Sportsman Inn in Carlisle

Great old pub. Been visiting off and on since it was a State Pub back in the 70’s. Gets even better with age! Call in and enjoy.

Clean friendly, and everyone welcoming.

Came to Carlisle for the day and had a great tasting lunch, of home made steak pie with chips and peas. Washed down with a lovely latte. Nice friendly small pub which also welcomes dogs.

Popped on whilst waiting for train. Proper pub. Beer was lovely as was the landlady Mandy. Oldest pub in Carlisle. Didn't have food so can't comment but looks like other comments say it's fantastic. Nice place to be.

Just a good old fashioned boozer

the food was great but the woman who work there has bias, somewhat rude and made unncessary comments and therefore probably has borderline discrimination against certain individual or race.

Quiet small cosy pub, lovely food and staff 😁😁

Went in on quiz night. Told where to sit almost threw drinks at us. bar woman/landlady was very rude. One drink and we left. Felt like we wasn't wanted other people in pub were quite friendly 😕

Topical Englisch pub. Does sunday roasts at sunday lunchtime.

Lovely, very old pub. Steak pie was delicious

Great food, great drink and great place always

Possibly Carlisle's oldest pub, certainly very atmospheric and characterful. Very much worth a visit 👍

This lovely little pub happened tobe next door to our B&B!! How lucky was that! Its beautifully situated in a quiet corner of Carlisle, butcentral to everywhere. They have the BEST music and the ownerr is the BEST - such a lovely, welcoming lady!! thankyou!!

Cracking little hidden pub behind Marks and Spencer in Carlisle. Look at my other reviews to see where I've been!

Another lovely old pub, great welcome and good pub food. The steak pie was excellent!!!

Carlisle's oldest pub I believe and located not far from Marks and Spencer Really like the atmosphere and the music here, ideal as a chill out location where you can put good music on the Jukebox and nobody judges you in here either, super friendly staff as well, also a bit out the way from the hustle and busle of the main streets of Carlisle :) Would thoroughly recommend to people visiting Carlisle as well as the locals.

Excellent pub with good beer and food, as well as a great welcoming atmosphere.

My birthday today and Carole and myself ordered a Shandy and got the wrong drink delivered. The pub woman was rude and made me feel uncomfortable in front of everyone , Saying the bar tender isn't a mind reader. I didnt make the mistake ,all i wanted was a quiet Shandy . It Really upset me and ruined my day amd ended up not finishing my Shandy .I would not be drinking in a pub that has no customer care .horrible service.

Old school pub, hidden away in the centre of Carlisle,

Lovely friendly pub would highly recommend

Food is lunchtimes only so we didn’t eat but it’s a great dog friendly pub.

Nice cosy pub with a lovely roast dinner

Brilliant little pub, haven't been in for years, I will definitely be back 😀

Absolutely love this little pub. Definitely my favourite. Very good pint of Murphy's 🤘🏼

❤️🍺👍😃 a great little pub. Staff very welcoming . Food and drink excellent 👌.

Cosy bar but drinks slighty on high side. Didn't have food

This place is a really lovely place to visit. Tasty home-cooked food, great atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Couldn't ask for more.

Used to visit regularly with ladies during the week and with a friend on a Sunday. The atmosphere hasn't changed and the food is just as great. Recommended

A lovely small pub the oldest in the city

I have been to several of the themed food evenings. I can say that these have been amazing. Food and atmosphere are both amazing.

Great bar very competitive prices great music on traditional juke box very rare nowadays good atmosphere definitely worth a visit.

We were visiting Carlisle city centre on a Saturday as part of long weekend on the Solway Firth. We did not know Carlisle much, but enjoying the range of architecture, some of the small businesses, etc. We were looking for somewhere to eat for lunch and some places were very busy, others not open yet. We came across the Sportsman by chance, wandered in and stayed. It is a proper pub. No pretensions, but good ale/beer (well kept), and a proper menu of very good home-cooked food. Friendly staff. From the people around us it is clear that we were in a comfortable place that people treat as their "local", but as visitors we were also made to feel welcome. The Halloween decorations were impressive... not just stuff bought last week and then thrown away, but a collection that had been built up, thought about over the years, and then hours and hours decorating. I expect Christmas and New Year (and every other occasion) at the Sportsman will reflect the publican, the staff and the regulars. The Beef and Ale pie (with a fluffy scone-like topping) with peas and chips was excellent - and just what we needed. Thank you.

