Denaby’s New Hotel – The Tavern

The opening of the Tavern will mean a smart but cosy addition to the limited entertainment facilities in Denaby. Attractive enough to travel to for a drink, but not so ‘posh’that people will be dubious about adopting it as a local, the cabin will be welcomed as an inspiring oasis in the desert of Denaby drabness. The decor is tasteful to say the least, and the beer . . . Well, it’s Stones, and one only has to look at such places as the Ferryboat Inn in Mexborough and the Bowman Conisbrough to see that they head the local popularity polls for good beer and décor.

Actually, the layout of the have been is the same as that of the recently opened Bowman, with its “olde shoppe” inspired bay windows, clean looking outside walls and welcoming atmosphere achieved not only by the friendliness of the licensee but by the underfloor heating, which exudes a cosy unclammy, heat – and doesn’t leave dirty marks on the wallpaper.

It comprises two rooms, the lounge and public bar, neither of which brings back recollections of the spittoon and sawdust tight which still haunt one in so many South Yorkshire ‘pubs’– not necessarily the old ones.

Warmth

In the lounge the cheerful red carpeting helps to complete the warmth of atmosphere, and the style of the room is slightly contemporary. Teak and Rosewood make up most of the wall decor, and in front of the bar is a terrazo apron. The bar itself is panelled in copper and the light fittings of copper pick up the light from the panelling.

Comfortable chairs are covered in mustard coloured nylon, which with the curtains of caliban satin in yellow, white, red and black, and the red carpet provide a pleasing colour scheme.

Comfortable

The public bar has by no means been forgotten in the effort to make the lounge one of the most comfortable of rooms in the area.

The other covering on the floor hides the underfloor heating, which adequately heats the room and keeps it at a comfortable temperature for a reasonable amount of time even with the door open. This specially designed darts alley in the public bar is sure to please those who like a pint and a game at lunchtime or in the evening.

The new licensee of the Tavern will be no stranger to the older people in Denaby, for he once managed a club in Denaby, and his wife is a former Denaby woman.

Mr. Michael Ward is the licensee. He is leaving and hotel in Hackenthorpe, and was the steward of Darnall horticultural club. Certainly he is no stranger to the area. Mr. Wood is doubly lucky, not only in becoming licensee of this new public house, but in the living quarters, which comprise a three bedroomed flatlet over the Tavern. The luxurious kitchen should complete his wife’s happiness, at least.

The public bar is panelled in brown oak and teak, and the basically yellow curtains go well with the green of the seats, green striped wallpaper helps to complete the decorations, while the light shades of glass and timber, providing an interesting diversion.

In both the lounge and publish bar the actual size of the bars will be a relief to those who have to work behind them. The stainless steel sinks are situated at the side of the bar, leaving lots of room for serving customers promptly.

Cool

Another welcome feature is that the bar has refrigerated shelves and the electric hoist in the bar area makes the bringing up of crates and the taking down of empties far easier. Stones beer is served from meter pumps, which are attached to a barrel- thus ensuring that you get exactly a pint or a half pint of draught beer.

In the lounge, lighting is concealed under pelmets to provide added subtle lighting without additional glare.

Outside too the hotel is floodlit by means of concealed lights under the eaves, which show the ‘pub’ to its best advantage.

Piped background music, which will provide a diversion in a lull in conversation, but will not monopolise conversation is one of the assets of the tavern, and those who prefer to enjoy a drink and a pleasant evening out without the internal throb of drums and inane singing will be delighted to know that there will be no concerts.

The Tavern has an appropriate illuminated post sign outside, and, drivers will be pleased to hear, a large car park. . . So if you walk or drive to the Tavern, you know you’ll be more than welcome!

The architects of this fine addition to the Stones’ collection are David B. Jenkinson and son, of Rotherham.