Image courtesy of Nadi Lindsay
New to Barnard Castle in 2021, this pub is called CroBar and is renowned for its garden lounge terrace and for bringing night life to the local community.
This pub is a very modern style bar with its indoor space made entirely out of wood, with a very cosy rustic vibe. Its outdoor space features a sheltered wooden terrace with plenty of seating and an enclosed garden terrace with more tables and chairs with parasols. This terrace is up a few steps from the entrance of the bar and the sheltered terrace is right outside the bar.
It’s a well-hidden venue in the heart of Barnard Castle, as it is situated down an alleyway on the opposite side of the street from Greggs and just along from the Stables Café and round the corner from the Golden Lion pub. You walk down this alleyway which takes you down into a hidden gem where there is a great vibe and great drinks.
We recommend you pay this one a visit! It is one of the best and most unique bar venues in the area. It is also one of the newest pubs in Barnard Castle like no others. And there is a lot of reasons why we think it’s worth visiting if you’re in this neck of the woods.
Where the pub is situated is very convenient and ideal for anyone who is out shopping, walking or just chilling in Barnard Castle. Since it is in the heart of the town centre, it is within walking distance from all the car parks, the shops including the Morrisons supermarket, and it’s also among other pubs and cafes in the area. This makes it a great place to tie in with a pub crawl or while you’re having a break from shopping or even after doing a nice walk nearby. It is also walking distance from the castle too, so can be a great way to end a family day out.
Once you have walked down the alley, you immediately walk into their outdoor premises with the entrance to the bar looking out onto it. When sitting out in this enclosed space, you forget that the hustle and bustle of Barnard Castle is on the doorstep. This place offers a sense of privacy and peace and quiet.
The open unsheltered terrace at the top end features stone flooring and some seating around the sides as well as up to three large benches with parasols. You have a nice view of the rest of the premises from up here.
The sheltered terrace down the bottom by the bar entrance also offers a comfortable and delightful space to enjoy a coffee or a cold drink. It is sheltered under a wooden pergola with wooden barriers around it rigged with outdoor lighting. Late at night, the entire place is lit up making it an awesome nightlife atmosphere.
There are palm trees dotted around the area which add to the tropical vibes.
Inside the bar, there is plenty of bench seating plus a few stools in the bar area. It is a very rustic and cosy atmosphere inside with most of the furniture built out of wood. The toilets are at the back of this area and the bar itself is immediately to the right as you step in. The space also features low beams overhead which are adorned with more lighting. Along the edge of the room is a shelf ledge and revolving bar stools where people can also sit and drink. More tropical bamboo plants decorate the inside space.
This pub in Barnard Castle is quite accessible and disability friendly for several reasons. It is a new, modern venue set in an old horse market town and it has considered people with physical disabilities.
It is important to be aware that there are a few small steps to get in and out of the indoor bar area. There is one single step from the bar area to the indoor seating area. And there is one small step to get onto the outdoor sheltered terrace area. The top garden terrace requires climbing up a few steps but there is a handlebar and a wooden railing for people with walking impairments to use to support them climbing up here. Inside the bar area, there is also a wooden railing to hold onto as you step down into the seating area inside, the same is to be said for the sheltered terrace outside as there is a wooden railing all the way around the terrace.
The floor surface outside is paved with flagstones and is nice and flat. Getting to the CroBar requires walking down a sloped alleyway which isn’t too steep and consists of old paved stones which are reasonably flat and even. Parts of the outside space has a graveled surface but only for one or two tables.
The space around the venue is good enough to manoeuvre a wheelchair/pushchair.
The toilets are located at the back of the indoor seating area. Disabled toilets can be found here along with a single toilet for ladies and gents. Each toilet can be used by one person at a time so it’s a little bit more private. There are no urinals for the gents. It is important to note for this reason, that there can be a small queue for toilets when it’s busy.
The bar is small and it’s right next to the entrance. There can sometimes be a queue going out the door when it’s busy. The bar serves a wide range of drinks for people of all tastes and includes non-alcoholic options, so the designated drivers don’t have to feel left out. This is also good for people with medical reasons for not drinking alcohol. As for the alcoholic drinks, the menu is very diverse ranging from different flavored gins to locally sourced craft ales. You can also buy gluten-free beers from the bar. The bar also serves hot drinks from an automatic coffee machine.
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There is always the option to sit outside if it feels too crowded inside. The outside space is open during all open hours and offers a wide choice of seating including picnic tables and smaller tables for two/three people. Most tables have parasols to shelter from the rain or the bright sun. The furniture includes cast iron stools and low wooden chairs with cushioning. At the top terrace, there is seating around the edge which is also fitted with soft cushioning making it comfortable for everyone.
Inside, there is a combination of tables for two and tables for up to 6 people. All the chairs have cushions on, and the tables are relatively small to ensure plenty of walking space in between so it doesn’t feel too cramped. This is important so that people can walk through the seating area to get to the toilets.
The bar area is small and can get quite busy, especially on weekends and on evenings. A low wooden railing divides thee bar area from the seating area. In general, the place has a cosy, rustic vibe and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with soft music playing in the background. It is also peaceful outside, with music playing over outdoor speakers. It never gets too busy or crowded but sometimes the tables can become full during the daytime on weekends and holidays, especially during the summertime. Rest assured, during all seasons there will be a quieter space available.
This pub is in the heart of Barnard Castle. All parking in the town is free, with a maximum stay of up to 4 hours. The nearest parking is right across the road from the entrance the avenue’s alley. When it’s busy during weekends and school holidays, the parking can be full. There is plenty of street parking within walking distance available.
The nearest bus stop is a few minutes’ walk from the venue. You can catch the bus directly from Bishop Auckland and Darlington. You can always hire a taxi to drop you off right on the high street.
This pub in Barnard Castle is also dog friendly and this includes guide and assistance dogs. Preferable kept on a lead in the indoor area.
While this venue doesn't necessarily host any big events or entertainment, there are special offers and happy hours and other deals during special occasions to draw in more customers.
No, this venue does not serve food, but you can buy bar snacks including peanuts and pork scratchings. There are plenty of nearby pubs and cafes that serve food.
Yes it is, and it is clearly marked by a sign on the pavement during opening hours so it's not easy to miss. The alley is relatively flat and wide enough for wheelchairs. It is also slightly downhill when walking down it to get to the venue.
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