Review - The Golden Ball ****
New review now online, here’s the summary:
Situated a short walk out of the center and into a more residential area of York, The Golden Ball is worth the little extra distance to reach. A classic example of a Victorian corner pub it retains the original late 1800s layout with a tap room, snug and sports room as well as a very pleasant little courtyard. This is a community pub at heart, especially as it is co-op run by a group of locals who recently took over the tenancy after the previous landlords retired. It has a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere and a good selection of real ales at average prices. The décor is a little old and tired, but this really just adds to the traditional feel. Don’t be scared to head out of the centre’s comfort zone to give this wonderful pub a try.
For further details and full scores see the main page.
Review - Yates’s **
New review now online, here’s the summary:
Now don’t get me wrong, during the days Yates’s is a reasonably pleasant venue with a wonderful riverside location and standard generic pub chain décor. It’s very cheap too and does a good selection of pub grub which with their spacious interior is great for a bit of lunch with the family. It’s just as evening approaches that the rough, rude and occasionally violet clientèle begin to swarm in to buy buckets of crap cheap cocktails and swill generic larger. It’s this that really drags Yates’s down, especially with it being so visible on Ouse Bridge and with a chain reputation it attracts lots of booze tourists, hen/stag parties and race-goers, not really the place you’d want to visit on a night out and there’s little reason to with regards to beer choice and quality. Although riverside they don’t actually have any outdoor space at that side of the building either, just a large but pretty unattractive courtyard to the rear.
For further details and full scores see the main page.
Review - The Last Drop Inn **
New review now online, here’s the summary:
If you could brew the essence of a drinking pub then I think the Last Drop Inn fits the bill perfectly, even with the pun-like name, this is strictly a drinkers pub, no music, no children, don’t sit in my chair! Surprisingly though the Last Drop is actually a pretty friendly place and doesn’t have that much of an old man vibe about it. They do have a good selection of real ales especially York Brewery ones, what with it being one of their pubs. It’s all reasonably enough priced too, but what seems to be lacking is pretty much everything else. It’s a sparse, brightly lit small venue that does have a bit of a village hall atmosphere, wooden floors, old pics and breweriana, mismatched furniture and beer barrels for tables. Only partially accessible due to the steps up to the bar and the toilets on the second floor, which incidentally are not very pleasant. They do have an outside area, the tiniest courtyard you’ve ever seen, which seems a waste of time really. I don’t want to sound too down on the place, as with regards to beer it does a fabulous job, just a very basic one.
For further details and full scores see the main page.
Review - Brigantes ****
Old review, new photo, lets recap the summary:
Brigantes has won many awards and rightly so, this is a superb classic ale house with fresh airy Victorian styling, a simple bar with a massive amount of choice and at a reasonable price. It has a very nice atmosphere and looks to be adding a well needed bit of quality to Micklegate. No beer garden though, which is a shame. As a beer lovers pub you couldn’t get much better than this.
For further details and full scores see the main page.
Review - The Ackhorne ****
Old review, new photo, lets recap the summary:
Another one of York’s hidden gems this is a beautifully quaint 18th Century pub that is down a very dark and spooky alley just off the main run of Micklegate, definitely not a street where you’d expect such a nice traditional real ale type pub, yet away from the bustle of the main street you could almost feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Prices are very reasonable and there’s a very well stocked bar and even a pleasant little courtyard area. It would seem the Ackhorne has just want you want for a peaceful and friendly drink in a wonderfully historic setting, if you can excuse some prying eyes of the locals to new faces, they’re all friendly enough in the end.
For further details and full scores see the main page.
