The Best Pubs York has to Offer
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This brilliant city is the perfect place to celebrate the last night of freedom, so take a look at our list of the best pubs in York we’ve put together for you here!
Dating back to Roman times, York is a fantastic place to bring the lads for a celebration like no other. With narrow, winding streets packed full of impressive places to drink and party, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider having your last night of freedom in this city. With all that being said, have a look at all the best pubs in York we could find.
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1. Guy Fawkes Inn
Situated within the former home of the man himself, the Guy Fawkes Inn can be found on the doorstep of York Minster, nestled amongst the medieval streets this city is world-famous for. Inside, this York pub is tastefully decorated to give it a modern vibe whilst maintaining its original, old-world atmosphere. Inside, this place serves up some amazing pub grub as well as some great beers at the bar, particularly from the fantastic Black Sheep Brewery. If you're not a big fan of fireworks, then this place is well worth visiting on Bonfire Night, as an old law dictates that any property formerly owned by Fawkes is banned from celebrating on November 5th!
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2. Shambles Tavern
Situated at the top end of The Shambles, York’s historic Medieval shopping street, you’ll find the Shambles Tavern. With a quaint and cosy bar area inside as you walk in, this ancient York pub boasts a charming old-world atmosphere with stripped back furniture and low, wood-beamed ceilings throughout. Stocking over 120 locally-sourced beers and ales, it’s a great place to experience all the best beers this county has to offer.
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3. Duke of York
Overlooking King’s Square in the heart of the city centre, the Duke of York pub is a brilliant place to grab a few drinks whilst enjoying a charming, laid-back atmosphere. With a large pub grub menu serving a host of classic comfort food, this York pub is also known for its constant rotation of cask ales, stocking all kinds of beers from around the area and the rest of the UK. With plenty of old-world charm inside, this place makes for a great place to stop off for a few pints.
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4. Royal Oak York
Just a stones’ throw away from York Minster on the historic Goodramgate you’ll find the Royal Oak York, a 17th century inn that offers some amazing pub food, live music and a regular pub quiz. Inside, this place is decorated with tasteful and modern furniture that blends well with the old-world vibe of the building. With a lovely beer garden to the back of the venue and an open fire that’s lit during the winter months, there’s never a bad time to stop off here for a few pints and some delicious pub grub.
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5. The Keystones
Priding itself on being the “Best Student Pub in York”, The Keystones can be found right next to the York City Walls & park on the edge of the city centre. Open ‘til midnight most nights of the week and staying open ‘til the early hours on weekends, this York pub makes for a brilliant place to enjoy a few pints and a lively atmosphere. With screens around the venue showing all kinds of live sports, this place also boasts a quaint beer garden and a pool table inside.
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6. The Cross Keys
A cosy and modern York pub, The Cross Keys makes for a brilliant place to enjoy a night out in the city if you’re looking for a classic pub experience. Situated at the corner of Goodramgate and Deangate, this Victorian-era York pub offers great pub food with a seasonally-changing menu as well as tonnes of cask ales behind the bar from local and national breweries alike. Open all day throughout the week and staying open a little later on the weekends, there’s never a bad time to pass by The Cross Keys for a few drinks.
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7. Golden Lion
A long-standing York pub that’s been a favourite in the city since it gained its first license in 1711, The Golden Lion York is a classic British pub with all the trappings you should expect to find; whether its pints of beer and cask ales behind the bar, pub grub like fish & chips or a lively atmosphere, this place has it all. If you’re looking to catch live sports here, you’re in luck as this York pub has both Sky Sports and BT Sports licenses, showing on screens across the venue. With free WiFi for punters and a nice beer garden out back, The Golden Lion is always worth considering for a York night out.
