Quick Facts About The Shoulder of Mutton
Strengths:
1. Large beer garden and plentiful outdoor seating: The Shoulder of Mutton has a spacious outdoor seating area, allowing customers to enjoy their drinks and meals in the open air. This is a major advantage, particularly during the summer months.
2. Well-kept and clean pub with shiny brasses: The pub's cleanliness and well-maintained appearance contribute to a positive overall atmosphere. Shiny brasses and natural stone walls add to the traditional and charming ambiance of the pub.
3. Handpulled cask beers: The availability of Black Sheep and Farmer's Blonde on hand pump gives customers a selection of quality cask beers to choose from. This is likely to appeal to beer enthusiasts and those who appreciate a good pint.
4. Selection of sandwiches available: In addition to drinks, The Shoulder of Mutton offers a variety of sandwiches. This provides customers with a food option that is convenient, quick, and easy to enjoy alongside their drinks.
5. Family-friendly atmosphere: The pub is described as family-friendly and welcoming. This is a strength, as it means the pub can cater to a wide range of customers, including those with children.
6. Gorgeous location: The pub is situated in a beautiful and quiet village location, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a peaceful and idyllic setting.
7. Friendly staff and locals: The pub has garnered positive comments regarding the friendliness of both the staff and the regular customers. This is likely to contribute to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
8. Great pint: The quality of the beer is praised, with comments suggesting that the pub serves a great pint. This is a significant strength, as quality beverages are a key factor in attracting and retaining customers.
Weaknesses:
1. Inconsistent service: One comment mentions that the staff fail to keep track of the order in which customers arrive at the bar, prioritizing locals over other customers. This can lead to longer waiting times for those who are not regulars and may result in frustration and dissatisfaction.
2. Understaffing during peak times: Another comment notes that there were only two members of staff working when the pub was packed. This resulted in longer waiting times and potentially a decline in the level of service provided.
3. Unpleasant customer experience: One customer had a negative encounter with another patron who was rude and confrontational. The staff's response to the incident was considered inadequate, as they did not address the issue effectively. This highlights a lack of proactive management in dealing with disruptive behavior and ensuring a welcoming environment for all customers.
4. Failure to address customer complaints: The dissatisfaction of one customer regarding their experience was not effectively addressed by the bar staff. This lack of concern for customer feedback may impact the pub's ability to retain customers and maintain a positive reputation.
5. Limited choice of real ales: While the availability of cask beers is praised, it is mentioned that the choice is limited. This may disappoint beer enthusiasts who desire a wider variety to choose from.
6. Lack of indoor seating: Although the pub has a large outdoor seating area, there is no mention of the seating capacity indoors. If the indoor seating area is limited, it may pose a challenge during unfavorable weather conditions.
Overall, The Shoulder of Mutton has several strengths that contribute to its appeal, including a spacious outdoor seating area, well-kept premises, a selection of cask beers, and a family-friendly atmosphere. However, there are weaknesses to consider, such as inconsistent service, inadequate response to customer complaints, and limited indoor seating. By addressing these weaknesses and prioritizing customer satisfaction, the pub can further enhance its strengths and position itself as a top choice for locals and visitors alike.
Best TL Reviews
Very good little village pub with large beer garden and plentiful outdoor seating. Has some additional seating to the front as well. A very well kept and clean pub with extremely shiny brasses. Natural stone walls and chunky wooden beams. Handpulled cask beers were Black Sheep and Farmer's Blonde. Also had a selection of sandwiches available. All good, would revisit and would recommend.
Lovely little country pub. Staff aren't the best. They don't keep an eye on what order people arrive at the bar, so will serve locals first. The pub was packed and only 2 members of staff on so had to wait ages to be served
Lovely family friendly traditional pub. Eat excellent food inside or out. Relax in a gorgeous location. Quiet clean air welcoming atmosphere.
We were working in the village fiting an oil boiler and new radiators in a property. We visited this beautiful pub at the end of the day. What a find cracking pub great open fires great staff and locals who made us feel very welcome. The beer was also first class. Thank-you for making sykes plumbing and heating welcome.
Very disappointed with my most recent visit. Myself and my husband often visit, usually around a couple of times a month as we do the brockadale nature reserve walk with our dog and call in for a drink. Usually the bar staff and people are friendly.
Today I thought I'd drive down with my mum as it's a lovely old pub, lots of character and has a nice fire so perfect for a drink and a sandwich. My mum thought the pub was lovely so we thought we'd stay for a second drink. About half way in to our second drink an old woman came and smashed her wine glass down on the table and said to me and my mum really nastily "can you move up as there is some more people coming and we always sit here!" So me and my mum were so gobsmacked about how this woman spoke to us and I said "wow that was a bit rude there was no need for that" and she ignored me. Me and my mum finished our drinks up but felt very uncomfortable as we were constantly being watched by this woman, another woman and a man throwing evil looks at us. I took the glasses to the bar and still mortified by what had just happend I decided to speak to the woman who was working behind the bar. I basically said that the woman had been really rude and that there was no need for her to speak to us like that, the bar woman did apologise on her behalf (as she witnessed it and chose to do nothing about it) and sort of brushed it off and said "oh she can be quite rude" as if it is acceptable for customers to be spoken to like that by other customers. I said "I understand they're probably locals but people like that are going to drive customers away" but the bar woman didn't seem bothered, probably because this woman had bought her a drink.
I don't think I will be going back as it was not a welcoming environment at all today which is a shame as we don't usually have any problems. Me and my mum obviously 'spoilt' someones Friday afternoon. I am also frustrated as I feel like if it was the other way round and I spoke to an old woman like that it would be a different story but no, it seems acceptable for an old person to talk to a younger person like rubbish!
Very disappointed!
Nice little pub in the village of Kirk Smeaton. There's a small choice of real ales on hand pump and a good selection of commercial beers and lagers.
There's a huge seating area at the rear and a large car park. There is also a decent sized patch of grass with a football net for the kids to play on.
A lovely little pub, set in a quiet but lovely location. Great to stop by for a few drinks when following the public pathway through Brockadale nature reserve near Wentbridge Pontefract. Friendly staff and locals alike. Plenty of outdoor seating for sunny days.
Great pint and staff. Quiz night is great fun, and enjoyed by all
Place Pictures
The Shoulder of Mutton Info
Amenities
Service options
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Outdoor seating
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Dine-in
Health and safety
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Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Accessibility
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Wine
Atmosphere
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Casual
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Cosy
Crowd
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Groups
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 12:01 PM - 12:01 AM |
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| Tuesday | 12:01 PM - 12:01 AM |
| Wednesday | 12:01 PM - 12:01 AM |
| Thursday | 12:01 PM - 12:01 AM |
| Friday | 12:01 PM - 12:30 AM |
| Saturday | 12:01 PM - 12:30 AM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM - 11:30 PM |
How to go there
Location
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12. Riverside