Battle of The Avenues
IS NEWLAND, PRINCES OR CHANTS THE BEST?
HULL’S Avenues are rightly lauded as one of the best places to live and dine out in the city, but which Avenue is the best?
It is a question worthy of a lengthy detailed debate in a bar, perhaps one in the Avenues. Hopefully, this article can serve as a starting off point for such a discussion as I give my own verdict, aided a little by tips from colleagues.
So which of Chanterlands Avenue, Newland and Princes Avenue, the three mainly non-residential Avenues, is the best? Read below to find out my thoughts and recommendations as each were pitted against each other across a range of categories.
To try to come to my own definitive conclusion, I judged the Avenues by a series of different categories, awarding one, two and three points for the three best places across Chants, Newland and Princes Avenues.
Best restaurant
This is a fiercely contested field. There are a wealth of dining options available in the Avenues, with virtually all tastes catered for, and all three Avenues offer up worthy contenders.
PRINCES AVENUE: Offers up perhaps the biggest range of choice and wins top spot and three points courtesy of The Persian, the number one Middle Eastern restaurant in Hull and fourthbest overall restaurant in the city according to Tripadvisor reviews. This restaurant offers a traditional meze and grill menu, including Ghormeh Sabzi, a lamb stew which is often considered a national dish of Iran. Three points.
CHANTERLAND AVENUE: Piccolo Bistro offers an exquisite taste of Italy, ranging from sea-bass to rigatoni. It is the sixth-best restaurant in Hull according to Tripadvisor and has a fivestar rating. Two points.
NEWLAND AVENUE: Another top-rated Italian restaurant is cosy, family-run favourite Gusto Da Gianni. On this occasion, it just gets pipped at the post, but if we’re being honest, any of these three fantastic venues could have come out on top. One point.
Best shop
CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: We love a community-based shop and Chanterlands DIY - complete with the legend, “A local shop for local people”, is just that. In an age of big-brand DIY chains, it’s a rare small, local survivor and a great example of the independent spirit of stores down Chants. Recently taken over by Mike and Nicky, they have set about continuing the legacy of popular previous owner Gary Clark. Three points.
PRINCES AVENUE: Prinny Ave has fewer independent stores than once upon a time, but Bob Greens is one of Hull’s very best fashion boutiques, offering designer menswear and footwear, with plenty of top brands in stock and regular sales. The perfect place to get kitted out before you hit the local bars. Two points.
NEWLAND AVENUE: There are a number of charity shops on Newland worth browsing in, including the Oxfam bookstore, but the pick of selection is No. 87 Vintage and Retro. This raises money for Dove House Hospice by selling vintage and retro items, including clothing. One point.
Best bar
NEWLAND AVENUE: Named after Hull’s famous poet, Larkin’s bar has a strong selection of craft beers, friendly staff, a great ambience and a lovely and very popular beer garden. Three points. PRINCES AVENUE: For a sports venue which also feels like a local for all, The Bowery does not let you down. Some of
the individual tables have their own TV screen, highlighting the sports focus of this bar, yet it also has a regular weekly disco night and when I have visited, has never felt particularly rowdy. Two points. CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: It’s fair to say Chants Avenue isn’t primarily known for its pub scene, but The Avenues is a popular and friendly traditional local, popular with sports fans in particular. One point.
Best atmosphere?
NEWLAND AVENUE: With an eclectic mix of bars, shops and hidden gems, appealing to students and locals alike, there’s always something new going on our opening up on Newland Avenue, and it’s also just a stone’s throw from famous music venue The Adelphi Club. Three points.
PRINCES AVENUE: Shifting from a relaxed café culture in the morning, to the din of packed restaurants and bars by evening, and with the pleasant surroundings of Pearson Park just a short walk away, it’s certainly never dull in Prinny Avenue. Two points. CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: Much quieter, with a pleasant atmosphere and a close-knit family feel, though restaurants such as Bengal Pride, Piccolo and Cognac are all popular evening spots. One point.
Hidden gem?
NEWLAND AVENUE: Chants has Spring Bank West Cemetery, Princes has Pearson Park, but were you aware of the community garden spaces just off Newland? There is Rosebery Community Garden and a small rooftop garden which Hull Community Church opened to the public in 2019. These well-kept secrets are relaxing environments, perfect to read your book while developing a tan, or drinking a flask of tea. Three points.
CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: The walk between Chanterlands and Princes Avenue along residential avenues and via St Ninians Walk can be stunning during spring and autumn. Two points. PRINCES AVENUE: Sandwiched between the Methodist church and Sainsbury’s, is No. 87. This is a small art gallery is open Thursday to Saturday, typically free to visit and regularly changes its exhibitions. It is well worth popping into. One point.
Unique feature
CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: The murals beneath the railway bridge, including a sea life scene, Hull City legend Dean Windass and a “never dull in ‘Ull” slogan, have quickly become iconic. Three points.
PRINCES AVENUE: Where Princes meets Spring Bank, there is a blue plaque on Pearsons Bar, Hull, marking an historic handover which took place at that spot in 1844. I do not want to spoil the surprise for those not aware of this feature, but a clue as to the exchange which took place is provided by the nearby named Polar Bear Music Club. Two points.
NEWLAND AVENUE: Completed in Summer 2021 is an eye-catching mural of a cod, fully formed and just made up of bones, on the side of a clothes shop. The piece, titled The Time Is Now, was painted by Manchester-based duo Nomad Clan, with a climate change message behind it. One point.
The Final Totals
NEWLAND AVENUE: 12 points.
PRINCES AVENUE: 12 points.
CHANTERLANDS AVENUE: 12 points.
Well, well, the Battle of the Avenues ends in a three-way tie! We just couldn’t split these three fantastic streets full of exceptional shops, restaurants and hidden gems.