A new Harrogate bar opens - with Roosters on permanently!

A new independent bar opened earlier this week in Harrogate with a great pedigree in craft beer and fantastic Yorkshire pubs.
The new independent Harrogate bar will offer beer, wine, gin plus coffee and food.The new independent Harrogate bar will offer beer, wine, gin plus coffee and food.
The new independent Harrogate bar will offer beer, wine, gin plus coffee and food.

Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House was opened officially to the public last night, Wednesday at 47 Oxford Street, a site which was formerly Jakes cafe for a number of years and, before that, Milans Coffee House.

This latest addition to Harrogate’s new wave of indie bars is not only dedicated to craft beer but also good coffee and tasty Jamie-style food.

Opening night saw a wide offering of cask and keg beers.

Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.
Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.
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There were handpulled craft beers including Roosters’ Yankee, Hawkshead’s Windermere Pale Ale, Harrogate Brewing Co’s Pinewoods Pale Ale, an example of a Great Heck from Goole and, of course, Black Sheep.

The selection of gins is extensive, including Harrogate favourite Slingsby.

The bright and friendly figure behind this welcoming new bar has the kind of CV in the beer trade that usually augurs well.

Owner Simon Midgley, director of Murmuration Ltd, is a man with vast experience in his field. For 12 years he worked with Market Town Taverns owner Ian Fozard as this pioneering firm’s managing director, the Knaresborough-based business which helped transform the district’s bar scene and whose son now own Roosters. brewery.

Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.
Simon Midgeley, owner of new Harrogate bar Starling Independent Beer & Coffee House.
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More recently, he’s been commercial director at Ossett Brewery.

Simon said: “We aim to be open from 8.30am for people who like good coffee and will also serve brunch. And we’re going to offer Italian pizzas from our in-house ovens.”

One particular victory for this newcomer is that it is going to have the popular Roosters’ Baby Face Assassin on offer - permanently!

But there will also be regular changes in guest craft beers in keg and cast.

Brunch will be served until 2.30pm each day and Yorkshire Deli Boards will also be a fixture on the menu.

The coffee is sourced from specialists Dark Woods.