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The Merry Monk

+44 330 223 4740
1 George St, Bishop Auckland DL14 7BE United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Open Today: 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Amenities

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Bar games
  • Live music
Accessibility
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Wine
Amenities
  • Toilets
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cosy
Crowd
  • Groups
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
Payments
  • NFC mobile payments

Best PlaceJuice Reviews

Can't beat the merry monk on a Saturday night. Its where everyone comes together at the end of night and is the only place open late. Staff are always friendly. Only downside is its very narrow and you feel squashed but it has a big garden, that also has a bar so you can get sorted from outside, which makes up for it. Canny music, alright prices, what more could you want. Does cost £1 to get in which is honestly fair as its the place to be.
I come in here quite often to play darts with my son early on in day . It's a really good darts set up. .I have never been in later at night when it's a night club.
The beer is really, really good. I drink Guinness and its the best pint in bishop Auckland , and I would say as good as the pints I have had in Ireland .
It's comfortable and the staff are also friendly. I thoroughly recommend it.
Quality food at very local prices - highly recommended. Great service.
Sell beer so we are happy nice music nice beer don't need anything else
A great blend a modern/traditional pub. Good atmosphere and good beer ( also good gin, according to my other half). Wednesday night is open mic night hosted by Neil Gibson. Always an entertaining experience. Go on, give it a try. You'll not be disappointed.
Now called The Sportsman. Only toasties available at a very reasonable £2, but no other food and the coffee machine was out of order, otherwise ok.
I went here for my 18th birthday and I loved the place they do WKD Beers and all sorts of other things
I went in and was instantly attacked by the smell of cheese, could only stay in for about 10 minutes couldn't even finish my pint because the glasses even tasted of cheese..
but I am lactose intolerant. Long story short ended up going to AE to make sure cholesterol was okay.

Quick Facts About The Merry Monk

The Merry Monk, now known as The Sportsman, has a number of strengths that make it a popular choice among customers. These strengths include being the go-to place on a Saturday night, offering a friendly staff, having a big garden area with an outdoor bar, playing canny music, and having reasonable prices. Additionally, the pub is well-known for its darts setup and is highly recommended for its quality beer, comfortable ambiance, friendly staff, and affordable food. The pub also offers an open mic night on Wednesday hosted by Neil Gibson, which is always entertaining. It is evident from the comments that the majority of patrons enjoy their experience at The Merry Monk.
One of the main strengths of The Merry Monk is its popularity as a late-night venue. Many people appreciate that it is the only place open late, where everyone comes together at the end of the night. This indicates that the pub has successfully established itself as a social hub for the community.
Another strength is the friendly staff. Multiple comments praise the staff for being welcoming and approachable. This is essential in creating a positive atmosphere and ensuring customer satisfaction. Their interaction with customers plays a significant role in building a loyal customer base.
The big garden with an outdoor bar is also mentioned as a strength. It provides customers with an alternative space, especially for those who may find the indoor area too narrow or overcrowded. This shows that the pub management understands the importance of accommodating different preferences and needs.
The music at The Merry Monk is also appreciated by patrons. Comments suggest that the music selection is enjoyable and adds to the overall atmosphere. Music can greatly influence the mood of a place, and a pub that consistently plays canny music is likely to attract a diverse range of customers.
Reasonable prices are mentioned as another strength. Customers appreciate that they can enjoy a night out without breaking the bank. Affordable prices make the pub accessible to a wider audience, enabling more people to have a positive experience and become regulars.
The Merry Monk's reputation for good darts setup is also highlighted. For customers who enjoy playing darts, it is important to have a well-maintained and properly equipped area. This strength could potentially attract a specific audience that is interested in participating in friendly games of darts.
Furthermore, the pub receives positive feedback for its quality food at local prices. Great service is also mentioned, indicating that the staff not only excel in providing good food but also in ensuring customer satisfaction.
However, there are a few weaknesses that have been mentioned by some reviewers. One customer states that the pub, rebranded as The Sportsman, only offers toasties as food options and that the coffee machine was out of order during their visit. This could be seen as a limited food selection and may not appeal to customers who prefer a wider variety of choices. Additionally, the broken coffee machine suggests a lack of attention to detail or maintenance.
Another customer mentions that they had a negative experience due to their lactose intolerance. They describe being overwhelmed by a strong smell of cheese and even claim that the glasses tasted of cheese. Although this is an individual experience, it highlights the importance of catering to customers with dietary restrictions and maintaining cleanliness.
In conclusion, The Merry Monk, now known as The Sportsman, has numerous strengths that attract customers, such as its popularity as a late-night venue, friendly staff, big garden with an outdoor bar, canny music, reasonable prices, quality food, and good atmosphere. These factors contribute to positive experiences for most patrons. However, the pub does have a few weaknesses, such as a limited food selection and the need to accommodate customers with dietary restrictions. Overall, the strengths of The Merry Monk outweigh its weaknesses, making it a recommended place to visit for a good night out.


Today

Opening Hours

Monday 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday 02:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday 03:00 PM - 01:00 AM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 01:00 AM
Sunday 02:00 AM - 10:00 PM

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