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The Holy GrAle — Bars in Durham

The Holy GrAle

BarsDurham, ENG

4.8 out of 5 stars4.8(366 reviews)

Quick info

57 Crossgate, St Margarets Garth, Durham DH1 4PR, United Kingdom

About The Holy GrAle

The Holy GrAle is a walk-in bar in Durham, found at 57 Crossgate. The taps rotate constantly, with cask ales and keg selections that change often, plus a handful of regular taps that each offer several options within a beer style. Cans and bottles from the UK and Europe widen the range, and real cider and other non-beer drinks are also available. The staff pour tasters to help drinkers choose a beer. Dogs are welcome, and treats are stocked behind the bar for them. An open mic night is held at the end of the month, so performers get a stage and the regulars get a live evening. Background music plays the rest of the time.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Walk-in only

Reviews

4.8/5
366 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention rotating keg taps, cask ales, bottled and canned beers and open mic nights.

5★
307
4★
49
3★
7
2★
0
1★
3

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers most often come for the constantly rotating taps, with a wide spread of beer styles in keg, plus cans and bottles from across the UK and Europe. One describes a fruity New England IPA one week and a traditional dark mild the next, and another notes staff will pour a few tasters to help narrow a choice. Real ale, real cider and craft beer all get mentions, and several call the atmosphere friendly, relaxed and cosy, with quirky decor and background music. Close behind is the staff, described as friendly and knowledgeable, remembering what a customer drank before and offering recommendations. Dog owners point to the well-stocked dog treats, and the end-of-the-month open mic nights get praise for building a sense of community, with one reviewer describing a packed Sunday evening of performers. No real complaints surface, though a few playful reviews lament that a particular white-haired bartender never showed up on repeated visits.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “After speaking to my friend Richard Groper, as we call him in my community (consett steelworks) I was tantiilised to see the white haired red man and selection of fine beers. Despite numerous visits I was unable to locate him. He's become a legend along with the likes of the Loch Ness monster and sasquatch. Some say he's traveling the cosmos in his Steely Steed, overs say that he has transitioned and can be found in a comfortable polka dot summer dress. However, a Hollywood look alike with impeccable fashion sense was able to make up for his absence, together with the excellant beers. Regards Ricardo Rockett”
  • Google user
    “I finally got round to seeing this pub, I had wanted to since hearing that a white haired red man worked there. I must confess, in my culture they are very highly regarded as potential partners and i happen to be very found of them myself. However after now four attempts and four journeys to Durham, he still hasn’t showed up. I was going to rate this pub one star, but i wont. I wont because on my fourth time down there i saw a hat headed Steve Buscemi man, he certainly gave me some umbridge, fantastic night, fantastic pub!”
  • Google user
    “Holy GrAle was our favorite beer stop in Durham. With the exception of a handful of regulars, the taps are always changing, and we loved the wide selection of beer styles — usually with several options within each category. The staff were always happy to pour a few tasters to help us find exactly what we were in the mood for, and there are plenty of other drink options too if beer isn’t your thing. Beyond the beer, we really appreciated the Holy GrAle team. Everyone was always so friendly, and they kept the dog treats well stocked. It quickly became not only our favorite beer place, but our dog’s favorite stop as well. We also loved the end-of-the-month open mic nights. It was a pleasure to listen, and we really appreciated the sense of community they created. Many thanks to Andy, Rachel, Stu, and Amanda for the happy memories.”
  • Google user
    “We went on a Sunday evening when the Open Mike night was in full swing (see the video of Grandma June belting it out) and the pub was packed. The beer selection was great and the staff were very friendly. Highly recommend if you like real ale and craft beer.”
  • Google user
    “The Holy Grale is a great tap room with a wide variety of tap, draft, canned and bottled beers on offer. The vibe is chilled and friendly and the background music adds to a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Service from Stu and Amanda was friendly and the decor and seating is quirky and welcoming. A great pub.”

Location

Bars near The Holy GrAle

The Holy GrAle
4.8366
  • 0.2 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating

    halloumi fries, outdoor terrace seating, ordering from the table

  • 1.7 mi

    fish and chips, all you can eat breakfast, garlic bread mix-up

  • 3.8 mi$84Wheelchair accessible

    haggis and chicken, steak and ale pie, beer battered fish and chips

The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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