- York Pub Reviews -

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  2-4 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1JJ
 

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 53 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF
 

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 23 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7DE
 

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 130-134 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX 

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 Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York YO1 9TT 

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  34 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF 

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  9 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN 

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   19 Bootham, York YO30 7BW 

Located just outside the city walls on the busy junction in front of Walmgate Bar The Rook & Gaskill is one of the best pubs in York.

Every day is a beer festival with their massive range of beers across cask, keg and can. Definitely something for everyone at this beer house including some fine international beers amongst the local brews.

Their food is top notch as well, great homemade pizzas and burgers, even a pizza burger!

There's always a warm welcome to this friendly pub and a convenient roofed beer garden out the back as well. Make sure you take the time to head out of the City to give them a go.

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 12 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3WP
 

   The Snickleway Inn is a wonderful historic pub situated on Goodramgate, York’s only example of a 15th Century Galleried Inn. The oldest sections of the pub were constructed around 1500 with additions throughout the centuries. It was used by Royalists during the siege of York in 1644 as a gunpowder store as well as being a brothel for some time but it was in the 18th Century that it came into its own as a public house.

Previously known as the Painter's Arms, the Square & Compasses, Mason's Arms, The Board, Joiners Arms and then The Anglers Arms, the letters of which can be seen inside. It was in 1994 that the pub finally settled on The Snickleway Inn, taking this from a term coined by Mark W. Jones's 1983 book 'A Walk Around the Snickelways of York', a Snickelway being an amalgamation of Snicket (the North Yorkshire world for an Alley) and Alleyway. Although it's spelt slightly differently to avoid any copyright issues, the word is pretty ingrained in the local York vocabulary now.

The interior is dominated by beautiful dark wood panelling, low beams and open brick. The galleried ceiling adding extra height and airiness to the main space which hosts the corner bar and a pleasing selection of six well-kept cask ales, all of which are averagely priced. To the edges of the room are more cosy little nooks to relax in, along with a couple of open fires. Towards the back is another quaint room which leads out to the reasonably well kept toilets and a little walled yard area with some alfresco seating. The Snickleway Inn has a very inviting atmosphere despite its history as one of the most haunted pubs in York and with frequent live music there's usually something to keep you entertained, even if that is just people watching through the large windows out onto the hustle and bustle of Goodramgate. For a traditional Inn that's steeped in history and retains a lot of its olde worlde charm without being tired or gentrified The Snickleway is a perfect example and well worth a visit.
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   47 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS  
 

  The Slip Inn is a nice traditional independent community local situated in the Clementhorpe area of York. Built in 1840 it is the last remaining building of what was once the Clementhorpe Shipyard, a beautiful stained glass window on the inner door depicts this.

It's a fairly open plan pub with spacious front and back room and a couple of little cosy side spaces. It has a plain and functional appearance but the most important aspect is the great range of 8 cask ales, all perfectly served and at a good price.

They have a large courtyard to the rear which is often used to host beer festivals and although the toilets are in an outbuilding they were very well kept.

If you're after a good old pub with plenty of quality beer, pub games and a friendly local feel then it's well worth venturing out of York's City Centre to visit the Slip.
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  20 Clementhorpe, York YO23 1AN
 

 A proper pub that goes above and beyond, The Swan is a traditional Victorian corner pub just outside the City Walls with one of the most well preserved 1930s interiors in the country. But it's not just the beautiful surroundings that make this one of the best pubs in York it's also their extensive beer range, loads of quality cask beers on but also a good range of keg. Who would have thought you'd get a DDH Pale, Tropical Stout and a Sour at such a traditional looking pub, and that was just a small section of their well kept and served range.
The pub has two cosy rooms and standing space in the corridor, where the main bar is located, and a large partially covered beer garden as well. An essential visit in York, we could have easily spent the whole day there.
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 16 Bishopgate Street, York YO23 1JH
 

   The Three-Legged Mare was one of York Brewery's last remaining pubs in the City until Black Sheep bought them out in 2019, although it was sad to see the slow demise of York Brewery Black Sheep did at least invest some cash into the Mare, giving this old school boozer a much needed renovation and it's still in good nick today.

The pub is named after the infamous three-legged gallows which are depicted on their sign and is affectionately known as the Wonky Donkey. It sits proudly on High Petergate between Bootham Bar and the Minster in a prime location.

