The Narrow Boat
36–38 Victoria Street Skipton North Yorkshire BD23 1JE
Real-ale, proper-pub aficionados make a beeline for Skipton's Narrow Boat, a dog-friendly, beer-and-food tavern tucked down a cobbled alley near the canal basin. A zillion beer-mats tacked to walls and beams tell the tale – there are up to eight beers on tap at any one time, plus a serious range of bottled and imported beers, with special emphasis on local and Yorkshire ales, including those from the nearby Ilkley Brewery. The wine list isn't bad either, while food is all good homemade stuff, from pie and peas to salmon-and-crab cakes, and a two-course deal (weekdays, 5.30pm–9pm) on many dishes off the menu makes meals here really reasonable. The Narrow Boat is one of a small chain of indie taverns, all with a similar ethos, so if you like the style, look out for their other bars in the Leeds, York and Harrogate areas.
