The Black Bull
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Quick info
About The Black Bull
The Black Bull is a pub in Chelmsford on Rainsford Rd, and it runs a jazz jam every two months. On certain days it also hosts live music, including sessions with new music from local bands. A separate party room sits away from the main bar, with a dance floor and no room charge, so groups can hold celebrations there. Party food and a buffet can be supplied, the staff decorate the room, and a local DJ is available to hire. Sunday lunch is served as a roast, with beef and a three-meat option. Non-alcoholic beers are available at the bar. Dogs are welcome, including big ones.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Usually plenty of parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jazz jam nights, private party room, sunday roast and dog-friendly pub.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jazz jam nights, private party room, sunday roast and dog-friendly pub.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the private parties and community events, with the free side room, decorations, party food and a local DJ described as making birthdays and a daughter's celebration special. Close behind is the Sunday lunch, where diners praise friendly staff and a warm welcome for their dogs, even a big one. Regular jazz jams, quizzes, book clubs and live music draw musicians and locals, and one reviewer who does not drink notes a good choice of non-alcoholic beers. Others mention a cheese burger described as excellent, the beer garden and a family-friendly feel. The one critical review describes a Sunday lunch where a half hour passed before a waitress came, then staff said orders had to be placed at the bar and had no record of a reservation made the day before. The beef and three-meat roasts arrived with very little meat, which that diner called poor value. Elsewhere, reviewers close on staff who decorated and personalised a party room as a surprise.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the private parties and community events, with the free side room, decorations, party food and a local DJ described as making birthdays and a daughter's celebration special. Close behind is the Sunday lunch, where diners praise friendly staff and a warm welcome for their dogs, even a big one. Regular jazz jams, quizzes, book clubs and live music draw musicians and locals, and one reviewer who does not drink notes a good choice of non-alcoholic beers. Others mention a cheese burger described as excellent, the beer garden and a family-friendly feel. The one critical review describes a Sunday lunch where a half hour passed before a waitress came, then staff said orders had to be placed at the bar and had no record of a reservation made the day before. The beef and three-meat roasts arrived with very little meat, which that diner called poor value. Elsewhere, reviewers close on staff who decorated and personalised a party room as a surprise.
Featured reviews
- Paul Charlesworth
“I visit the Black Bull Pub in Chelmsford every two months to attend the Freddie Freeloader’s Jazz Jam. This is a great venue for the jam and is able to accommodate a lot of musicians. The staff are always very courteous and polite, and they have a good selection of non-alcoholic beers for me to enjoy (as I do not drink). Thank you and keep up the good work!”
- Brian Smith
“Spent the whole day at newly renovated Black Bull for the Chelmsford Mayor's Charity Appeal! Great community lead pub! My cheese burger was excellent and I saw plenty more great plates coming through the busy pub!”
- Mick Foster
“My local, friendly staff, great beer garden and facilities for children. Very embedded in the community they serve, always lots of interesting stuff going on ( music, quizzes, book clubs, sports on big screens but not intrusive if you just want a drink). They make a real effort to be inclusive-eg they have had specific events for the deaf community and for children with special needs. A great space for private parties in the side bar, always nicely decorated with good food options. Rachel and her team work really hard and with a lot of wit and imagination to make celebrations special. As a musician we have found them excellent hosts of our jazz jams which have been gong for over six years in this venue and attract a large and appreciative crowd of musicians and listeners. They also host regular sessions featuring new music from local bands. Apart from all the special events, they provide all the things you want from a pub- a good range of drinks options and good pub food in a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
- Colin Padley
“Had Sunday lunch, we waited half an hour for a waitress, went to the bar and they said you have to order there, I asked why we weren't told that even though we booked and were shown a table, just got a blank look, they gad no record of our reservation, even though I had rang the day before. We had the Sunday roast, I had beef and my friend had three meats, we both got very little meat, even less than you get in a Toby, so very poor value.”
- u r
“fantastic place to hang out. dogs allowed, family friendly, great menu, outdoor seating. they also have live music on certain days which is fab.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Highlights· 6
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Bars near The Black Bull
- The Globe4.24940.3 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
engagement party buffet, live band, burger
- Golden Fleece4.31,8730.8 mi
bottomless brunch, beer garden, 2 for 1 cocktails
- The Flyer4.25421.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
mixed grill, 2 for 1 burgers, sports on tellys
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Black BullReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4450 | — | £10–20 | jazz jam nights, private party room, sunday roast |
| The GlobeReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2494 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | engagement party buffet, live band, burger |
| Golden Fleece | 4.31,873 | 0.8 mi | — | bottomless brunch, beer garden, 2 for 1 cocktails |
| The FlyerReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.2542 | 1.1 mi | £10–20 | mixed grill, 2 for 1 burgers, sports on tellys |
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