Alley Cats

oogywawa

Sadly now shut and for sale 9th October 2009

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Shut due to the parting of the waves of the owners - a sad loss

oogywawa

Purrrrrrrr - fect on a sunny evening 22nd July 2008

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I've grown to like Alley Cats from inauspicious beginnings. The first time I went in was fairly raucous and we are treated to a raunchy striptease by a voluptuous lass - so not all bad!! It all felt a bit cliquey though, but I think now I was probably mistaken.

The handsomely restored 16th century building is on 3 floors, with dining in the lower and upper environs and drinks in the bijout bar and outside. The candlelit atmosphere lends itself to the varied clientele - from lovers to groups to the silver pound...

There could not be a lovelier courtyard either to drink in - facing the stunning Barley Hall which has been there since 1430.

The bar is well stocked with Premium spirits, Cocktails, a judicious Wine list and a varies stock of ice cold bottled Beers.

The best bit is that unless you know where it is you ain't going to find it - hidden away along an atmospheric stone passage, or "snickleway" between Swinegate and Stonegate. Now doesn't that make you feel smug when you finally do...!

mazphd

easy one to miss 25th February 2008

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Hidden down an alley way off of one of york's main 'pretty streets' of Stonegate Alley Cats occupies a little known position. This adds to its charm. Set apart from the main intense tourist flow of the city, this is a cafe by day come restaurant and bar by night.

You can count on the compactness of the Cats being squeezed full of locals, that contributes to its cosy and lively atmosphere. Run by a Yorky family, the charm of this place is very much the setting and people that frequent it. Not overly pretentious nor down and out studenty Alley Cats meets that happy medium of 'nice' and quietly sophisticated.

It can be a bit of a squeeze and there is nothing to really knock you over and wow you on the menu, but that does not matter as the culture is laid back and friendly in here that means you can while away an afternoon quite happily and content, much like a cat.