A HOTEL is reopening one of its historic bars to Bradford City fans on home matchdays.

The doors of the Spirit of Bradford Bar will be open between noon and 8pm on matchdays when the Bantams play at Valley Parade in League 2 and the FA Cup throughout the new season.

This will begin this Saturday when Mark Hughes’ side start their new league campaign with a home clash against South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Inside the Spirit of Bradford bar at the Cheapside hotelInside the Spirit of Bradford bar at the Cheapside hotel

This will give Bantams fans another option for a pre-match and post-match drink in and around Bradford city centre.

The Cheapside-based hotel is well located for fans on matchday as it's near Bradford Forster Square train station, with Valley Parade a walkable distance.

The bar features a large Bradford mural including a city scene complete with buses.

It also includes a host of Bradford sporting memorabilia from the past, like a celebration of the Bantams’ FA Cup-winning squad of 1911. A signed Bantams replica home shirt from last season will also go on display in the bar.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A close-up of part of the mural inside the Spirit of Bradford barA close-up of part of the mural inside the Spirit of Bradford bar

David Crossley, Midland Hotel general manager, said the reopening of the bar for Bantams fans is to gauge interest in reopening the bar more frequently. 

He said: “It should be a good atmosphere in the bar. There should be a few in there.

“The bar has been closed to the public since before the pandemic and this is the first time it has been reopened.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Telegraph & Argus features on the bar's mural The Telegraph & Argus features on the bar's mural

“We will give this a go on City matchdays. We have some Bradford sporting memorabilia in there and we will have some music on in there too.”

Mr Crossley added the bar would be open on midweek matchdays, with these times yet to be confirmed, and if the matches are held on a Sunday rather than a Saturday.

The Midland Hotel reopening the bar has been hailed on social media.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford City's Jamie Walker celebrates after scoring in his side's 2-0 friendly win Sunderland at Valley Parade earlier this month. Picture: Thomas GaddBradford City's Jamie Walker celebrates after scoring in his side's 2-0 friendly win Sunderland at Valley Parade earlier this month. Picture: Thomas Gadd

On the hotel’s Facebook post, one comment said: “What a great idea this is a wonderful bar for all Bradfordians to enjoy.

“It's a great secure environment for everyone to enjoy this wonderful bar in Bradford’s best hotel, come on Bradford people support the bar for every matchday the bar is open.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A Bradford bus from yesteryear which features as part of the bar's muralA Bradford bus from yesteryear which features as part of the bar's mural

The Midland Hotel was built in 1885 and has hosted Laurel and Hardy, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

The Spirit of Bradford Bar will also be available for hire for special occasions. For more information, call the hotel on 01274 735735.