It wasn't the best time to visit when the beer festival was on - the place was dead!

A great little friendly pub well recommended.

Brilliant food,great atmosphere and Mandy is just the absolute best at running a pub 🥰

Handy for the train station while waiting for the inevitably delayed train. It’s early doors but they’re ready to close well before time tonight with Storm Agnes blowing a gale outside.

Don't know where some people get one star from, this pub is a lovely traditional pub, with friendly service and lovely food. The only smell I've ever experienced is the lovely smell of food. It's a top pub, our favourite. Absolutely love it😊😊

We've been to The Sportsman Inn before and were not disappointed this time. Same warm welcome and excellent food. The steak pie and chips is to die for!

Awful stinky, dirty carpets wouldn't stay for food the paintwork and pub need to be upgraded and refreshed. Get rid of jukebox make it more presentable as the oldest pub in Carlisle for visitors could be more inviting, but, must say the smell inside is a put off for me ....sorry NO!!!

Very warm welcome with a lovely landlady and team

Good traditional pub to go for a pint. Would have had a second but for Boney M on jukebox!!

Great little find nice pub friendly staff 👍

What a hidden gem this old tradition pub is. For me and my partner it ticks all the boxes, great staff, good choice of drinks, lovely home cooked food and dog friendly, what more could you want, can't wait to call in again.👍

Lovely atmosphere, not many real pubs like this anymore in Carlisle... proper pub pub 👍🏻

We went for a celebration drink at a lunchtime and it was a great atmosphere although it was quiet the bar person was really nice.

Great pub , Mandy the owner is lovely and a great landlady. Duke box is superb along with ranch of drinks , great atmosphere.

Only had drinks, very good choice to choose from. Lovely calm atmosphere.

Always visit when we're in Carlisle. Really friendly little pub with decent food menu and well kept ales

Nice beer and very friendly staff and dogs are welcome

Nice place and the cask beer was well kept

Nice little pub, but some local filled the Duke box with heavy metal songs which wasn't for ne.

The atmosphere was good shame about the meal

What a gem of a pub. The lady behind the bar was so lovely. She was very welcoming. We shall be going back soon to have a meal.

A lovely local traditional pub in the centre of Carlisle. I've been recommended the food here but we just stopped by for a drink after work 🙂 would recommend it.

I visited this carlisle real ale pub on Saturday 18th December 2021 This pub serves a good range of real ales, and thebpub had a really good local atmosphere inside it on my visit We again visited this great real ale pub on Saturday 20th May 2023 This pub has now got better real ales on and has such I have now upgraded my stars to 5

Very friendly and great choice for such a small pub

I was in Carlisle on holiday when the sportsman pub was mentioned in conversation, I thought I'll have a pint the sportsman, what a cracking little pub !! I was made very welcome, and will call again. If you like history,it's a must!

Sunday carvery was delicious. Choice of 3 meats....or have a bit of each. Yorkshire pudding, roasties, veg etc. Fantastic value for money and finished off with home made trifle ...recommend booking to avoid disappointment.

My wife and I visited with some friends for a quick lunch,we had Cumberland sausage baguette and Brie,ham and cranberry jacket potato,both meals were very nice,great service,thank you see you next time.

Good atmosphere clean good beer and food

Proper locals pub in the city, but off the beaten track a little. 2 or 3 well-kept cask ales on - Wainwright is regular, plus guests from near and far, plus usual range of other drinks. Food available, but haven't tried it (possibly just lunchtime food service). Sometimes closes early evening, if quiet. Pop in to see Mandy the landlady, who is always happy to see you and full of cheer...

