September 10, 2015 4.15 pm This story is over 101 months old

First look: The Cardinal’s Hat a Lincoln pub once more

Before and after: Take a tour of Lincoln’s newest independent pub, a development that’s transformed a historic High Street building.

Many will recognise The Cardinal’s Hat as the hidden HQ of St John’s Ambulance, but very few will have seen it in its heyday as a vibrant pub – until now.

The Grade II listed building has kept its name and its Tudor-style facade, but when local businessman Rupert Abbott set his sights on bringing it back to use as a pub he had his work cut out inside to find its original character.

Before and after.

Before and after.

The pub, which was built in the early 1400s, has served many former lives including a fishmonger, grocery store and tavern.

The new renovation has transformed it into a specialist bar serving beers, guest ales, wines, ciders and a selection of dished sharers and bar snacks from artisan producers.

Before and after.

Before and after.

Guests at The Cardinal’s Hat will also be able to enjoy a vintage-inspired newspaper-style menu, and some special products which change weekly.

After a slight delay, the pub opened on Thursday, September 10, complete with three storeys of uniquely furnished rooms, a small beer garden and a state-of-the-art refrigerated cellar.

Before and after.

Before and after.

The venture has also created 25 new jobs in the area and is being managed by Simon and Belinda Hall.

Business owner Rupert Abbott said previously: “Internally, we have tried to make a lot of different rooms with different feels and the building is on lots of different levels.

“What we are focussing on are products which are hard to find. There won’t be your Carling or Carlsberg, it’ll be a selection of niche beers from all over the world. There are some brands that you won’t see anywhere else in Lincoln.”