The Calver Arms — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

Difficult to categorise this place, it's totally different to its namesake up the road at Hassop. It was built in the 1970s and has a modern internal layout in contrast to the outside ivy covered walls which may fool some people about its proper age. There are no quirky corners or chunky carved stone fireplaces in here and it is missing that historical feel that all ancient pubs seem to have. It's comfortable, although a bit plasticky with its artificial false ceiling beams. Seems more like a business than a pub the way it's run, one of a minor pub chain I would think. Customers are a bit more down to earth than the higher spending types in the local rival pubs. So much for the atmosphere but what about practical facts. Beer is very expensive. Eg at £3.40 a pint for EPA, which can be got at £1.95 per pint in other places. There is little choice of cask ale, just Hobgoblin when we went in, but all the common stuff, Mansfield Smooth, Carling lager, Guinness etc etc are on the bar. It's a proper pub though and drinkers are welcome (with their dogs) to stand drinking at the bar. As for diners, food is relatively inexpensive, at least compared to its nearby neighbours, the Derwentwater Arms and the Eyre Arms at Hassop. Portions are generous, food is well presented and of decent quality, eg chips are included with sandwiches and salad at £5.95 and not used as an extra profit opportunity as is usual in most Peak tourist pubs. So take your choice, If you have a deep wallet and a slightly snobby disposition go to the other Eyre Arms at Hassop which does good food and drink in a genuine historical pub atmosphere. If you want a decent meal at a fair price come here, (although ale is around the same price as the...

Was extremely disappointed we booked this online arrived on time was seated and left for 10 minutes when the waitress came and took our drinks order then waited a further 30 minutes after which a member of our party went to find someone to take our food order - the staff members were stood at the bar on their phones and chatting…… the place wasn’t busy either …. other than our party of 3, there was one other table of 7 who also had to go looking for staff when they wanted condiments in the end they gave up as there dinners were getting cold …… 45 minutes later and food arrived…. Which was promptly send back as it was only lukewarm we paid extra for cauliflower cheese …. Don’t bother again lukewarm overcooked cauliflower and a powder taste no cheese in sight, absolutely swimming in gravy waitress came to ask how the food was and explained our concerns and disappointment to which she agreed. We didn’t eat the roast dinners however 1 person had the scampi and that was lovely we didn’t pay for the roast...

Some nice reviews, but I'm afraid we wont be eating there again. Having booked for 12.30 last Saturday we were the first to eat. Having chosen from our menu and ordering at the bar we were told "Sorry no mash for the sausage meal, we ran out last night and hes only just doing it" !! So we had to choose something else. I then waited 5 minutes whilst a bucket of ice was fetched from somewhere out back to complete my drink. When the meals arrived, after quite some time to say there were no others eating at that stage, a small tub of tartare sauce was presented between my wife and Father in Law. My wife inquired if she could have one as well, only to be told "I topped that one up". Pretty innocuous you could say, but the tone spoiled our meal and we couldn't wait to get out of there. My comments to you if you want to make a go of it is: Be prepared, Have your ice ready for when you open, don't be tight with the sauce, don;t have a member of staff leaning with her head in her hands at the end...