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8. The Old White Swan York
A long-standing and iconic York pub that’s stood in the city for well over 300 years, The Old White Swan is most famous for its association with the paranormal! Situated on the lower end of Goodramgate, this York pub even exhibited one of the tallest men in human history Patrick Cotter O’Brien, famously known as the “Bristol Giant”. These days, you might not find anyone over 8ft inside, but what you will find is a great selection of cask ales and beers from some of the best breweries in the county.
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9. Golden Fleece
Claiming to be the oldest licensed pub in York, the Golden Fleece dates back to the early 1500s and is known for its crooked old-world charm and stripped back décor. If you’re a fan of the supernatural, then you’ll definitely want to stop by here as it also claims to be the “most haunted” pub in York too with five discernibly different ghosts lurking its bar and hallways. To the back of this York pub you’ll find a fantastic beer garden that’s half-open and half-covered, making it perfect for enjoying a pint in all weathers.
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10. The Hop York
A unique York pub that harks back to the Victorian Era, The Hop York is a fantastic place to stop off on a night out in the city. Inside, this York pub boasts an ornate wooden bar, long leather bench seats and tiled-brick walls throughout. The main bar area, with its glass apex roof, makes an amazing space especially when the pub gets packed, offering tonnes of space to get sat down and chat with your mates. Specialising in craft ales and mouth-watering pizza, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider stopping off at The Hop!
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11. Blue Boar
Another famously historic York pub that can be found right in the heart of the city, the Blue Boar York has been in the city since the Medieval period and was even a favourite haunt for royalist forces preparing for the Siege of York. Situated a short walk away from York Castle, this pub offers a brilliant food menu as well as popular pints we all know and love. Inside, this cosy York pub retains its old-world charm and makes for a brilliant place to enjoy a few pints away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
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12. The Lowther
Overlooking the River Ouse that runs through this ancient city, The Lowther boasts a large and spacious beer terrace along the riverside, perfect for enjoying a few beers on a sunny day. With a great pub grub menu and plenty of deals on drinks, this York pub also stays open much later than most in the area, open past midnight every day of the week. Inside, this place is both modern and spacious with a long bar and plenty of booths and tables to get sat down. If you’re looking to catch some live sports as well, they also show plenty here on their TV screens.
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13. The Watergate Inn
Another famously historic York pub that can be found right in the heart of the city, the Blue Boar York has been in the city since the Medieval period and was even a favourite haunt for royalist forces preparing for the Siege of York. Situated a short walk away from York Castle, this pub offers a brilliant food menu as well as popular pints we all know and love. Inside, this cosy York pub retains its old-world charm and makes for a brilliant place to enjoy a few pints away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
.jpg "The Tank & Paddle - Best Pubs in York")
14. Tank & Paddle York
A bright and modern York pub that overlooks the Ouse Bridge in the city centre, The Tank & Paddle York is a lively and popular place to enjoy a bite to eat and a few drinks. A favourite for the city’s student population, this place is best known for its great deals on cocktails as well as classic pub grub like burgers and pizzas. With plenty of space to get sat down inside, it’s always worth stopping off here on the weekend when they stay open past midnight and makes for a great place to enjoy on a big night out in York.
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15. The Phoenix Inn York
Another fiercely independent York pub, The Phoenix Inn York is a brilliant Victorian-era establishment that takes away the modern frills of city pubs. With live music nights each week, this York pub makes for a lovely place to enjoy a few pints away from the busyness of the city centre. With plenty of cask ales on tap to choose from, this pub also boasts a roaring open fire in the winter and a great beer garden overlooking the historic city walls.
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16. House of the Trembling Madness
A quirky York pub housed in a stunning timber-framed medieval building, the House of The Trembling Madness York can be found just around the corner from the iconic York Minster. Open from morning ‘til midnight every day of the week, this York pub probably has the largest stock of international beers anywhere in the city. With a particular focus on rare Belgian beers, this place also has lots of local keg beers to try out too.
