The Old Unicorn Bramley review: What I made of my visit to a no-frills Wetherspoon pub in West Leeds
Our reviewer visited The Old Unicorn in Bramley - and here’s what they made of it
In the midst of a bleak January, with the wind and the rain battering my window and my soul, I really fancied a pint.
I am incredibly fortunate to live in a pocket of Leeds bursting at the seams with great boozers, offering various types of watering hole experiences.
But sometimes, a no-frills Wetherspoon pub is just what you fancy. When your wallet is feeling light and the fizz of the pint more important than flair or flash, that capital W calls to you like the bat signal.
So, on a bitterly cold Wednesday night, I trudged up a hill and towards the warmth of The Old Unicorn, a sprawling stone-built pub overlooking Bramley’s centre. It has been a Wetherspoon since 2014, proving popular among locals in search of a cheap pint and hearty pub grub.
Distinguishing between different Wetherspoon pubs is tough and many follow the same blueprint, but I would argue The Old Unicorn is quite easy on the eye inside.
The huge log burner creates cosiness and the tables are not essentially on top of each other as I have found them to be in some establishments.
Aside from that, there is little that will surprise you about The Old Unicorn. The app is handy, the beers are cheap and there is always a decent enough atmosphere even in the absence of music.
I was drinking Italian lager Angelo Poretti, which was among the pricier options at £3.99, but still incredibly reasonable. The Old Unicorn is one of the few places where the £2 (or in this case, £1.99 or £1.96) pint is still alive. If you are a fan of Bud Light or Worthington’s Creamflow, you are in for a treat.
Other draught pints available including Guinness (£3.70), Stella Artois (£3.90) and Corona (£3.79). There is also an admirably wide range of craft and real ale options if you consider yourself a connoisseur.
Service at the bar and via the app was quick and efficient, with staff doing well to keep on top of a steady flow of customers.
The Old Unicorn very much does what it says on the tin. Its very nature as a Wetherspoon pub means it is not the most charismatic or charming, but it serves up affordable drinks in a comfortable enough setting. Sometimes, that is all you need.
Factfile
Address: 165 Town St, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3NA
Telephone: 0113 255 5001
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 8am-12pm, Friday and Saturday: 8am-1am
Scores
Drinks: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Total: 7.25/10