Not as bad a place as other reviewers would have you believe. It's certainly not a place I'd want…read moreto be my local, and it's definitely a townie pub. Yes the karaoke was belting out at full blast as the locals sung badly out of tune classics. But they were generally having fun. Who but the most sour of people will be so bitter to pour scorn on that? What I'd make the place down on, is the lack of ales. Every pub needs at least one ale. Whilst they only sell lagers & ciders...

Zero stars. How is…read morethis dive still in business. The karaoke at full whack was a bit harsh at first, I'm quite easy going but couldn't sit inside. I asked for a pint and was asked whether I would be inside or outside and had a polyurethane pint as I wanted to go outside. As I was stood just outside the door some drunk who was on his phone interrupted his own phone conversation to shout at me 'Is that a glass?' I said yes, kept looking at him and he carried on with his conversation about getting a delivery. Some thing along the lines of candy floss he could shove up his nose. He then ran back in to tell someone inside I had broken their polyurethane law. 2 minutes later some other older woman came stomping out who looked like a bloke in drag said 'Is that a glass?' So I said it might me which she had to check by tapping it with her fungus infested nails. I was then told I couldn't stand up with a polyurethane pint and had to sit down. I presume she was the landlady, she didn't introduce herself. I came to scarborough for the tour de yorkshire. And ended up being talked down to by cretins. Give an idiot a bit of power and they will abuse it every time. Evidently they have never run a pub before. Tell your barstaff if you're off outside you have to sit down. This is the worst pub I have ever been to. The only thing they could have done worse is if someone had taken a dump in my pint.

A lovely local pub that is tucked far enough back that you won't be among the tourist throngs…read more Quite a strange greeting to be by greeted by a local who decided that we'd better not be kept waiting for the landlady & thus he popped behind the bar. Not a bad pour for a non barkeep. Alas he was afraid of the till... Unfortunately the landlady reappeared as if by magic. So our drinks were not complimentary. Friendly place, as more & more locals came in. They greeted us & wished us a find farewell as they left. Another place I've fallen for...

We got lucky with a nice sunny day in Scarborough and sat on the outside patio area with a few…read morepints. Price for a pint I THINK was just under £4, so not that cheap, but it's nice to just sit back and have a drink with your pals on a rare sunny spring day and this place is a good spot to do just that. The look of this pub/restaurant is also what makes it alluring- it looks like a cute renovated building with a historical look and is really clean inside. The fish & chips looked really fresh and delicious and I heard someone at the next table who received their plate saying the chips looked like they were made from scratch instead of the frozen kind you sometimes see at some chippy's. The chips did look really good so I'll have to come back one day and try those. I'm sure the fish would be really fresh since it's right next to the water, too. I would definitely come back here for a pint if the sun is out and we want to do some people watching.

Cozy Samuel Smith pub on the waterfront in Scarborough…read more Maybe I am biased because I think that the independent Samuel Smith Brewery (from Tadcaster, Yorkshire - not too far from this place) has only GOOD beers on offer. I've never tasted a Sam Smith's that I did not like - although they mostly aren't real ales. But The Golden Ball is a very friendly Sam Smith pub with a pleasant view over the harbour of Scarborough, the landlady is also helpful and nice to talk to. Don't expect any stylistic flourishes as far as the decor and furniture are concerned, but it isn't grimy or grubby either. A typical British small town pub if you ask me. The building though is on the cute side. The bar room towards the harbour is rather small: 14, 16 people - it's packed. But there is a larger area towards the back - only the view is not as nice. Samuel Smith beers are very competitively priced, especially in this area: Their most expensive beer, the Pure Brewed Lager, which costs £ 4.24 at one of my favorite pubs in London, The Chandos opposite the National Portrait Gallery, is just £ 2.92 here! All the other beers are similarly low in price. The Golden Ball is not a place to while away a whole afternoon (maybe!), but it certainly is a good pub to pop in for an hour.

See my review for the Harbour Bar, it's exactly the same pub. Another name. And bizarrely the name…read morethat's actually displayed.

Popped in here on my way to Tikka Tikka as there is Karaoki every night. Not that I'm going to try…read moresinging you understand! This is an old fashioned PUB, no frills but good beer and i'm told they do food too. If you're on holiday this didn't seem like the place you'd take the kids but I'm sure they'd be welcome during the day. I enjoyed my beer and the floor-show was interesting if not entertaining. I'd go back for another beer if in the area. Side note: They sell pork scratchings, so it really is a proper pub. X = You've gotta be kidding me XX = trying but not reaching the standard expected or advertised XXX = achieving the standards expected/advertised however high that might be XXXX = they're doing something special here, above expected standards of service XXXXX = WOW! you gotta go here!

Sometimes you get recommendations from friends that are ironic and sometimes you get…read morerecommendations that are earnest. With regards to the Lord Nelson, such a recommendation was entirely the former. It all came about from a last minute decision to go to Scarborough for the weekend, which I obviously trumpeted on social media (because 2016) and my aforementioned friend spotted said declaration on Facebook. Her words were (and I paraphrase), "Try the Lord Nelson -- it's so good/bad." I'll be honest, I knew the score before we even entered. Nonetheless, we were game. Always. And what a classic dive it is. We wandered in on a Saturday evening to a mostly empty pub, save a few locals and Mr Karaoke. He was attempting a duet with a man who, by the sounds of things, perhaps didn't have teeth. Or didn't know words? Not sure. He metaphorically mic-dropped mid-performance and abandoned the "stage". No reason. The bar man was very friendly, and for that we were grateful. We were almost having fun, and kind of up for a tune ourselves, until we realised the state of the toilets and the fact there was a massive finger nail just casually left on the table we chose to sit at. I actually gipped up my bottle of Becks a bit, which I feel could have been entirely appropriate here. It was definitely time to leave.

I love this pub, laid back, friendly, even a real fire on…read morecold days. Has been a live band on some occasions I have popped in. Truth be told the landlord - Mikey - I think he called is a bit of a dish! Always got time for a chat to make you feel good whatever you have going on. If I hadn't been married for 55 years I reckon I could be tempted after a sherry or two!

friendly and welcome atmosphere! good selection off real ales and live bands! the open fire is…read morewonderful and has a natural rustic feel! meet a lots of good people here and there is always a friendly face behind the bar!

Irish bar, Quite dark inside but has a great atmosphere and is cosy, prices are average for drinks…read more A nice pub to have a quiet drink (depending on the crowd!)

Hi everyone just want to say this little irish bar is just brill i had a great time there the…read morepeople were friendly the staff were just great even lit the fire and we there on a cold dec day i would and have gone back there. the music was great on a night we visited real irish trad.Its the pub to be in if you want that irish feeling just love it.

Without a doubt the best quality ale in Scarborough served by the most competent cellar person I…read morehave ever met. John and Linda have built up a solid reputation amongst the tweed jacketed, ponytailed CAMRA brigade but don't let that detract. An ever changing list of ales with two constants. Over a 100 plus Belgian beers on offers as well as National award winning ciders and perrys. They are trying to get the kitchens up and running again which can only be a good thing. The only slight down side of this place is that to enter you have to walk the gauntlet of the filthy smokers who gather outside the only door and spread their smog. They should be encouraged by the staff not to stand at the door

Went to the bar recently…read more Nice atmosphere. Good drinks and the prices were fantastic

even if you not into sports its a grate friendly place! play pool darts dominoes or watch a match…read moreon tv without the annoying big loud crowds! staff are warm and welcoming!

Opened in 2009, this pub in town use to be the strip club…read more It is in a great location, the pub is nice enough, but it is missing something. It has all the ingredients for a great cocktail bar, but the owner doesn't want to attract that type of crowd. it is good, but could be so much better....

Pleasant bar, stopped off for lunch and wasn't disappointed. Small selection of reasonably priced…read moremenu options, Good service time. Very small selection of ales. Would return andante try out on an evening for live music.