PUB OF THE MONTH

DECEMBER 2011 - FREEBIRD, NEWCASTLE

Formerly the Duke of York, The Freebird is refurbished, renamed, after a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and re-invented as a real ale and music pub, friendly to bikers. The Landlord, Ian Chapman, known to everyone as Buff (but we won't go into why!), and Bar Managers, Simon and Tanya Beresford, offer a friendly welcome and good beer.

There is a long bar with five hand-pumps and plenty of room to sit in a friendly atmosphere where there is plenty of conversation, and it is the sort of pub where you can join in and meet people. There is another bar in the dedicated Gig Room with four more pumps; the pub is able to support nine different ales since individual lines have been installed and generally at least five brews are available. Lymestone ales are regularly available with guest beers sourced from local and nationwide microbreweries. Real cider is also available, while the bars are well-stocked with wines and spirits, and other beverages.

The second emphasis is on music with a large gig and function room, and bands play there on most Fridays and Saturdays. Upcoming in December are: The Black Widows (Friday 16th), Motley Crew UK (Saturday 17th). For future gigs see the Facebook page; Freebird Freehouse. Tuesdays can be your turn when the Freebird is host to a Freemic' session: bring your guitar, your drum or your harp, or just yourself.

On Sundays at 4.00pm there is a Food Club where people bring bread, cheese or other things, with the pub providing curry, lobby or the like. Voluntary donations can be made which also support charity.


The Freebird can be found at 96 Liverpool Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 2AX; it opens 5.00pm- 11.00pm Monday to Friday, 12noon-12midnight Saturday and 12noon-10.30pm on Sundays. The presentation will follow the Branch Meeting on Thursday 1st December at 10.00pm.

The above review was written by Dr Bob for the current edition of the Potters Bar. Pick up a copy in one of our local pubs now.

For earlier reviews, please visit the Archive Section