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York Pubs and Bars

The reviews of pubs in York here are a joint effort by you, the general pub visiting public, and us, the York resudent owners of this site. Having been online since 2001, we must sincerely thank you for your continued support and contributions over the years. The pubs and bars in York really are some of the best in the country in my opinion.

The real ale / beer we brew here has a world renown reputation. If you like your tipple then come and stay for a few pints. When you visit the city why not stop to enjoy a drink and a meal on a public house tour of York that you will remember. If there is anything that you cant find please email us and we will see if we can help you.

Although we do tend to review the more traditional old pubs of the city, we also have included some wine bars and cocktail bars for you as well. What ever you fancy there is bound to be something here for you. Enjoy! Please don't forget to SEND US YOUR REVIEWS!

Our most recent Reviews:

Four star rating image The Minster Inn

Harry said this is a nice place to visit and he will beback when next in the city, Generally a quiet place with a small regular cliche of nice people generally.

Four star rating image Lighthorseman

This historic pub with rooms used to be the officers mess of the local calvery unit York. NOw it is a great local pub with rooms.

Three star rating image Hole in the Wall

Everywhere has a Hole in the Wall and York is no acception. Nice place, live music venue, good food, nice beer, nuff said!

Four star rating image Crystal Place Holgate Road

Natalie says she loves it! The pub that is.

Three star rating image The Artful Dodger on Micklegate

Pauline and Emma had a good cheap aromatic night here. Spooky reports recently have got me going back again for another look! Students love this late night bar because its cheap and free to get in.

Five star rating image The Brigantes

No music here. Simple good food, great beer, nice wines and a fabulous atmosphere. This is how a pub should be run!

Four star rating image The York Arms

Ted says they have a new management team here. Alan, who lives in York tells us the beer is cheap and the clientele friendly here.

Four star rating image The Black Swan

Elaine said she likes it so much she visit each time she comes back to York. Live music, good ale and good company. History may well come alive for you here while you are enjoying the present in this fine, old ale house.

Four star rating image Little John Inn

Joe sent a review in, well, more of a comment really, saying that this is NOT a gay freindly pub. Confused? So was I read on. Alex said it was a nice place at lunch time. After Little John responded to disappointed lesbian telling us she and her mates got turfed out before they got a drink.

Three star rating image The Snickleway Inn

Tim and Judy loved sitting next to the fire with a pint! Also, it is one of the most haunted York pubs!

Three star rating image The Royal Oak

Linda Jones was not best pleased when they closed the kitchen before deserts could be ordered. However, Chris Britten liked this lovely historic pub on Goodramgate.

Three star rating image Dusk

Late night venue in the middle of the city centre with no entry fee.

Three star rating image Old Star Inn

One of the, if not the most famous pubs in the city. If you walk along Stonegate you will not be able to miss the sign that runs right across the middle. Jon Parker likes the food, ale and atmosphere here.

Two star rating image Slug and Lettuce

This is part of a large, well known chain of "gasto" pubs. Usually one would expect good food and service. That is not what happened for Willum.

Four star rating image The Blue Bell Inn

This is one of the classic old public houses in the city. Small rooms full most of the time good beer with pleasant staff and punters alike. Tina Williamson says she thinks it is York's finest.

Four star rating image The Bay Horse Marygate

Dawn Brown went in on a weekend and was most impressed at a good old pub with a modern warm welcome.

Three star rating image Judges Lodgings

Awarded Pub of the Season from CAMRA York!

Three star rating image The Masons Arms

Heather Keith told us how much she liked this pub. She will be sure to return when she is back in the city.

Three star rating image Micklegate Run Pub Crawl

Kevin Ireson tells us about the most famous of the many pub crawls in York.

Three star rating image The Priory Micklegate

Ricky sent us in what he thought of this Micklegate pub. Good real ale is available.

Three star rating image The Bootham Tavern

Located just outside Bootham Bar. It is a good place to meet up and start a good night out in York.

Three star rating image The Golden Slipper

Patricia Evans sent in some stuff about what having a drink in the Slipper is like.

Four star rating image O'Neils Irish Bar

2 visitors to our fair city sent us in this look at an Irish Theme pub. Thanks, if you visit any other places when you come back let us know.

Four star rating image Kennedys Cafe Bar

Jim Astbury sent us this detailed review of good cafe bar.

Three star rating image The Seahorse Hotel

A personal review by Gary Hingley.

Three star rating image The Maltings

Small real ale pub with loads of beer on tap. They do a good beer festival from time to time, if you can get in when there are like 20 barrels of beer in the front room. Shaun the landlord nice guy. Says hello even if you haven't been in for 2 years.

Now Closed

Three star rating image The Junction Leeman Road

Good ale music and Sunday Lunch here. Unfortuanatly bulldozed to the ground in early 2011.

Four star rating image Gibsons York

Unfortunate times befell this bar. Such a shame as when it changed hands origionally the energy of the staff and owner made the place glow with happyness. So farewell to a good cheap cocktail night on the tiles thaty was available here. Tended to be young students but, a few of us older gits got in here too. (formally Monteys Rock Cafe)

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Acknowledgements for these articles go to the many visitors who have sent in reviews since 2001. Many thanks. Also to Kevin Ireson for his many years of service independently promoting the city of York with this site. Also to the team of hard working historians at Environment and Conservation Dept of York City Council.

365 Pubs in York - The Changing Face of Public Houses

Many years ago there were said to be one pub in York for each day of the year. Today this is not quite true. In fact what public houses are has changed and how they are used in the city has also changed. There are still a good few local pubs tucked away in the city that are used as local community centres, but for many years it is this sort of pub that has been disappearing. My personal view as to why this is includes a number of reasons.

Firstly many local pubs in the pre and post war eras were a community centre for the entire family. For some families a regular visit used to occur on a Sunday before Sunday lunch was served. All legal age patrons would come for a couple of beverages while younger members and children came along and were asked to be seen and not heard. Local people would meet up with others in the community for a chat about what was happening in the community.

Then, for those who wanted not to be scolded for being late and liked a hot fresh cooked meal, the drinks would be finished and the walk home would occur. Then everyone could sit down at the table and eat together. This does not happen as much as it used to both at the pub and in the home.

Secondly in able to survive younger people not using pubs like the older generations used to pubs have had to adapt. Years back local teams based in pubs used to play football, dominoes, darts, pool and other games together. Younger people seem to have different pastimes today. Mostly involving playing video games with people around the world, rather than playing with other locals. So to get more customers in the public house has become more of a multifaceted business. This adapting has meant many pubs also provide food today. Which can be a good thing, depending on the quality of the food of course.

Thirdly years back pubs were possibly one the best looking places in the area inside, with very pleasant decor and comfortable seating in the lounge areas. Now although times have changed, not everyone else could afford to decorate and furnish their own houses to this sort of level in the past. So the ambiance of the pub was something to look forward to. Today, comfort in the home is a must for most and to really feel like a posh pub would cost an absolute fortune. Although many are still nice inside, they are not the Ritz. This is in my opinion what they may have been relative to peoples own homes in days gone by.