ARCHITECTURAL & HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE:
The building is an early to mid-19th century stone two-storey structure, with stone slate roof and carved doorway detailing. It’s Grade II listed on the National Heritage List since 8 July 1974.

Architecturally, it features corbel stones on the roof, supporting a corbel tablet; one was removed and later replaced when the adjacent Red Lion was constructed.

ORIGINS & OWNERSHIP:
Around 1820, the site was occupied by Edmonde Maude, a spirit dealer and iron/white goods merchant. The property fronted Kirkgate and backed onto Maud’s Yard — named after his family.

In 1904, the premises were acquired by William Whitaker & Co., Wine and Spirit Merchants, giving rise to its current name.

LICENSES & NAMES OVER TIME:
First recorded landlord: William Watson in 1865.

Many licensees followed: Livingston (1878), Metcalfe (1881), Shackleton (1895), John Ackroyd (1900), Ann Ackroyd (1911), Ashwell (1913), Thomas & Margaret Brogan, Ernest Kitchen (1923), and Charles E. Greaves (1937).

The pub has borne various names historically: “Dram Shop,” “Kirkgate Vaults,” and “Quiet John’s Vaults” (named after a reserved licensee around 1900–1911)

MYSTERIES & DISCOVERIES:
Beneath its cellars are stone arched vaults, with a supposed passage rumoured to connect to the parish church — likely just a historically blocked storage tunnel.

In 1988, a landlord discovered a substantial underground vault, possibly a cold store. The Otley Museum examined “rusty meat hooks” and dated it to the 17th century.

ANYTHING ELSE?
We are delighted to hold steampunk events where people dress up and sell unique items.  We do this in support of Local Hug on a Tray, as our chosen charity.