Pavement Vaults (York)

The Pavement Vaults is located in the old coaching inn once known as The White Swan Hotel, built in 1912 in the mock Tudor style it had previously been left derelict for nearly three decades until Pivovar came along in 2015 and brought the building back to life as a poplar pub and Smokehouse BBQ restaurant.

A recent refurbishment in 2024 made some slight adjustments to the layout making the space flow more efficiently and spruced up the retro inspired industrial chic interior. The main bar is a long L shape with stools by the shop front style windows opposite, which open fully out in Summer. The space is zoned into distinct seating areas, as you would expect from a bar in which the focus is food as well as beer. The vintage industrial feel mixed with contemporary dark grey wood cladding, metro tiles, open brickwork and a very impressive silver pressed ceiling. It’s a light and airy bar that rarely seems to be quiet, a constant stream of hustle and bustle which is understandable as with 6 cask ales and 10 keg lines, all of which show a good range of beer styles albeit at a premium cost.

Below ground level is accessed by a staircase at one side descending into a more cosy and tranquil low lit area which has a line of leather clad booths and a Parisian style illuminated 'Vaults' sign. The toilets are down here too in the belly of the building; with their very own cellar-like arches you can see why they chose the old name of a long gone Cameron’s pub from across the road.

The Pavement Vaults is another decent pub in York's arsenal, although it can get overwhelmingly busy with its prime location. If you don't mind paying a bit more for your beer there'll always be something worth supping and it's a good spot to wait for the local buses as well with the stop being just outside.