The Golden Lion in Calderdale

What a place! Awesome atmosphere, genuinely friendly staff, the best DG's, club nights, reasonably priced drinks and delicious Thai food. Anything goes, and everyone welcome. The Golden Lion in Todmorden is a breath of fresh air, and it's easy to see why people travel from far and wide to bathe in the craziness. Can't wait to get back.

Love the Golden Lion! Great pub serving excellent Thai food, plus it's a fantastic venue with live music and DJ's on regularly. I had some great nights out here as well as enjoyable afternoons with a nice cold beer. Right on the canal, it's a great spot to visit if you're in Todmorden. Highly recommended 👌

Quality of food is good, as are the prices plus they had live music last night, which was really enjoyable.

Extensive music pub serving good choice of real ales. Live music most nights.

Barman pulled me an off pint. It stank like festering yeast. I finished my pool game and took it back. Barman pulled some for himself and said there was nothing wrong with it. He must be accustomed to this scent, most of their beer probably tastes this way due to poor cellar management. Why else would the staff think retch-worthy beer has "nothing wrong with it" It was a quiet day and I had taken only one tiny sip. It should have been replaced. Even if the barman himself enjoys the cheesy scent of fungal/bacterial growth. The beer was 'eagle strike' by the way. The barman who disserviced me was a tall guy with black hair. Management: Give him some lessons in hospitality. And more importantly stop serving nauseating product which tastes like it was brewed from canal water.

Nice food. A unique atmosphere. Worth a visit!

Vibe 10/10. Delicious food, the friendliest staff, and fire playlist. Looking forward to going back soon!

Popped in here midweek, always wanted to visit here. They had a great selection of lagers, ales and drinks. I went for some Thai food, fishcakes, and Massaman curry which were delicious washed down with a Blue Moon wheat beer. Great value too, so I had some money left to buy some vinyl (they have their own record label too). Great service for the young lad working there too!! I need to go back when they have a DJ playing (Darren Emerson was on the coming Friday night)

A fabulous place, lovely staff (ta Louie),great beers and musical heritage seeping through the walls 👍

DJ was great but one Thai staff serving absolutely outstandingly poor level of service. Was told off for ordering food from drinks part of bar and drinks from food part of bar, how am I supposed to know? It's like a scene out of Fawlty Towers. Next, if they have an offer of 4 starters for £11.95, how on earth does it come to £20??? Even 4 starters on that menu at £4.95 each would be £19.80? Why are they rounding up for you? Why are they not applying their own offer on their own menu? Plain wrong! They managed to wind my wife up who speaks Thai. In the end was told there are 3 kitchen managers and one of them is not liked so best to complain on here. So here it is. Sort your haughty kitchen staff out. Little one with yellow T-shirt. DJ was great btw.

Best pub in the Calder Valley. Nice beer, great value Thai food, amazing nights. A massive community asset. On the night we went there was an open mike with some seriously talented people. Absolute treasure

Great place to be as a visitor of Todmorden. The Thai kitchen is really good! I had a Pad thai quickly made but hi standaards. Like everywhere in England, everybody is friendly, warm and intreseted in people. The pup has lots of corners where you can find your privacy. Some evenings there is great live music with lovely local and not bands. Go there!

Casta spotted this bar just across the canal. A good real ale bar that also does Thai food. Five of six handpumps in use..the sixth being pulled through. Had a lovely Ilkley Pale Ale. The inside is a bit too empty barn like for me..I guess for live music nights. The outside and inside vibe clash. Like the side beer garden. Had 3 excellent spicey Thai starters at a very good price.

Just a great pub...quirky and friendly,,,stayed in Todmorden 7 days favourite pub,didn't eat but food looked good.... relaxed atmosphere .. jazz fusion one afternoon and a scratch jam upstairs at the same time ...you won't be disappointed if you like a bit different

Fantastic pub. Came for the electronic open mike first Tuesday of the month. Great Thai food a great beer!

Amazing open, loving and welcoming community place

Fantastic selection of beers and a really good vibe.

