Here you can read all our mini-reviews for the pubs we have visited, initially shared across Social Media. Our scoring system is out of 5, 5 being the best.
Press the 'More Photos' button to see the full set of images for each pub over on Instagram.
More reviews are added regularly so check back soon.
Situated in the trendy area of Bishopthorpe Road, the Angel on the Green is a modern café bar and Pizzeria that started life as a Bicycle shop, in fact part of it remains servicing cycles and it can be a bit of a random surprise to see the shop entrance when visiting the facilities.
It's a light, bright and airy space with a small bar to the front and two larger rooms with ample seating to the back. With 4 regularly changing local cask ales there's plenty of range to keep you occupied long enough to decide that those pizzas look pretty appetising.
They have regular live entertainment from musicians and DJs as well as art exhibitions, it all has a very cool boho vibe. If you like a relaxed and friendly community bar then the Angel on the Green is worth a visit, especially if you also need your bike fixing.
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2-4 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1JJ
York's smallest pub is always at the top of our list on visits to the City. Expertly run with amazingly well kept beer and with their own recipe IPA from Brass Castle.
A rare grade II* listed Edwardian Interior just whisks you back in time with just two cosy rooms and a little corridor. The main bar at the front with serving hatches to the side and rear. A true friendly local at the heart of the city.
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53 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF
The Black Swan is an oasis of history within a quite contemporary developed area of York just outside the City Centre. A stunning 15th Century timber framed building with 16th and 17th Century extensions making this pub a wonderful warren of beautifully panelled rooms. With low ceilings, beams and even in the main room, a huge inglenook fireplace that is frequently lit.
If you really want the historic experience in York then The Black Swan really is the perfect place for you.
It's only let down slightly by its rather static beer offering but at least there's always some decent staples like Vocation, Timothy Taylors and Theakson's OP is always on the bar.
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23 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7DE
No matter where you currently stand on the Brewdog empire it can't be denied that they still make a decent beer and have some great bars.
York's offering is a shabby chic affair with a rundown urban vibe which is a big juxtaposition from pretty much all other York Pubs. For some it's a welcome change but it's not always to everyone's liking.
As expected from Brewdog there's a huge range of beers at the slightly more pricey end of the spectrum. A packed fridge for takeaways alongside some pretty decent pizzas and some retro arcade games. What more could you want?
The bar is spread over several rooms with booths by the main bar, it's easy to get settled in for the long run once you have a table, especially with beer range available. Brewdog York is certainly worth visiting when in the City.
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130-134 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX
Just off Walmgate hidden away on a small unassuming industrial estate is the warehouse that once housed the construction of the rides for the Yorvik Viking Centre and an adjoining Victorian Maltings. The first of which became the first home for Brew York in 2016 with a later conversion of the Maltings into their first floor Beer Hall in 2018. Since opening the Brewery has gone from strength to strength, expanding production to Handley Tap in Osbaldwick and opening several other bars, but the Walmgate site was their first home and they still brew there to supply the site.
For a unique experience in York you can't go wrong with either the Tap or Beer Hall. The original Tap Room is within the Brewery and the big stainless steel vessels are on show for everyone to see. This bar has mainly their standard session cask beers available and access out to a lovely little riverside beer yard as well as the much larger Brewer's Yard out the front which was opened during the pandemic.
The old Maltings has a shop downstairs and the trendy Bavarian styled Beer Hall on the first floor, there's no public lift up there though unfortunately. It's a large lively hall with a massive bar at the end, serving up to 40 different beers at times. In the corner is the highly recommended Yuzu Street Food vendor which will keep you fed while Brew York do the watering.
There's so much to say about this amazing asset to York beer scene that I'm risking going way over my concise review length, so let's just say that for me Brew York will always be an essential visit when in York.
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Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York YO1 9TT
A sure-fire prime craft destination in York is the exquisitely renovated Georgian craft beer mansion of Trembles Lendal. Winner of the York Restoration Design Awards in 2018.
Spread over three luxurious floors with a bistro style café on the ground floor, the main bar area is upstairs with several stunningly decorated side rooms. Each is finely presented in the grand Georgian style but with that quirky Madness shining through with a smattering of taxidermy and quite disturbing renaissance gothic artworks of several levels of debauchery. Naked woman kissing a goose? Man eating a baby, it's all here. Despite the pictures they are actually family and dog friendly.