It's a light airy modern space with fresh white walls and dark grey half height wood panelling throughout. The warm glow from Eddison style industrial wall lights softens the simple pallet and a tough wooden bar top. With bistro style tables in the entrance area and more standing room around the large bar to the right. The Three-Legged Mare has quite a peaceful ambience most of the time, contrasting to a livelier bustling environment in the evenings, often with live music. The smart and clean toilets are accessed from the entrance room down a wrought iron spiral staircase into the basement and there are accessible toilets to the back of the conservatory, which is bright and inviting during the day but a little stark later on. Beyond this there's a tiny little yard with a couple of seats which is shame as there's much more outside space that could be utilised.

The slight let-down on our last visit was the massive change on the bar, once upon a time there was a vast range of 10 casks and 10 kegs beers available, now the cask range is mostly just repeats of Black Sheep beers. Despite that the prices were pretty average and there were some more interesting beers on keg, so it's definitely still worth popping down to the Mare, just don't expect the once award winning range of beers under Black Sheep's management. 

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 15 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN
 

  It wouldn't be York without some Vikings roaming the streets. There was some trepidation when a Viking themed pub opened in 2017 but due to the incredible work by team Valhalla this was no naff theme pub. A simple shop was transformed with authenticity, eye for detail and quality design which has drawn lovers of those Norsemen to quaff the evenings away since. It was so popular that the whole building was converted in 2021 and even today it can sometimes be a bit hard to get in.

Spread over three floors with the main bar on the ground floor and a smaller one serving upstairs. Odin's Hall on the top floor is usually reserved for functions and events. They have a great range of four cask beers, three of which are brewed exclusively for them by the local Half Moon Brewery, a DDH IPA, Pale Ale and Dark Ruby Ale, all of which are excellent. There's usually a guest and plenty of choice on keg as well. If you feel like being a Viking for the evening you can even have some mead in a horn!

In a City jam packed with historical pubs Valhalla may technically be a new build but it has a unique character that really connects with the Viking City of Jorvik and is definitely an essential visit when you go a Viking. Sköl!

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 4 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB 

The Waggon & Horses is a traditional award winning multi-room pub just outside the City Walls in York. Famed for its good range of well-kept beers, there were 6 pumps on when we visited and we weren't disappointed. Oakham's Citra was fresh and delicious, alongside some locally brewed guests and Bateman's beers. Being under the same Landlord for the last 10 years he certainly runs a well-oiled Waggon.

The front room is flooded with natural light and has some cosy booths for watching the world go by. Off to the side is a small lounge with a Bar Billiards table and towards the back are another two rooms. One is more formal and traditional with a Dart Board but our favourite is directly behind the bar, a stunning atmospherically lit wood panelled space with bench seating, books and boardgames.

The Waggon also has a large beer garden yard to the rear, which is perfect for those sunny days, and with a decent capacity that means it’s a great spot for some alfresco drinking without the overcrowding of the pubs closer to the City centre. Another great friendly and welcoming York pub that's worth hunting out for fans of quality cask ales.

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 19 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3BP
 

Walmgate Ale House is a fairly modern bar and bistro which pays homage to the history of its building, harking back to 1795 when it was Ellerker’s, a business which once had the contract with York Castle to make nooses for the hangman. Everything is stripped back with beautiful open brickwork, beams, hanging lanterns, saddles and of course plenty of ropes; it looks new but totally authentic and very cosy.

There are two main rooms leading out to an oddly long corridor with the very well-kept toilets at the end. Upstairs is the bistro area, a rustic loft space reserved predominantly for dining and private parties. There's also a lovely little secret garden to the rear, a gravelled area with several benches set around a small tree, perfect for grabbing a few rays of sun. The bar had a good selection of 5 local real ales when we visited with 3 empty pump extra for possibly more. It's a great characterful pub and well worth a visit.

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 25 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX 

  The Shambles Tavern is the only pub on York's historic street and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was just another gift shop.

Don't be fooled though as this is a great little café styled tavern with a small bar to the front, a nice low beamed back room, upstairs space and an inventive beer garden under the cover of the Shambles Market. They can even close off the outside space in the evening for their regular live music. The Shambles Tavern is certainly more than meets the eye.

With a range of their own branded beers brewed by Rudgate and two guest pumps there's plenty of cask to go at even before you are tempted by the wall of cans behind the bar. Prices are a little higher than average but worth it for the unique location.

We had great friendly service and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed away from the hustle and bustle of the Shambles. This is one tavern that is definitely worth visiting. 

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 44 Shambles, York YO1 7LX
 

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  40 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS