Blind Jack

Lovely old fashioned pub with an excellent selection of real ales. Friendly and helpful staff. Dog friendly. It was pretty busy on a Thursday evening. Not surprised as it was a lovely place. Everything you could possibly want in a lovely old pub and more. Loved it here.

A splendid real ale pub on the market square. Named after a local legend. Casta and Jorvic told me that it is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide entry for 2025. Easy to see why. The very " Red" interior is splendid. I had a Castle Rock brewery 3.8% Pale. Very good. A two roomed pub downstairs with some front seating on the market place. Also 2 room upstairs space as well. Also toilets up here. More upmarket than the one on the ground floor.

As a visitor from Scotland, here is a my review of Blind Jack's in Knaresborough, a pub that feels both familiar and refreshingly different. Blind Jack's is the kind of pub that instantly puts a smile on your face. Stepping in from the bustling market square, you're greeted by an atmosphere that feels both ancient and alive. For a Scot, it's a bit like finding a proper old boozer in Glasgow or Edinburgh—all bare brick, dark wood, and a genuine, unpretentious vibe. Plus we were staying in the apartments next door, so not far to stagger back to bed. The first thing I noticed is the "no food, no music" policy. This isn't a place for a quiet meal; it's a place for a good blether. The air is filled with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. It feels like a throwback in the best possible way, where the main event is the company and the excellent beer. And the beer... ah, the beer. Blind Jack's is a true alehouse, and they take their craft seriously. The selection is fantastic, with a rotating list of cask and keg beers, often featuring brilliant local Yorkshire brews. It's a real treat to explore a different region's beer scene, and you'll find plenty to satisfy a Scottish palate accustomed to good ale. They also have an impressive gin menu and a great selection of other spirits, but sadly no Glayva or Drambuie however there's something for everyone. The pub itself is a warren of little rooms spread across a few floors. You can find a cozy nook downstairs or venture up the steep, dog-legged staircase to the upstairs rooms. Each space has its own character, with vintage posters and quirky decor, including a room dedicated to the Holland-America shipping line for some reason! One of the most charming things about Blind Jack's is its namesake, John "Blind Jack" Metcalf, a legendary 18th-century road builder from the area. We read all about him when we visited the castle and museum. There's a life-size drawing of him on the stairway wall, and a bronze likeness of him on a bench outside in the square. It's a lovely touch that connects the pub to the town's history. As a visitor from Scotland, Blind Jack's feels like a home away from home, but with a unique Yorkshire flavour. It's a testament to the fact that a great pub doesn't need fancy bells and whistles—it just needs good beer, a friendly atmosphere, and a story to tell. If you're in Knaresborough and you fancy a proper pint, this is the place to be. You'll leave feeling like you've had a truly authentic experience and maybe, just maybe, you'll be tempted to move down here, we’re thinking about it, and if not we’re definitely visiting again !!

Blind Jacks is a very traditional pub right in the heart of Knaresborough. Its simple pub without any mess mean no food, music or anything. Its just the customers who are creating the original atmosphere. Its arranged over a number of rooms in a three storey building and providing you plenty of space. Great selection of beers and a friendly, welcoming vibes.

This is a very old traditional pub, we popped in for a couple of pints and it was really busy. We managed to get a seat, mixed bag of people and lots of dogs which was lovely. The drinks were spot on excellent service and good atmosphere highly recommend for a few drinks.