A bright pub that sells itself on the large number of real ales it
serves. This gives you the opportunity, for example, to find out that you don't like Orkney Raven
without the travelling otherwise necessary to make such a
discovery... Seriously, though, their selection is superb. Those who haven't been to the city in a
while will probably know the pub as the old Eagle.
We've said in the past that the Tap and Spile felt like a fairly
modern pub trying to look like a much older one. In the couple of years since we made that comment
the pub has bedded down extremely well, and the atmosphere and feel of the place now seems just
right.
One strong selling point for non-smokers are the no smoking areas
at both ends of the pub. Patrick Gladstone is right (see his comments below) that this doesn't give the
same degree of protection as separate rooms. But one of the areas is protected by curtains; and the
other provided an effective smoke free space even on a packed New Year's Eve. The Tap and Spile
should certainly be applauded for their concern for drinkers' lungs.
Users' Views: Graeme Holdsworth writes
"The Tap & Spile now has two no-smoking areas and was recently re-done on the inside.
Although I cannot fail to agree that we are being presented with a designer's idea of what a pub
should look like, I think it has to be an improvement on the wine bar style we were subjected to
until now."
Users' Views: In July 1998, Patrick Gladstone
wrote "Further to the comment about the additional non-smoking area in Spring Bank's Tap
and Spile. May I point out the simple fact that although a smoker may recognise 'the border',
his/her smoke does not. A non-smoking 'area' in any pub is (pardon the pun) not worth a
light."
