The Bradford Club 1 Piece Hall Yard, Bradford BD1 1PJ

"Excellent club, good ale, great food, quality snooker tables and friendly staff."

"The frequenting of a private members’ club for long lingering lunches by lawyers, bankers and accountants may be reminiscent of a bygone era but central Bradford retains – to the surprise of many – such a venue, tucked away in Piece Hall Yard between Kirkgate and Hustlergate. While I understand that weekday lunches remain available – to members only – the future of such a venue has to lie in a wider role catering to conferences and events, which is the capacity in which I came to know it. My wife and I held a naming ceremony for our son Jasper at the Bradford Club in October, and we are certainly glad we did. Most Bradfordians are familiar with the usual events venues in the city centre – from the Victorian splendour of the Midland and Great Victoria to the practical flexibility of the Brontë Suite at the Bradford Hotel – but there’s a good chance they might not even have heard of this opulent venue sandwiched between two of the city’s oldest thoroughfares, with its understated entrance marked with a plaque adjacent to the door and a flag overhead. What lies behind that door is a surprisingly large venue befitting of what was once Britain’s richest city, with multiple rooms allowing for a great deal of flexibility for those organising an event. What that meant for us is that we could have a bar, a room for the ceremony, another room for dining and a disco, one for kids to play if the main room got too much, and a snooker room for anyone who wanted to do something different. It worked really well. No visit to Bradford is complete without a curry, and I admit to a degree of scepticism when the club told me that they could cater our event with authentic Asian cuisine. I have to say, I was suitably impressed, with a selection of curries served that received exceptional feedback from all of our guests. Needless to say for a venue as venerable as the Bradford Club, the staff are consummate professionals and I extend my thanks to Peter, Philip, Vanessa and the chef whose name unfortunately escapes me for making Jasper’s naming ceremony such a special and memorable occasion. Bar prices are refreshingly reasonable, and though on a pedestrianised street, parking is cheap and plentiful in the nearby Broadway Shopping Centre. If you’re planning an event in or around Bradford, I unhesitatingly suggest adding the Bradford Club to your shortlist."

"Quaint club in the heart of the city centre. Rooms have a lovely old feel about them with leather chairs in the library, a dining room with lunches available and a snooker room with 5 full sized tables. The staff are always courteous and friendly."

"This as the feeling of an old man's club,quite grand too. found it a friendly place staff are very helpful, I visited it to listen to Bradford textile society talks, which they or monthly."

"I do like visiting this place. It's reminiscent of a bygone era. Wingback chairs, private dining, snooker tables. Good for functions and events. Still available as a members club. They do a great job with the food. And the drinks are well priced. Good value."