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.
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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.

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.
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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 - 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.