Good vibes, good beer choice, great food (get the 29! ) , support for local arts, always something interesting on, fairly priced what else is there to say.

What a dive!!! Was told off for ordering food at the wrong end of the bar by the 'waitress' to start with. Bar and food are 2 separate entities, pay for both separately and for food prior to being served? Mixed starter was ok at best. Mains came but partners was wrong, I was halfway through mine before hers came back out. Main was ok, my partners was too salty, we didn't send it back because of the servers appalling attitude. Decor is out of the 70's, plastic chairs, no table covering, and flies all over the window, and at no time were we asked if everything was ok?? A reviewer commented about the setting next to the canal, my opinion being that it would be better off in it!!! Atrocious.

Love getting delicious Thai food here after a dog walk. Great place.

The Buddhakkan Headset and Daddy1Love representing Lancaster reggae scene drove out last night to Todmorden to show respect to UK Ponics sound at the Golden Lion. What a beautiful, beautiful place, a little piece of love nestled in the hills. The food was the best Thai dish you could possibly imagine, vegan jungle curry with stunning coconut rice. Every vegetable was carefully cut and prepared, the tofu held all the flavours of the uplifting and soul satisfying sauce with the delicate sweetness of the perfectly cooked coconut rice bringing balanced harmony to the whole dish. The reggae vibrations from the musical stations were strong and mighty, earthstrong. All brothers and sisters of all ages did leap and dance and laugh and shake to the big, big, tunes, many a rewind call from the dancefloor, respect Ras Petey and crew. Bless up all the lovely people there and gratitude and love to all the first class hard working staff and chef. "A little piece of Zion." The Buddhakkan Headset.

Called in over the weekend. We drank outside as it was a lovely day. Drinks were reasonably priced and bar service was good. It was busy, but there were plenty of places to sit. Will call again in the future.

Relaxed pub with frequent live music and tasty Thai food (including a few vegan options). Cosy outside area. Dog-friendly (inside and out). Supports the local community.

Great food and lovely staff team. It was early on a quiet mid week night, but still a nice atmosphere.

Great ambience. Good music. Friendly bar staff. Great ales and delicious fresh cooked Thai food. What's not to like? Would recommend.

This place proper hit me for 6, such a bizzare set up- Thai food, English pub and a gig venue? All shouldn’t work but it does! Prices reasonable, food was DECENT and the smell of incense candles? Who doesn’t love that.. not the place to go for a regular basic joe it’s quirky and the clientele prove that!

Lovely food and great choice of beer

Excellent food, friendly staff, popular open mic nights and regular events and gigs which are well advertised. Good drinks selection. Pool room and a decent sized beer garden.. one of the best pubs in the area!

We came for food and drinks after a walk. They have a great food menu (excellent vegetarian and vegan options) and a great drinks selection.

Food was fab, live entertainment and great atmosphere ❤️

It's just bloody awesome. And still is.

Only 1 word to describe this venue...WOW... What an amazing venue in todmorden. The food is amazing the hospitality from the management is unparalleled with anywhere else. The locals bring a uniquely perfect vibe to a beautiful venue. Special mention to CHE (I hope I spelt it right) she is truly the hostess with the mostess. Will definitely come back again ,just to visit and not perform. And a beautiful village/town to explore... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Awesome place. Great community pub with friendly and helpful staff👍🏼Fantastic range of beers on tap and in bottles. Can't wait for my return visit!🍻

Nice comfortable pub with good selection of real ales. A total bonus was the excellent Thai food served on the premises as a separate business. 👍

Proper community pub, amazing food, decent beers, lively atmosphere. The place to be in the upper Calder valley!

Good food and a unique atmosphere.

everything excellent, extraordinary party

Great atmosphere, friendly staff, good music

Always great!Yes glass of wine £6 , Great atmosphere, great staff. This place always busy so if I buy wine I buy 2 at the time lol. The owner is great person I lost keys and she found it for me! 100% Trust! I went for Foodbanks charity event This owner goes beyond everything to help others!!! The night with great music ! Never had food there maybe one day ! )

One of the most open and friendly gig venues in Yorkshire. Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse crowd and excellent choice of beers

The inside of the building had changed since the 1990s.

