Quick info
About Bank Top Brewery Tap
Bank Top Brewery Tap is a bar in Bolton, run as a traditional Lancashire street-corner pub at 68-70 Belmont Rd in Astley Bridge. The brewery owns it, so Bank Top ales fill most of the hand pumps, including Port O Call and the seasonal Santa's Claws. Guest and European craft beers sit alongside them, among them a lambic. The pub keeps to a simple setup with no TV, no gambling machines and no jukebox, just quiet background music. Two rooms share the space: a bar room and a back room with a dart board. Dogs are welcome, and no food is served. Parking nearby is limited.
Good to know
- ParkingFree street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bank top brewery real ales, traditional corner pub feel, heated patio area and back room dart board.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bank top brewery real ales, traditional corner pub feel, heated patio area and back room dart board.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return above all for the Bank Top real ales, with most of the taps pouring beers from the brewery that owns the pub. Named pints include Pavilion Pale, Flat Cap, Port O Call and the seasonal Santa's Claws, and one reviewer counts nine hand pumps with eight from Bank Top. Close behind is the traditional corner-pub feel, described as a two-roomed place with a bar room, a back room with a dart board, and a sheltered, heated patio. Several mention friendly staff and chatty locals, and one bartender is credited with an education in beer. A few point to guest options beyond the house range, including European craft beers and even a lambic. Reviewers also like the quiet: no TV, no noisy gambling machines, no juke box, just a little background music. The only drawbacks raised are small, that there is no food and parking is limited. One reviewer describes a quiet afternoon with a pint of Port O Call as absolute bliss.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return above all for the Bank Top real ales, with most of the taps pouring beers from the brewery that owns the pub. Named pints include Pavilion Pale, Flat Cap, Port O Call and the seasonal Santa's Claws, and one reviewer counts nine hand pumps with eight from Bank Top. Close behind is the traditional corner-pub feel, described as a two-roomed place with a bar room, a back room with a dart board, and a sheltered, heated patio. Several mention friendly staff and chatty locals, and one bartender is credited with an education in beer. A few point to guest options beyond the house range, including European craft beers and even a lambic. Reviewers also like the quiet: no TV, no noisy gambling machines, no juke box, just a little background music. The only drawbacks raised are small, that there is no food and parking is limited. One reviewer describes a quiet afternoon with a pint of Port O Call as absolute bliss.
Featured reviews
- Dave Bradbury
“Excellent selection of real ale from Bank Top brewery. A little quiet background music, no bandit, no juke box. Just a great traditional British pub.”
- Charles Ross
“Fabulous beers. Seriously. No drive through. No rooftop. No flashing lights. No food. Just great people and some of the best beer in Lancashire. And if Caren (with a C) is working, an education from the Oracle of Alcohol!!”
- Darren Slingsby
“Friday 21st November 2025 Today I visited this Astley Bridge real ale pub This pub is a real ale lovers heaven, 9 hand pumps on 8 from Bank Top brewery The beers are all well kept and the 2 roomed pub is a gem The staff/owners tonight were friendly and knew how to pull and look after real ales This pub has a hardened local following with proper drinkers in the norm This pub ia a must to visit by real ale drinkers when in Astley Bridge”
- Ian
“Great selection of tasty real ales and service was provided with a smile. Very quiet when I was there one afternoon, just how I liked it for a quiet, relaxing pint of Bank Top Port O Call. I also indulged in a pint of the seasonal Bank Top Santa's Claws, just couldn't resist under the perfect circumstances. Absolute bliss.”
- Anna Hunter
“This is based in a traditional Lancashire corner street public house. Plenty of character left in the building. Serving their own fantastic arrangement of beers across the bar. Mild, dark, copper, red, golden, amber beers; the best traditional range you can expect anywhere. We seek these beers out whenever available locally at home or visiting family! We were lucky to be in the area when we visited back in April. Will certainly return.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Alcohol
- Cozy
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Seating
- Restroom
- Offerings· 3
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
Location
Bars near Bank Top Brewery Tap
- The Bay Mare4.31550.1 mi£1–30Outdoor seatingWi-Fi
pool table and darts, karaoke and disco nights, cask ale pints
- The Pineapple Inn4.22260.2 mi£10–20Outdoor seating
homemade burgers, philly steak, homemade tomato soup
- The Cheetham Arms4.6370.7 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast sirloin of beef, yorkshire puddings, specials board
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Top Brewery TapWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7180 | — | £10–20 | bank top brewery real ales, traditional corner pub feel, heated patio area |
| The Bay MareOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.3155 | 0.1 mi | £1–30 | pool table and darts, karaoke and disco nights, cask ale pints |
| The Pineapple InnOutdoor seating | 4.2226 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | homemade burgers, philly steak, homemade tomato soup |
| The Cheetham ArmsReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.637 | 0.7 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast sirloin of beef, yorkshire puddings, specials board |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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