The Blue Bell in Wakefield

Called "off the cuff"as it was raining & at least 5 tables undercover were free plus a large table with the umbrella down vacated. Greeted at the door by a young female asking if we had a booking.On answering no just told quite abruptly were fully booked !!! Did not attempt to ask more senior staff to clarify if we could have had a drink. Not very impressedTo quote Freddie Mercury..is this the world we have created !!!

*Having to do a review on here as ignored email and also deleted friends review on Facebook*Came for “bottomless” brunch on Saturday with high hopes however was extremely let down. Paid £5 for the upgrade, the cocktails didn’t taste like they had an ounce of alcohol in, the English garden one was pure apple juice. So we then had procescco instead, but was left with empty glasses for 20 minutes minimum at a time. We didn’t once get asked for a top up, it was always us having to ask and it wasn’t a warm reception either. The staff were so rude towards us, rolling eyes at us and blatantly ignoring us. We then went inside to the toilet to hear them saying “yeah every time they ask for a drink I just say yeah one minute and never go back” which was obvious that was he was doing but the fact he knew he was doing it and doing it on purpose is just not on. I can’t even say it’s because you were busy and they were rushed off their feet because they weren’t. When you come to a bottomless brunch, you expect it to be bottomless and not be without a drink for 20 minutes at a time. We paid £150 and definitely did not receive our money’s worth. I have been for food a couple of times and some of the staff are great but have definitely found the same people who are always there to be extremely rude and unpleasant. I have worked in a restaurant myself and wouldn’t dream of treating customers like that, I can appreciate it is a difficult time but if you can’t cope with the brunches then simply don’t do them. I know that it wasn’t just ourselves feeling like this, there was a couple sag behind us who ended up leaving because they couldn’t get served. There was also a table of girls doing the brunch who said they’d had the same reception. It wasn’t only the brunch that was bad, we stayed for drinks afterwards and still couldn’t get a drink then, it was like they would rather us leave then serve us.

Went in for food and drinks. We were sat for 25 minutes and noone served us, despite us asking. Others were seated after us but were bring served. Staff were rude and abrupt.

Had a couple of pizzas fabulous base but the toppings sounded good but where a bit tasteless but the cost of the meal ment I had no complaints very cheap so couldn’t complain over all

Would highly recommend this place. Food was absolutely delicious ordered a love meat calzone and a big thumbs up to the chef. Plus ordered 2 steaks which were cooked to perfection. If in the area check it out. May sound expensive but you pay for the quality of the food and service.

We went to the Blue Bell inn in Pontefract one week before the Eat out to help out scheme started.The staff were great and I ordered the Burger as pictured below in chibatta bread and it was lovely and fresh nice salad all the trimmings we were so happy with the food that we decided to go on the Wednesday night the following week on the Eat out to help out night and I ordered the exact same thing from the menu as I had ordered the previous week and it was the same price as the previous week. After waiting a very long time I saw the waitress coming out with what looked like a child’s meal and she put it down in front of me and I was so shocked to discover that this was the same meal apparently as I had had the previous week if you look at both the pictures you will see there’s an obvious difference in the quality of the meal. The Blue Bell has obviously decided to downgrade the food to cheaper ingredients on the eat out to help out nights which is an utter cheek as the 50% discount they give is being funded by the government. The desert was also dreadful and I will not be helping the Blue Bell out again on any other night.

Wow! What super food, drinks and service. The staff are so helpful and friendly, cant do enough for you. The food is excellent and so are the drinks. There is such a welcoming atmosphere is the spotless clean place. I cannot recommend highly enough. I visit often and I have never been disappointed with anything and that's why I visit so often. The menu selection is excellent and so are the range of drinks. The staff and so lovely and helpful, nothing is too much trouble for them. Take time to visit and you will have a lovely experience just like I do every time I go!

I've been to The Blue Bell in Pontefract several times and the food is constantly excellent. It has a friendly relaxed atmosphere and is immaculately kept. On every visit I found the staff to be very friendly and professional. I will definitely be returning again.

