Bar that specialises in craft beer opens in Burnley

Hatters Bar opened in December, in St James Row, and is serving craft beer and ales as well as cider, gin and beyond.

Owners Joseph and Sarah Ashworth want the pub to become a hub of the community.

Joseph and Sarah Ashworth, owners of Hatters Bar in Burnley (Image: Joseph and Sarah Ashwortth)

Joseph, who began his career in the industry as a glass collector decade ago, said: “It’s always been my dream to own a bar.

"Another reason I decided to open is because craft beers bars are everywhere – but I thought there was more of a gap in the market in Burnley.

“We want to be a community pub and place where everyone knows everyone. We hope people will be comfortable enough to recommend and talk about beers.

“Hopefully we can bring a community of craft beer lovers together and replicate the success of craft beer bars in other Lancashire towns.

Inside Hatters Bar in Burnley (Image: Joseph and Sarah Ashworth)

“To watch our community grow will be a really exciting experience.”

According to Joseph, who worked at Moorhouse’s Brewery in Burnley for two years, said the last few weeks have gone well.

He said: “The last few weeks have been really good, especially because we have mainly relied on word of mouth to let people know we are open.

Inside Hatters Bar in Burnley (Image: Sarah Ashworth)“We have had repeat customers so we must be doing something right.”

Named is recognition of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter, and Josephs' love of vintage trilby hats, the bar has a rustic aesthetic.

Inside Hatters Bar in Burnley (Image: Joseph Ashworth)

Joseph said the bar will rotate brands adding that real ale is always £2.50 a pint.

He said: “We hope people in Burnley will really like the bar. It’s a bit different, but still affordable and premium.

“We sell brands that you might not see in other bars, such as beers from Vocation and Bank Top breweries.”