The pub is located in what was formerly known as the Sutter, or Zum Anker, Café. The space underwent a major transformation on its way to becoming the pub. Carpet was removed to reveal well-preserved wood floors. The gas-burning fireplace is a perfect fit with the pub atmosphere and will provide some cheery warmth as temperatures cool this fall.

Paul says the pub is as authentic as he could have made it – right down to a weathered Bulls Head sign that came from an actual English pub, as well as an antique back bar that originated in England. The sign, which was owned by one of Paul’s English friends, inspired the name of the pub. “Paul’s friend gave him the sign. So, we took the name from that – it wasn’t a case of us coming up with a name and trying to find a vintage sign,” explains General Manager Ninette Petrasch-Mohr.

Like the sign, the back bar has its own story. It had been in a pub in England, but made its way to a hotel in New York City, after which it was used in a speakeasy in Staten Island before making its way to the Wharf Rat in Baltimore and finally, to Lititz.

The pub has seating for 47, with 10 more at the bar. Guests are welcome to come in, take a seat and visit with other patrons or the staff. “English pubs are about communication,” Ninette explains. “There are no reservations, so guests can take an open table or, if there are one or two people seated at a larger table, they can join those who are already seated.”

The Bulls Head also observes the English pub tradition of not having table service. “People do get confused since there is no table service. Instead, they place their orders at the bar,” she adds. “Real British pubs generally don’t have waitress service by design,” Paul elaborates. “A public house is all about community. If you have to physically get up to go order food and drink at the bar, it’s more likely that you’ll meet someone or run into someone you know and start a conversation. A pub is very alive.”

The menu is displayed on the chalkboard by the bar. When guests place their orders, they’re given wooden spoons. The number on the bowl of the spoon corresponds to the order number. The guest then returns to his or her table and places the wooden spoon (bowl up) in the condiment caddy. The kitchen prepares the order and when it’s ready, a runner brings it to the table.

The menu features such pub staples as bangers & mash, fish & chips, chicken pie, shepherd’s pie and pork pie (traditionally served cold, but it can be warmed up). There’s also Scotch Egg, a traditional pub item that’s become a Bulls Head specialty – a de-shelled, hardboiled egg is wrapped in a sausage patty and then breaded and fried. Scotch Egg, which is prepared on the premises, is commonly eaten cold, but it may be served warm on request. The Bulls Head also offers a variety of sandwiches that are made to order.

The Bulls Head features 14 different beers, as well as two cask beers, on tap. The selection changes frequently in order to ensure variety. Seventy bottled beers from around the world are also featured. The beer list includes information about the size of the bottle, style of the beer and alcohol by volume. “We rotate the beers so that we can offer a variety. Some beers are only produced seasonally and we want to take advantage of that, as well as offer some beer from local microbreweries,” Ninette notes. “We also want to encourage people to try something different.”

Paul is an expert on beer and brings 13 years of experience with cask-conditioned ales to the Bulls Head. (Cask ales are served without added carbonation from the keg system.) He dispels the misconception that the ales are served warm – ideally, they’re served between 54 and 56 degrees; the beer is cool, but not chilled like keg beers.

Having been open for six months, Paul and Ninette are pleased by the reception the Bulls Head has received. “People have told me that this is what Lititz has needed,” Ninette says. To keep things interesting, the two are considering offering a Quiz Night later this fall. Ninette explains that pub-style Quiz Nights are similar to Trivia Nights, but can have different formats and be single or team competitions. “The whole idea is to come out and have fun,” she says.

The Bulls Head is located at 14 East Main Street, Lititz. Hours are Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Monday, 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight. Call 626-2115 or visit www.bullsheadpublichouse.com.