The facilities are up another level, I don't usually include photos of the toilets but these are some of the grandest pub toilets you'll ever visit, worth all the stairs to get there.
But what we've really come here for is the amazing range of craft beers, usually over 12 keg line split between the floors and 3 cask offerings. If you want a wide range of beer styles from all over the country and Europe, there are always a good few classic Belgians on, then this really is the place to be. It's not the cheapest place by far but it's certainly worth it to us. With this awesome range and their top quality food you really could spend an entire weekend just at Trembles. Don't go to York without visiting or you'll regret it!
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14 Lendal, York YO1 8AA
The Maltings is a real highlight of all the pubs in York, consistently serving a superb range of local cask and craft beer for the past 32 years with Shaun and Maxine at the helm. Despite the fact that they are currently looking to sell the pub and retire it's certainly worth reviewing as every visit in its current form is cherished.
Strict ground rules in the pub keep the riff raff away so they can leave angry Trip Advisor reviews instead and leaves a nice welcoming and safe space for the rest of us.
With it quirky Breweriana, door fronted bar and plenty of cosy corners to get settled in it's a proper traditional pub but with a range of beers that would make other publicans blush. The Dragons Pantry also serves a chilli that allegedly is so hot someone once went deaf (not fact checked).
So as long as you're not in a big group, have kids, spontaneously swear and sing a lot or are just on the hunt for a mass produced generic lager, then a visit to The Maltings is heartily reccomended. Leeds United supporters preferred but not essentail.
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Tanner's Moat, York YO1 6HU
The Mason's Arms is a fine looking 1930's Gothic revival mock Tudor pub which retains many of these characteristics, including a reclaimed Victorian fireplace. It's let down mostly by its bland beer offerings which weren't the best kept casks.
It would seem it is more of a food destination pub.
They do have good extensive outside seating with a nice view of the Foss Basin Moorings though.
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6 Fishergate, York YO10 4AB
Stunning Edwardian pub with bags of character and great service. Always a few good beers on, we had a couple from Acorn Brewery and Beavertown.
The pizzas are superb! 🍕
It's very easy to lose a few hours in one of the cosy little rooms or the covered yard, also of note is that their outside toilets are immaculate. It's a great run pub all around and one of our favourites to visit in York.
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24 Marygate, York YO30 7BH
It's nice to see the old Thomas's of York brought back to life as the Museum Street Tavern. It's been stripped right back and returned to a traditional pub which is clean and smart, although lacking a little character.
The beer selection was rather generic and a little disappointing but there was at least some decent beer on. The food looked nice though and it was a peaceful spot to pop in for a pint.
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3 Museum Street, York YO1 7DT
North South is a cool little café bar close to Bootham Bar. Simple, smart and modern with a decent selection of cans and a couple of draught lines. A friendly place with table service that's certainly worth checking out.
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25 Bootham, York YO30 7BW
The Phoenix Inn is a traditional 1830s Victorian built pub tucked up next to the city walls by Fishergate Bar. With a warm and cosy 19th century interior layout it's the perfect place to while away the hours in its relaxed and peacefully ambience. Helped by the always great range of locally produced cask beers, frequent live music and a wonderful little yard to the rear from which you can watch the sun set behind the York Walls in the warmer months. One of our firm favourites in York.
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75 George Street, York YO1 9PT
Pivní was one of the first craft beer pioneers in York, serving a wide range of world beers, cask and craft since 2007. They continue to keep up a quality selection to this day but expect city centre prices.
Located in a stunning timber framed building dating back to the 1600s with the ground floor hosting the jam-packed bar it can be overwhelmingly busy in the narrow space at times but thankfully the bar is spread out over three floors. Head up the rickety stairs to a wider and lighter timber beam dominated space with some cosy booths and jukebox or find the third floor which has even more wood, almost reminiscent of a Bavarian hunting lodge.
If you can find somewhere to sit on a busy day Pivní has the power to whisk you back in time and away from the hustle and bustle of the streets below. Just bare in mind that access is pretty limited due to the age of the building. Definitely worth a stop off if you're in York.
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6 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB
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 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
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 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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