I have been a few times over the years. Loverly little pub, great food, home cooked food, great puddings. Amazing staff, Also, kid and dog friendly, unlike many pubs I have visited. It's definitely one of the best 👌

Love the place, my go-to place when I'm in carlisle staff are very friendly and food is great too, fantastic for dog owners as there is a small church yard out the front where you can also enjoy your pint

My family and friends met in the Sportsman after my wife's funeral. Mandy and staff could not do enough for us which was much appreciated by all thank you all so much x

Awesome little historic pub. Friendly staff and also some history posted on the wall. Reasonably priced drinks and good facilities. Plenty of ales and beers to choose from. A great night was had by all

excellent English hime made bar food,a decicated land lady,family friendly

Another classic Carlisle pub friendly landlady and good real ale

We discovered this pub behind the main street of the city centre. A good friendly atmosphere.

Can't wait to go back - so welcoming and friendly. Staff amazing and such great craic. Oh - and the bar lunches - amazing, fresh cooked and none of your microwave nonsense... A traditional pub, a great pleasure to recommend to all. Had a great laugh and it made my long weekend in Carlisle. Thank you lafies!

Popped in for a quick pint, well looked after, crystal clear ale. Happy Days 👍

Lovely pint and landlady was friendly. Shame it was so quiet. We love a traditional old pub and the sportsman was just that. Well be back for food very soon

The best old school , traditional pub in Carlisle. Nice and cosy and very welcoming . Highly recommend The Sportsman for meals and refreshments, you can also take your dog who are as welcome as the humans 😊

Great place to meet the locals. Pricey though.

The Sportsman Inn is a little gem. Staff very friendly and welcoming and the beer and food is amazing. One of the best pubs in Carlisle to spend time with friends family or even your dog

Oldest pub in Carlisle and the best in my opinion

If you are ever visiting Carlisle, the Sportsman is a must,with a great selection of ales,and the dinners are to die for really recommend the steak pie scrumptious, the staff are so friendly and make you feel so welcome, this place is highly recommended

Always welcomed by mandy.great food and a real home from home

First time l been ,was visiting friends ,the new manager is bright and will be brilliant for the pub l found it very organised and well run the food was fabulous and the staff couldn't do enough ,well done all of you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Food was fantastic and staff are lovley

Good range of real ale. The food is excellent.

Great little pub, really enjoyed it, will go again when up North

A little gem, called in today and had Sunday beef roast dinner and lasagne, lovely. Beef gravy was fab! Will be back when in Carlisle again.

Schöner Pub, German Sausage ;-)

Cracking service, good beers, great atmosphere, and a juke box. What more do you need? Mandy is friendly behind the bar and you get a good cracking with the other customers.

Very nice and friendly pub grand service and nice beers and food

Wow .. must tey the steak and ale pie with a dumpling topper . Wow most beautiful steak pie ever and I definetly will be back. My husband was so jealous that he didn't get the same. He really enjoyed his meal tho but was way too much for me as he always finishes what I cant eat. Win win . Lovely little gem... get yourself there u won't be dissapointed

Quaint and friendly pub loved it Mandy was very nice made us feel welcome,

Had two great nights lovely place homely the landlady was warm and lovely will go back when i'am in carlisle

Nice traditional pub in the middle of Carlisle but hidden away.Good food.Didnt have a pudding but they sounded good.Not too far from the Railway Station.

What a fabulous old pub! So much atmosphere and charm. Like going back in time. Sat with a few of the locals who were very friendly.

Brilliant great staff great pint great all-round experience

God for a quite drink or meal lunch time and morning .

Midway meal and drink on the Settle to Carlisle return railway day trip. The Sportsman is a lovely little pub in the heart of carslisle's "things to see and do". Don't be put off by the fact a supermarket is next door; as soon as you walk in this pub, that fact is all forgotten. Food and service was excellent along with a great pint. Our kids and dog were made very welcome.

Made to feel welcome as soon as you enter. For me the great thing is they have a juke box with proper music.

Great beer, friendly staff, dog friendly, nice atmosphere, brilliant sound system playing quality music the way you would like to hear it, everything a good city pub should be

I Always have a good time in here very good quality service and a good selection of drinks on offer especially the recently added madri it's very nice 👌

Great little pub. Oldest in Carlisle. Very friendly atmosphere. Good beer.

Nice little pub staff very pleasant food is very good

Staff rude, glasses dirty. We walked out. A shame for a historic traditional pub which I remembered from 40 years ago!

Great old style pub, very friendly staff & good beer 👍