Itchy York article

Drinking within York's city walls

Itchy's guide to public houses in York

First of all, how cool is it that there's a wall around the city? Not too many cities left that still have a wall around it. And because of this long-standing wall, you get to say that you're going to stay in the city walls to drink. Really sounds like you know where the action's at. But once you're inside, where do you go? That's where itchy comes in... read on for the best pubs in York. By Maxine Glass.

The York Brewery
Proof, if it were needed, that York could happily build up its walls against the outside world and continue business as usual. Allowing a coachload of tourists a day, charging them a food hamper apiece, the locals would go about their business safe in the knowledge their own brewery was keeping the ale flowing. The chances sounds slim though, so visit this award-winning brewery yourself, picking up the tips to create your own utopia.

Fibbers
York's premier (and pretty much only) raawwwwk venue. You've got to admire their dedication to music, with bands (of varying calibre) playing here every night. If you're hard of hearing, allergic to guitars or not keen on gigs, this place may not be your drinking nirvana, but during the day it's a very civilised bistro-style cafe. It's all reasonably priced, and there's a great indie/alternative atmosphere.

The Handsome Cab
Extremely popular city centre pub with big leather chairs and a cosy atmosphere. Cheap beer, pretty good food and a landlord like your dad - but way cooler.

The Old White Swan
Cracking venue that holds a place in York's drinking folklore - partly because it starred in a Shed 7 video (fame indeed), but mainly because it's massive, always busy, has hearty pub lunches, an indoor beer garden (weird, but it works), big screen tellies and extremely friendly staff. If that doesn't appeal to you, then quite frankly you don't like drinking.

Ye Olde Starr Inn
One of the main contenders for the oldest pub in the city, and although that's a claim touted by half of York's alehouses, this one has a massive sign stretching across the Stonegate skyline, which is enough to get hordes of American tourists streaming through its doors. Not that you can really blame them, the beer's good, the food's excellent, and there's a decent beer garden set in the shadow of the Minster.

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Comments

The name of the pub is not the "Handsome Cab" its the HANSOM CAB, named after the man from York who invented the Hansom Cab.
- Christoper Arundel from York, UK. on 22/03/2007 -

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