The City Rooms Durham in County Durham

We always go to this pub when we are in Durham... Always a good visit... However on this occasion the service was very poor... Myself and two other customers waited ages to get served.. the two staff members did not serve in turn and pretty much ignored the customers at the top end of the bar... a gentleman next to me actually walked out..... poor ecperience ... Saturday 1st Feb... We will return though ..

Nice place but difficult to find as there was no notice on the outside that this was a hotel. We had to call to get in

I like The City, I’ve visited fairly regularly for a few years now and I like the atmosphere and it’s done out nicely and the Prosecco is a good price. It has one big problem though - it keeps closing early. The last few times we’ve tried to go and it’s been closed or we’ve been told it’s last orders at 2200 because ‘there’s no one in’, even when we are sat there with our drinks. The barmaid tried one time to chuck us out early and our lift wasn’t there so we wouldn’t leave till our lift arrived but she still closed as soon as we left. Last night my friend and I tried to go and we walked past the window, saw people inside having a drink. Oh good, we thought. They’re open. We scarcely got in the door and the barmaid said ‘we’re closed! There’s only 5 people in so it’s not worth staying open’ !!! So those 5 customers must have felt properly insulted - they’re not worth staying open for. This was at 2115 on a Thursday night on a bank holiday weekend. I am absolutely incensed at the stupidity of this policy. So the barmaid (who is not the owner btw) is turning away more custom because she can’t be bothered to take the money. If you keep closing early, no wonder you have no customers, people soon get fed up of turning up when you should be open and finding you closed, or enjoying a drink and being told you’re not worth keeping the pub open for. And FYI there were plenty of potential customers about - they were all next door in The Half Moon, they were full! They must love the barmaid at The City. I wonder does the boss know that this is now standard practice at The City? He’s probably wondering why his takings have dropped. Have a look in The Half Moon, they’re in there.

Me and a friend stayed here for a night while visiting Durham. Staff were lovely as soon as we arrived and made us feel very welcome. Our room was lovely, furnished nicely and over looked the street. Staff said as we were residents we got a stamper card, which amounted to free drinks. Absolutely fantastic! We loved it and will definitely visit again ♥️

Great service and a lovely atmosphere!!

Booked a single room for a solo trip to Durham, which was a good price. Arriving to check-in at the bar, the member of staff was friendly and gave me all the information I needed as she showed me to the room. The single room was cosy but comfortable with a nice decor. I appreciated the free toiletries and the sweet bowl which was a nice touch! The pub itself has a great atmosphere, not too noisy, and all the staff are great. Overall an enjoyable stay.

Cosy little pub. Very friendly staff and perfect pints.

Rude bar staff, lied about the martini going off when they said they had none, I pointed to a bottle behind them Bar smelt of bleach Toilet sink full of vomit Staff don't care

Stayed here last week, what a fantastic little hotel and bar, staff were amazing, granted there's no food but your in the middle of durham, plenty of places to eat, couldn't find any faults whatsoever, cleaning comfortable rooms, amazing drink prices, fantastic friendly staff.

Great drinks and atmosphere. Reccomend it 100%!

I looove it here!! The drinks are good prices and the vibe is quite nice. They have really yum cocktails !! Get the mojitos!

My wife and I recently stayed here and genuinely we loved it. I honestly don’t think you can beat either the value or the location. Just fantastic!! The team were so friendly and the room itself was very comfortable and had everything we needed. Plus we loved the sweet bowl, very nice touch. We will 100% be back and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this hotel to friends and family. 5 stars all the way.