Absolutely lovely first time eating there. Staff were excellent.I phoned Monday to book a table for the following day. Within minutes of arrival we were seated with drinks. We waited about 20 to 30 minutes and we had are food. Food was lovely.Will be visiting again.

We booked our lunch a week in advance to ensure we would get a table and we had a fantastic time. The staff were very polite on arrival and throughout our time there. The food was amazing - we were surprised by how big the portion sizes were for the tapas menu. There was a little bit of a mix up with the dishes but they said that we could keep them and they quickly rectified this with the correct dishes. Would definitely recommend and we look forward to visiting again to try other items on the menu!

Visited the The Blue Bell at short notice as we was let down by a local restaurant due to a double booking.Accommodated us no problem and was made to feel welcome.Choice of food was great and came in a timely fashion.Can’t really fault anything or bring up no negative points. Even stayed for a few extra drinks afterwards to top the afternoon off, Bravo to all staff.

Visited here whilst the new government scheme has been there to use and what a visit it was. The food for both my partner and myself was the best I’ve had in a long time and the staff were so pleasant and friendly. It’s a shame some customers can’t be the same to the staff. Well Done team and keep the good work up ⭐️

Came to have a lovely evening with friends and to enjoy the eat out to help out scheme (of course) really looking forward to the pizzas we had tried before. But disappointingly we were sat 1hr 30mins later waiting for food with still no proper estimated time for food to be made and we were made more like we were the issue. We booked but they didn't realise we were coming for food luckily we had proof, also they were letting walk ins in too and allowing them to order food yet we couldn't add one of our friends on because they were full how does that figure!!!To also over hear management say they couldn't wait until the 1st September well don't opt into the scheme if you don't expect people to come and use it!!Luckily McDonald's came to rescue and we finished our night there!!!Will not return!

Very disappointed, first visit in a while and after the the easing of the government guidelines. In the past we’ve eaten here and enjoyed what we’ve had as a whole family but Today’s visit was different. I booked a table only giving my surname expecting on entry to be asked to provide more info including contact details but wasn’t. We were told that we could chose our own table which clearly hadn’t been cleaned previously or any extra cleaning undertaken given the current situation in the world. The rest looked the same. Whilst sat we witnessed another table leave and no effort to sanitise or clean in preparation for the next customer. A major concern in today’s world The staff seemed oblivious to the social distancing guidelines and moved from serving behind the bar to then serving food without face shields which you’d expect when serving food at the moment. No effort taken to protect cutlery before handing to the next customer. Again I witnessed staff handling plates which just sat on the side exposed to contamination before been plated up and served. On ordering a round I was presented with a glass which still had lipstick visible from previous use although supposedly clean. You would think something like this in today’s climate would be checked and checked again. The food was mediocre, the meat was processed rather than fresh and on both meals there were sIgns of areas that were burnt. This was our first time in any pub since reopening and eating out. We are encouraged to help local businesses where possible but it seems this business can’t help its self. Will definitely have to think twice before considering returning even just for a drink. In comparison, we left and chose to have a drink in another local pub. On entry the first think we were asked was to complete a form with our contact information. During our visit we witnessed the bar staff clean and sanitise tables and chairs as customers left, leaving them ready for the next customer. We are all in this together and everyone needs to think a little bit more if we are to return to some kind of normality. Bluebell you failed massively.

Ate here as part of the new government discount scheme. When we arrived they had no knowledge I had booked a table despite me proving it on my phone. Took around 15 mins for a drink order to be taken but then another 30 mins or so before staff came to say the bar was out of one of the spirits we had ordered. The waitress seemed annoyed by our presence, just bored and a bit rude when taking orders. Food was mainly good except a burger that was cold and pink in the centre. It's a shame because the place is lovely and the other food was really good but the manager and one waitress just seemed fed up and put out that anyone was even in the building. Poor service

I Dropped in here for a meal the other day and took over 20 minutes to place the order! I’ve been there when it’s not busy and the service is touch and go however on this occasion was a nightmare. Some of the staff come across rude and how they are working within the hospitality industry surprises me.Only good point is the food but I won’t be coming here again.

Booked in advance for food with my partner and was looking forward to food here for the 1st time. Upon arrival we was asked if we booked a table by a waiter and I said 'yes but we'd like to have a drink at the bar as we're early'. We walked to the bar to be ignored by the guy who greeted us as he thought not serving was more important than attending to us, so we waited for 5 minutes bare in mind there was plenty of staff and it wasn't busy at all, to then eventually be served by someone else and told that the table was ready whenever we felt like going through. After having 5 at the bar we arrived at the table with no menus, so the table wasn't ready. I had to go back to the bar to find some and then ask about how we went about ordering and was told a waiter would come take our order. We waited for 15 minutes and eventually the waiter came and asked me if I was ready to order but walked off instead of taking our order this was the same guy upon arrival. We then waited another 15 minutes for him to come back. He didnt. We eventually lost our patience and decided to leave. On our way out I walked to the bar to pay for my tab of drinks and was told by the same waiter he was just about to come take my order. Obviously not as he was doing something else rather than prioritising customers. Overall experience, poor management and poor staff.

If I could put zero stars I would. After a 20minute wait to be seated, we waited for somebody to come to the table nobody did. 40 minutes later we went up to the bar, to be told by the angry looking manager woman that she was coming to serve us. She mentioned nothing to us about a wait for food or apologised for the wait we had already had. We ordered our food and drinks. 50 minutes later only half of our party was served, the other half still hadn't received food. We could see it sat on the hot table, waiting, but nobody brought it over 20 minutes later they finally brought it over, while the other half of the party had now finished. Bearing in mind we were sat at a table with lots of empty glasses which nobody had bothered to collect. The food was mediocre. Nothing special. I wouldn't rush back. When paying for the bill we asked the manager if there was anything that could be done about the bill as the service and wait for food was very long and slow. She then proceeded to lie to our face in an aggressive manner saying she had told us that there was a wait for food. She hadn't.It could be a lovely pub with nice food. But the staff ruin it. Rude lady manager, rude staff who can't be bothered and sat on their phones instead of working.I won't be going back and wouldn't recommend to anyone else.

Due to the many reviews already about the staff here, It’s confirmed the way I’m feeling. Iv been here many times as the food and cocktails are lovely but the staff behind the bar are awful. Every single time iv been in, the women behind there never smile, they’re very blunt, they look like they don’t want to be there, and everyone iv spoke to says they same. It makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. The same woman has blonde hair and never smiles and today she was slagging off the people behind me because they couldn’t hear her shouting ‘next please’. Iv always thought the same about the staff who work here, as ever since it opened they’ve been very unfriendly. My friend accidentally broke a glass on the bar, and the owner angrily grabbed it and threw it in the bin without saying a word and didn’t replace it until we asked another bar member to replace it. They really are the most unfriendly bar staff iv ever come across! If the place wasn’t so nice and the food and drinks weren’t so good we definitely would never return here due to the staff. However- two boys who work there called Harry and Harry, are absolutely lovely and couldn’t do enough for you!! They are the lovliest lads ever and definitely stand out!!!! They deserve so much recognition!!!

Fabulous place, clean and safe, lovely, friendly staff who we witnessed suffer at the hands of idiots, spitting at the girls, they handled this in an amazing manner, they need to be praised and recognised for their commitment to your pub. Great good, lovely cocktails well done all.

Returning after lockdown, didn’t disappoint from arrival to leaving, relaxed atmosphere and great food the Cajun chicken pizza is to die for, cocktails are delicious and presentation is 100%.The pub itself is spotless, please pass onto your team for a very comfortable and amazing experience. Will be back again very soon.

