring o’ Bells Address: 3 Upper Kirkgate, Halifax HX1 1QS
Contact the Railway Hotel by phone
11 McCafferty’s Bar & Restaurant Halifax – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
McCafferty’s Bar in Halifax is a very large but cosy authentic Irish bar with food, live music, pool and sports screens (McCafferty’s has 3 other venues in Donegal in Ireland plus many in the southeast of England, Spain and UAE).
McCafferty’s in Halifax – Located at the top of the town by the Bull Green Car Park and another Halifax favourite, the Plummet Line Pub.
*McCafferty’s Bar Halifax Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 490 metres, 6 minutes
**McCafferty’s Bar Halifax Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 680 metres, 8 minutes
McCafferty’s Bar Halifax Address: McCafferty’s Bar & Restaurant, Bull Green, Halifax HX1 2DZ
12 The Old Post Office Halifax – One of the Best Halifax Pubs
The Old Post Office Halifax dating back to 1790 is a free house serving a wide variety of Cask Conditioned Real Ales, and a wide range of lagers and it also has single, double, twin and disabled accommodation.
The Old Post Office Pub & Hotel is close to the Piece Hall (the Eastgate entrance is by the church spire in the photograph)
The Old Post Office is situated near the town centre, the Piece Hall and very close to Halifax Bus Station (150 metres)
*The Old Post Office Halifax Walking Distance from the Piece Hall: 248 metres, 3 minutes
**The Old Post Office Halifax Walking Distance from Halifax Railway Station: 480 metres, 6 minutes
The Old Post Office Halifax Address: The Old Post Office Halifax, 55 Winding Rd, Halifax HX1 1SJ
Contact the Old Post Office Pubs & Hotel Halifax by phone
Best Halifax Pubs Map
Attractions in Halifax to Consider for Your Visit
If you’re looking to extend your adventure, there are several attractions in Halifax and the surrounding Calderdale area that are worth exploring. You can wander through the charming streets of Halifax admiring the many examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture and enjoying the many local amenities and shops
Or consider taking a trip out to the nearby countryside as Calderdale’s dramatic valleys, historical landmarks and cobbled towns and villages are proving to be in very high demand by film and television producers making some of the most popular dramas – Calderdale, the Hollywood of the North.
Shibden Hall – the Home of Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack)
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