Review - The Spread Eagle **** New review now online, here’s the summary: The Spread Eagle down the bottom of Walmgate may be in a less visited area of town but is another fine example of a friendly local that’s welcoming to visitors. A traditional pub with a large floor area, wood paneling and a reasonably well stocked bar with good prices. They frequently have live entertainment and other community based events. To the rear is a great medium sized yard area where part of the old outbuildings have also been opened up as sheltered seating, so great for the English Summer. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. For further details and full scores see the main page.
Pop-upView Separately

Review - The Spread Eagle ****

New review now online, here’s the summary:

The Spread Eagle down the bottom of Walmgate may be in a less visited area of town but is another fine example of a friendly local that’s welcoming to visitors. A traditional pub with a large floor area, wood paneling and a reasonably well stocked bar with good prices. They frequently have live entertainment and other community based events. To the rear is a great medium sized yard area where part of the old outbuildings have also been opened up as sheltered seating, so great for the English Summer. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

For further details and full scores see the main page.

Review - Roman Bath *** New review now online, here’s the summary: The Roman Bath is a strange pub as it’s also a museum with it being located upon the remains of a Roman bathhouse, hence the name. It’s a pretty straightforward pub inside though just with the random addition of roman artifacts here and there which cheer the place up somewhat. Mainly it has a reputation as a live music venue and it was packed out when we visited with a good rock band on, the crowd was of the older persuasion but friendly enough. Considering how busy the place can get we were very disappointed by the poor selection of beer on offer, the quality wasn’t great either, although it was pretty cheap. The toilets were a bit of shabby state too. There is high praise for their small walled courtyard area though as not only do they make great use of the space with plenty of seating, heating and covers there is a hatch straight through the wall for bar service, genius idea. All in all not a bad pub if you’re after some live music but the poor beer lets it down somewhat. For further details and full scores see the main page.
Pop-upView Separately

Review - Roman Bath ***

New review now online, here’s the summary:

The Roman Bath is a strange pub as it’s also a museum with it being located upon the remains of a Roman bathhouse, hence the name. It’s a pretty straightforward pub inside though just with the random addition of roman artifacts here and there which cheer the place up somewhat. Mainly it has a reputation as a live music venue and it was packed out when we visited with a good rock band on, the crowd was of the older persuasion but friendly enough. Considering how busy the place can get we were very disappointed by the poor selection of beer on offer, the quality wasn’t great either, although it was pretty cheap. The toilets were a bit of shabby state too. There is high praise for their small walled courtyard area though as not only do they make great use of the space with plenty of seating, heating and covers there is a hatch straight through the wall for bar service, genius idea. All in all not a bad pub if you’re after some live music but the poor beer lets it down somewhat.

For further details and full scores see the main page.

Review - The Hansom Cab **** New review now online, here’s the summary: Named after the famous York architect Joseph Hansom who designed and patented the Hansom Cab in 1834, this Sam Smith’s pub is a real surprise. From the exterior it may come across as a bit of an intimidating small pub especially with its odd location down one of the central side streets, but upon entering you are greeted with a beautifully classic Victorian style decor. Dark oak panels, green leather chairs, gleaming brass and frosty etched glasswork in a very spacious area. The clientele is deceptive too, this is not just the haunt of the grumpy old man there’s a wide range of people enjoying the good range of Sam’s beers at the cheapest prices you’ll find anywhere in York, other than another Sam’s pub that is. Obviously this is strictly a real ale style pub, no music or entertainment and definitely no kids, their focus is a friendly local pub that serves lots of quality cheap beer in a relaxed environment. There’s no outside area and the toilets would only really be classed as functional but the Hansom Cab is a welcome change from similar pubs which are usually grubby and uninviting, which is why even though scoring zero in several categories we are still awarding it a 4/5, we’ll definitely be back. For further details and full scores see the main page.
Pop-upView Separately

Review - The Hansom Cab ****

New review now online, here’s the summary:

Named after the famous York architect Joseph Hansom who designed and patented the Hansom Cab in 1834, this Sam Smith’s pub is a real surprise. From the exterior it may come across as a bit of an intimidating small pub especially with its odd location down one of the central side streets, but upon entering you are greeted with a beautifully classic Victorian style decor. Dark oak panels, green leather chairs, gleaming brass and frosty etched glasswork in a very spacious area. The clientele is deceptive too, this is not just the haunt of the grumpy old man there’s a wide range of people enjoying the good range of Sam’s beers at the cheapest prices you’ll find anywhere in York, other than another Sam’s pub that is. Obviously this is strictly a real ale style pub, no music or entertainment and definitely no kids, their focus is a friendly local pub that serves lots of quality cheap beer in a relaxed environment. There’s no outside area and the toilets would only really be classed as functional but the Hansom Cab is a welcome change from similar pubs which are usually grubby and uninviting, which is why even though scoring zero in several categories we are still awarding it a 4/5, we’ll definitely be back.

For further details and full scores see the main page.

Keeping Up to Date

As you all may be aware we like to keep things nice and fresh at Within the Walls, revisiting pubs after refurbishments or management changes and generally working our way round the centre of York in an attempt to keep all our reviews updated. In this vein we’ve now added a review date to all reviews so if we haven’t yet managed to revisit or you think our review is a bit out of touch then we shall endeavour to revisit the venue when we get a chance. 

Some people ask what we will do once all the pubs are reviewed, and of course the simple answer is, they never will… there’ll always be revisits due in the time it takes us to cover all the 80+ pubs and bars. I can think of worse ways to spend our free time, haha.

Review - The Black Swan Inn **** New review now online, here’s the summary: A short distance from the hustle and bustle of York centre The Black Swan Inn stands proudly on Peasholme Green an impressive 15th Century timber framed building. Within you can see 16th and 17th Century extensions making this pub a wonderful warren of beautifully panelled rooms, with low ceilings, beams and even in the back room a huge open fire that is frequently lit. If you really want the historic experience in York then The Black Swan Inn really is the perfect place for it. There are two rooms serviced with the main bar which has a good selection of real ales at average city centre prices and a cosy restaurant area too. Out the back they have a covered smoking area and a large summer patio, a car park might not be the best view in town but it’s a good sized outdoor area. When we visited they were also in the process of doing some building works out the back, we’re not sure what it will be so a revisit in summer will definitely be on the cards. It was near to the toilets so maybe some improvement there as they were pretty small and of average condition. In regards to entertainment their large first floor rooms often play host to live bands, in fact myself and my partner met there 5 years ago. All round this is a wonderful pub offering plenty, easily accessible for a building of its age, stunning architecture and interiors, great beer and a friendly olde worlde atmosphere. Just look out for the ghosts. For further details and full scores see the main page.
Pop-upView Separately

Review - The Black Swan Inn ****

New review now online, here’s the summary:

A short distance from the hustle and bustle of York centre The Black Swan Inn stands proudly on Peasholme Green an impressive 15th Century timber framed building. Within you can see 16th and 17th Century extensions making this pub a wonderful warren of beautifully panelled rooms, with low ceilings, beams and even in the back room a huge open fire that is frequently lit. If you really want the historic experience in York then The Black Swan Inn really is the perfect place for it. There are two rooms serviced with the main bar which has a good selection of real ales at average city centre prices and a cosy restaurant area too. Out the back they have a covered smoking area and a large summer patio, a car park might not be the best view in town but it’s a good sized outdoor area. When we visited they were also in the process of doing some building works out the back, we’re not sure what it will be so a revisit in summer will definitely be on the cards. It was near to the toilets so maybe some improvement there as they were pretty small and of average condition. In regards to entertainment their large first floor rooms often play host to live bands, in fact myself and my partner met there 5 years ago. All round this is a wonderful pub offering plenty, easily accessible for a building of its age, stunning architecture and interiors, great beer and a friendly olde worlde atmosphere. Just look out for the ghosts.

For further details and full scores see the main page.