At the Golden Lion, the food menu is Thai, and it's absolutely delicious, very well priced, and a great choice on the menu, I would highly recommend a visit, we also thoroughly enjoyed having a drink as the atmosphere was great

A 'Marmite' kinda place. Not really my thing, but seems popular with younger punters than me.

I thought £8.00 for a large glass of wine was outrageous🙄 most expensive in Todmorden I've paid £7.00 or under in various places.

Nice old building, big beer selection, pleasant staff, tasty Thai food according to my pal that had his tea there and a banging sound system - unique! :-)

Love this eccentric, friendly, musical haven. It's quirkiness is wonderful

Absolutely the best Pub around, warm welcome excellent staff, great food, great music, amazing locals with big love and big hearts❤️ xx

What a fantastic find, great beer and service was excellent. The food is not your typical pub food, but it was absolutely delicious 😋. Every time I am in the area, that will be my go-to place to eat. Outstanding

Felt like I was in a Wild West saloon

Amazing atmosphere in the pub, recommended to everyone. Friendly people and staff, Niamh is a lovely barmaid

Brilliant local pub with a delicious selection of Thai food at a great price.

Hippest happnin place in town, didn't taste the food....but it looked good 👌🏻 The barstaff were awesome 😎

Fantastic place to spend an afternoon. Highly recommend the food.

Mate had q DJ night here. Mint venue.

Brilliant place🙂...A real pub with great music and real people bang into their music with dj sets from artists far and wide. Great Thai food too...what an absolute blast

Best pub in the UK, bar none! Gig & Waka are amazing hosts and put on brilliant events.

Difficult to assess as went in on a very busy, excessively loud Saturday evening. Super gig venue upstairs. Drinks etc seemed rather pricey .

Outstanding pub organising brilliant music events. The Thai food is amazing too. Highly recommend

This is one of the best pubs in the North. Very friendly atmosphere and great service. Cool alternative/indie crowd, the pub has bands and events that are always well attended. Highly recommended if you are in the area

Probably the best local in the world! A quick pint after work? A meal out with mates? See a local band? Or listen to a live dj set by David Holmes, Gilles Peterson, Luke Una, Don Letts, Adrian Sherwood, Mark Iration, Erol Alkan, Dennis Bovel + ufo meetings, life drawing class, comedy club…. (the list goes on and on and on)

Didn't have any food just watched a band great pub very busy

Listen. If you are ever in Todmorden, you have to go here. It's nuts! International DJs, World class Thai food, incredible atmosphere. I had one of the best nights ever...

Friendly, huge range of drinks including good selection of non-alcoholic. Live music and top drawer DJs many nights which has made it famous and .....then there's Gig , the heart and soul of one of the best pubs in the UK.

Such a good place out in the sticks Mecca for music lovers 🔊 Thai foods not bad either 😋

Nice pub I stayed the night. Cold room, door didn't even shut never mind lock. Barstaff fab tho

A nice enough place that I managed to visit when it wasn’t busy lol — nothing to complain about, and the canal next to the pub is a nice touch 👌🏻

Good beer, didn't try the thia food though

Awful Awful music downstairs dup step is a nahhhh

Apsolute awful beer tasted like perfume complained bout it and took 3/4 of it back and they replaced it with a 3/4 glass from curtasy (CHEAP SCATES) and it was warm too

Dog friendly. Full of lovely folk ♥️

I stopped off here for food and a pint. Sorry.... I dont like chinese food😭so didnt eat. Im sure its nice😁 We sat outside and it was very busy. Its a dog friendly place. Just didnt understand why nearly everyone wore a green or khaki top?? Maybe its a gathering place for.... Adult scouts? Dunno No fosters, stella, madri, carling.... But had a pint of summat i cant remember Seems popular

Brilliant place with a fantastic vibe

One of the best music venues in the UK plus great Thai food set against the backdop of the beautiful Calder valley. I love this place.

