The Merchants, Lancaster

...miss out on if visiting the city is the wonderful little pub that has recently changed it's name from The Merchants to Merchants 1668.

Built in 1688 ( hence the name!!) the building was originally used as a wine cellar for Lancaster Castle and is part of the same building as the tourist information office. This tiny little pub is in Market Street just a stone throw away from the railway station in the road to the Castle and Priory. ...
...taken over by new management the Merchant offers an incredible menu of locally produced food - and fits into the Gastropub bracket.

The pub is a well hidden little pub outside the main city shops;walking down the hill from the station you stumble across the little courtyard with tables, umbrellas and heaters - such an old and quaint building it tempts in many a passing local, student or tourist alike.
You can choose to sit ... more

I think that you could eat out for a year in Lancaster and be able to find somewhere new to eat everyday. One place that you must not miss out on if visiting the city is the wonderful little pub that has recently changed it's name from The Merchants to Merchants 1668.

Built in 1688 ( hence the name!!) the building was originally used as a wine cellar for Lancaster Castle and is part of the same building as the tourist information office. This tiny little pub is in Market Street just a stone throw away from the railway station in the road to the Castle and Priory. Set in Castle Hill opposite the main post office in Lancaster it is lovely little pub full of character and old world charm.

Recently taken over by new management the Merchant offers an incredible menu of locally produced food - and fits into the Gastropub bracket.

The pub is a well hidden little pub outside the main city shops;walking down the hill from the station you stumble across the little courtyard with tables, umbrellas and heaters - such an old and quaint building it tempts in many a passing local, student or tourist alike.
You can choose to sit inside or out - in the summer months it is good to sit outside, and 'people watch' as people trickle down the hill from the station and the castle ( you may sit there with your dog if you wish).

Entering the pub is like stepping back in time; inside there are three separate rooms which are set under ground in vaulted tunnels and they are really pleasant and airy despite being set in a cellar with open brickwork.

The staff are plentiful and very, very pleasant.
Before the change of ownership the pub had strayed along the 'cheap food' direction but now it offers well cooked, British food locally sourced with a great menu and also a specials board. The prices are not overally expensive either.

As an example my husband and I had our lunch there today - my husband had the local sausage and herby mash ( three huge sausages from a local farm, of varying flavours and a mound of creamy potato in 'real' gravy! I chose one of the deli platters - this is a cheese of your choice ( I had the blue Garstang made just up the road from us), a huge basket of fresh nutty brown bread, butter and pickle - to this you add any extras you want - I had a side salad ( which was huge and a meal in itself), a dish of hummus and a bowl of olives. The whole thing was glorious and far too much for me - luckily my husband joind in and helped me out!! Along we this we had two large glasses of white wine and finished with two expresso served with mints - the whole lunch, with drinks, cost £20 and was worth every penny!!

When I ordered I was told that there may be a delay as a large table had just ordered - but we had our meal within ten minutes - the service was really good - the waitress was very pleasant and helpful.

The pub offered a wide of drinks including a full selection of wines and cocktails with our own "Merchant Banker Cocktail" and guest ales. I would imagine that it is very busy of an evening as I know that it is popular with the students in town.

The only dark side is that as the building is so old and of it's location, the toilets are up some very narrow steps so would not be suitable for the disabled.

Summary: Do try to visit this lovely little pub.

 

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