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17. The Market Cat
Tucked away on medieval Jubbergate you’ll find The Market Cat, a bright and modern York pub split over three floors that offers a large selection of beers from all kinds of weird and wonderful British breweries With plenty of unique pints on tap from Thornbridge, the house brewery, this York pub is also popular for its delicious pizzas and great views of this ancient city from its booths upstairs.
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18. Lendal Cellars
Hidden below the busy streets of the city centre you’ll find Lendal Cellars York, a fantastic place to grab a few drinks if you’re looking to party somewhere unique. With a huge selection of local and international beers behind the bar, this York pub is also popular for its great food menu and late-night atmosphere, staying open ‘til midnight every day of the week. With a beer terrace outside, there’s never a bad time to pop down for a few drinks here.
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19. Harkers York
An ornate Victorian pub with a lively atmosphere, Harkers York can be found just across the road from the last entry on this list. A popular place for craft ales, this York pub has a classic pub grub menu to go with the drink selection, serving everything from pizzas to burgers and more. Open throughout the week and staying open later on Saturdays, this place has a great atmosphere in the evenings that isn’t worth missing out on.
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20. Corner Pin
A traditional-style Marstons pub on the opposite side of the river to the city centre, the Corner Pin York is a classic, no-nonsense York pub that serves up homestyle food and great beers all day every day. With a constant rotation of cask ales behind the bar, this place has a proper local atmosphere and makes for a great place to enjoy a few pints on your way into the city. If you happen to stop by this quaint pub, it’s well worth checking in for a drink or two.
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21. Ye Olde Starre Inne
Claiming to be the oldest licensed inn in the city, Ye Olde Starre Inne has been a favourite amongst York residents since its establishment in 1644. You’ll find this York pub to have a quaint and cosy atmosphere inside with stained-glass windows and ornate wood-panelled walls throughout. On the menu, you’ll find everything from great pints and cocktails to classic pub food like pie & mash plus lots more to keep you happy. With a private beer garden featuring stunning views of the nearby York Minster, there’s never a reason not to visit this awesome York pub.
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22. The Maltings
Proudly operated by the local Black Sheep Brewery, The Maltings York is an awesome all-day venue serving up delicious pub grub and great beers from 11am ‘til 11pm every day of the week. From the outside, you won’t be able to miss this York pub with its striking black-painted exterior. Inside, this place boasts tonnes of character and charm with an open fire, stripped-back walls & floors and retro signs lining the walls. Whatever your plans are, The Maltings is well worth a visit if you happen to pass by it whilst exploring the city.
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23. Kings Arms
Known for its large beer garden overlooking the River Ouse, the Kings Arms York is a fantastic place to enjoy a few pints on a summers day, boasting a lively and exciting atmosphere throughout the week. A medieval York pub that’s stood in the city for hundreds of years, inside the place is bound together by wooden beams and boasts a lovely and charming old-world atmosphere. For those who are a fan of Samuel Smith pubs, you’ll be more than happy here with their unique selection of drinks from Taddys lager to delicious bottled fruit beers this brewery is known for.
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24. Three Legged Mare York
An old York pub with a cool and modern vibe, the Three Legged Mare York is a wonderful place to enjoy all kinds of locally-sourced beers from the likes of York Brewery and Black Sheep. Situated almost on the doorstep of York Minster, this impressive York pub stays open later on the weekends and makes for a brilliant place to stop off for a few drinks if you’re after somewhere with a lively atmosphere.
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25. Snickleway Inn York
Known for its large beer garden overlooking the River Ouse, the Kings Arms York is a fantastic place to enjoy a few pints on a summers day, boasting a lively and exciting atmosphere throughout the week. A medieval York pub that’s stood in the city for hundreds of years, inside the place is bound together by wooden beams and boasts a lovely and charming old-world atmosphere. For those who are a fan of Samuel Smith pubs, you’ll be more than happy here with their unique selection of drinks from Taddys lager to delicious bottled fruit beers this brewery is known for.
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