This was my first venture out into the pub environment since lockdown 2020. I must say the pub is doing an exceptional job to promote social distancing and hygiene standards. Everywhere was spotless and the staff are very efficient. Anyway... onto the good stuff... the food.... me and my friend had pizza and two sides between us which was freshly cooked and came piping hot and well presented. They offer a 2 for 1 on cocktails up to 7.30pm every evening which we were looking forward to but due to a let down of a delivery they only had one type available. It didn’t matter because the one available for lush and to be fair deliveries aren’t always reliable in such times. The staff were more than apologetic. Would highly recommend for both food, service and atmosphere. X

After hearing Bluebell was open again during the virus pandemic, me and my family were very excited to try. Not only was our food cremated and inedible, we also had to watch the vile kitchen chef swear, slam pizza boxes and food tubs on the counter, all while pushing and shoving his female colleague around the kitchen. He also forgot part of our order and when asked about this they simply gave us an extra bill to pay, not even a sorry. I will definitely not be returning or recommending to others.

Usually have great food and decent service here, but tonight left me feeling very different. After dining with a group of friends and family, my family and friends were told I’d had to much to drink and wouldn’t be served anymore. While I completely respect their decision, the way they handled the situation was horrendous. Instead of taking me to the side and explaining why, the bar staff thought it would be a good idea to announce this to our group and also all of the tables around. Rather than offer me a coffee or a soft drink I was made to feel like a nuisance. All of our party agreed that their decision was unjust but didn’t complain as there wasn’t much point. We’ve all decided there are much better places to dine where the staff have better manors.

Excellent, not sure about these 3 reviews below all I can say it was amazing the food, service, staff, atmosphere it all works, Cajun chicken pizza is just WOW! The cocktails are amazing great value, I highly recommend to anyone well worth a visit.... 5*

I visited this pub with a few friends yesterday afternoon. What a disappointment. The staff were horribly rude and most certainly should not be front of house greeting and serving customers. The female bar staff (old and blonde) acted like taking my drinks order was the most irritating experience of her life. Then we discovered there is a strange rule about headwear! My friend had just joined us at our table and the same delightful staff member marched over to tell him to take his hat off. He was still stood up in his coat so he said he would in a moment. Less than a minute later another staff member male this time marched over and demanded he remove his hat. The attitude of these people was very aggressive and completely uncalled for. My friend had agreed to remove his hat but we were all unsure if the urgency of the request. I asked the staff member of this policy applied to customers who may be suffering from cancer or who wire headwear for religious reasons. He was aggressive and unfriendly and couldn’t explain why such a rule was in place. We were then asked to leave which was frankly a relief so we could go and relax somewhere else away from such vile grunting staff and ridiculous rules

Rude staff! Can't wear a hat or work wear. Landlord aggressive and confrontational. We're all professional people and have been treated horrendously. Didn't take issue with my friend with wearing a flat cap when taking my money. When I asked for the licence agreement which I was told contained conditions that provided for people to not wear hats I was referred to a poster on the wall, which I read and made no reference to not being allowed to wear a hat. Was told when subsequently challenged that it was the policy of the owner. I think the owner needs to seriously think about his policies and concentrate on violence and drug usage in pontefract rather than what people wear on their head. Not a good pub and I've never been anywhere as obnoxious in my life.

It's a lovely place, the food is very good and the beer is well kept, and the female bar tender is very polite and friendly. I’d pre-booked for 12 friends for lunch on Saturday 8 February. Arrived to find table only set for 10, therefore we added a smaller table, this resulted in us taking up quite a large space in what was rather a small room. I politely asked the male at bar (older of the 2) for menus and was snapped at with "Can't you see I'm busy". The younger male was heard to say to a couple at a table near us "are you alright in here with this lot". He was also asked to turn the heater off as it was blowing hot over our table; he huffed and stormed off to get the remote muttering something under his breath! His table service left a lot to be desired, he was surly and dismissive. Having worked in the leisure industry for many years I was quite annoyed that such a lovely place was under the care of these 2 bad tempered, ill-mannered people and am very surprised at the previous reviews, I can only assume that the 2 miseries weren’t working on the days reviewed!

Returned again Saturday, loved the new menu the pizzas are fantastic, service from the staff is 2nd to none. Keep up the good work, manager taking time to chat with regulars. The afternoon looked amazing lots of people talking about it. Cannot recommend enough. Well done....