What a treat, the food was amazing. It wasan impromptu visit, but cannot wait to return.

What amazing place. Had heard a lot of wonderful things about the Golden Lion from friends and so glad I made the trip along for a special gig night. Friendly people, friendly place - cant wait to go back again

Have you discovered this place yet? Check out the events.. this is not a normal boozer! This place has something very special going on ♥️

Just seen a pic of frank sinatra stood in the doorway of the pub I need to visit

Headliner didn’t play and no conversation of refund. Music deserves better. Absolutely gutted. I really hope they take headliners more seriously. Because it funnier my name.

Love the Thai food, great beer. Can't fault the place.

Unparalleled hospitality. Food to die for. Brilliant staff and the landlady is a star.

I didn't order any food but I had a great time ar the reggae night!

Lovely pub and very nice Thai food served here

The smell of weed outside almost made me vomit. It's not the pubs fault but Todmorden for you. A free high if you like that stuff.

Tasty comforting food, good portion sizes. Nice atmosphere and varied music playing :)

Love this place! Wether it’s for a quick pint, a session, a gig or a lovely Thai meal - it’s always excellent 🌟

Decent down to earth pub with good prices and surprisingly good and very affordable thai food.

Amazing food, beer and music. Quite simply the best pub I've ever experienced. 5 stars.

Great Thai food in a very friendly atmosphere with lots of live events virtually every night. The place itself is quite basic (hard chairs) but the food, pleasant staff and very tasty food more than make up for it. Very reasonable prices too. We’ll be returning very soon.

Todmorden UFO group meet there every 3rd Tuesday of the month...Unique pub experience..

Wicked little gig spot in Todmorden, well worth a visit.

What a blast! Wonderful people in wonderful city doing wonderful events. 10/10 coming back

Always a joy at The Golden Lion. The usual great music and a superb Jungle Curry.

Had a meal here during Todmorden Folk Festival. It was very busy, our Thai food took an hour to arrive, the staff provided some prawn crackers while we waited. Food tasty when it arrived.

A pub for everyone. A trad looking pub, house music on the sound system, loads of rooms and outdoor spaces, a music room upstairs for cozy gigs, and some of the best Thai food I've had recently. There's a great drinks menu and the prices aren't out either. Food really is excellent and well priced. And it's tasty too. I can say that I really do like this pub. It gets very busy, a good sign to be sure. Well worth a visit.

Magic pub .. great landlady ... Good food good gigs. Very welcoming.

Great venue for events. A1 sound system. Great staff and lovely part of the world. Pool table is more than serviceable. Also serve decent Thai food.

Top quality authentic Thai food. This place thrives in an unusually hipster style pub environment due to it’s focus on authentic food that rivals anything I’ve ever had in the whole of Thailand itself. There are other Thai restaurants around this area and in fact East Lancs and West Yorks but I have to say that they don’t come close to this place Service is basic, environment is rustic…. Food is exceptional Thanks Guys, another return visit is definitely on my cards

To say that this bar is eclectic would be severely understating what it is like. It is a mishmash of its experiences. There are Asian influenced bric-a-brac throughout the pub. It is a traditional English pub from the outside. It clearly is well loved by the locals. There were barflies here, but they added to the character of the pub. We stopped for hot cuppas rather than alcoholic beverages, and they weren’t very good. I’m not sure if either of us were expecting much though. Still, we enjoyed our time here, and we talked to some of the locals while we were here. All in all, I thought that the experience was charming.

We visited on a Thursday evening to attend a gig in the upstairs room. We arrived early and sampled some of the excellent Thai food and cask ales on offer. Staff were all very friendly and welcoming as we're the locals. After the gig we came downstairs to find an open mic night in full swing which we stayed to enjoy for a while. We had a great night and will definitely be back to enjoy another night at The Golden Lion.

Great food, drink selection & events. Staff are all brilliant, great beer garden & conveniently located :)