The Food here is superb, always really good. The only downside sometimes is that they don’t have enough staff. The staff they do have however are fantastic.

What an amazing place to eat, drink and relax. Such lovely and friendly staff who can't do enough for you and super efficient too! The food is superb and great range of drinks. This place is very clean with lovely decor. Service is excellent and I would highly recommend a visit, I have been several times and always been 100% happy with everything!

Had some nice food here today sizzling chicken platter was very sweet tho for me the fish pie tasted nice but was lacking veg a poor looking meal but tasted nice , dirty burger was fabulous as was the scampi too the service was outstanding and meals were good value for money a pub restaurant at the top of its game

I don’t think I’ve been to the Blue Bell since I left sixth form. What a transformation! Friendly staff, great atmosphere & delicious food. We had the specials: chilli & lamb curry 😋 We’ll definitely be back 💖

What can I say, the food was amazing, service was fantastic it couldn’t be faulted, we had the chicken burger and the Halloumi burger both served on home-made flat bread, still warm and very fresh, onion rings and fries.

Lovely pub nice drink but it’s a pity the female staff was so miserable never smiled and was quite rude . It’s a shame because we won’t be calling again

Absolutely fantastic staff . Food gorgeous. Beer brilliant. Compliments aren't enough. A long time since Pontefract had anywhere as nice to eat and drink well done to you all. Defo coming bk.

Have been in before for drinks but decided to have food this time. Was a bit confusing with the menus there were lots of different ones for different days of the week and it didn't say tapas deal 3 for £10.99 was every day. But it was for every day and we had 6 dishes which were all fab. Although the belly pork skewers which I wanted my belly pork brown to render some of the fat. The prawn dishes were fab and the tuna noise. Ibfact it was a very enjoyable mini feast. Would defenitely have another tapas meal. Saw quite a few pizzas come out which looked really good too so food wise great. Bar wait for serving was a bit bad but the wonderful air conditioning meant that it was a great place to spend the hottest day of the year.

This is a very pub for good food and decent prices. The Sunday lunch is quite amazing - one of the best we have ever had. The evening meals are great but you need to bool ahead as they get very booked up. The also now have a PIzza section upstairs , and the those Pizzas are very good too.

First visit for tapas. Good food, great choice of different tapas. Reasonably priced. Really enjoyed the meatballs. Also serve cocktails. Choice if about 10 different ones. Priced between 7-9 pounds. Three tapas for £10.99. Decor lovely n clean. Really busy. Had to wait bout 20mins for food (enough time to knock back a cocktail or two) Will be returning. Defo recommend.

My first visit was last night, with my daughter. Great pub, really friendly & welcoming, and nice decor too. We had the tapas deal - loads of lovely food and a glass of wine. We had several cocktails, which were so good we kept on drinking them after the 2-4-1 deal finished. Would definitely recommend and will definitely go back. Thanks for a fab night

Been here a few times. Nice pub and atmosphere plus nice drink. But we were thrown out by the owner who said he didnt need our business so we should just f##k off. His girlfriend was extremely rude to my wife when she started vaping in my wifes face. My wife kindly asked her not to vape in her face, and she responded with a cart load of swearing and abuse. We have never been treated with such intimidation and arrogence in all of our life. Plus the bouncers just stood and watched helplessly. We will not be returning!!

Fed up with chain restaurants, great find when I spotted The Blur Bell. Offers on every day and we went on Tuesday, I got 3 tapas dishes and a glass of wine for only £12.99. Hubbys pizza was lovely too. Would definitely recommend and will be back soon.

Great to see another higher quality pub open. Food is great and they do offers too. Worthy of a visit.

Called in for lunch was extremely impressed with food we ordered tapas food arrived amazing tasted delicious nice to see an open kitchen staff excellent customer service Gina bar /waiting on staff went above and beyond

Busted with my 3 year old and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The food was delicious (kids pizza and adult burger) and the place was clean. Will be returning to sample the other menu choices.