Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in York, United Kingdom

Vudu Lounge - by VIPme

VIPme — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Review by VIPme

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01904 627627

Website: http://www.vudulounge.co.uk

Tags: late license, live music, food

Best bartenders in York, fantastic atmosphere, best cocktails I've ever drank! Overall, definately my favourite place to end the night. And start it! Always feel welcomed. awesome djs most nights particularly saturday and Sunday.Best bartenders in York, fantastic atmosphere, best cocktails I've ever drank! Overall, definately my favourite place to end the night. And start it! Always feel welcomed. awesome djs most nights particularly saturday and Sunday.

The Biltmore - looks nice but disgusting food by clar

clar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:22:27 +0000

Review by clar

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 01904 6100 75

Website: http://www.thebiltmorebarandgrill.com/

Tags: cool & smart, posh, trendy

very nice inside and out and in a lovely part of York but oh dear what a disaster on the food side. Portions are tiny (avoid the scallop starter!), service is slow alrhough waiter was very friendly. But we were in there for the food and it flatters to deceive - sounds lovely on the menu but it all tasted rubbery, over cooked and in a place with so many fantastic restaurants I'm surprised its kept going as long as it has.Very very expensive and just not worth it. Desperately in need of a change in thinking on the food side, a pretentious place that doesn't live up to its imagevery nice inside and out and in a lovely part of York but oh dear what a disaster on the food side. Portions are tiny (avoid the scallop starter!), service is slow alrhough waiter was very friendly. But we were in there for the food and it flatters to deceive - sounds lovely on the menu but it all tasted rubbery, over cooked and in a place with so many fantastic restaurants I'm surprised its kept going as long as it has.Very very expensive and just not worth it. Desperately in need of a change in thinking on the food side, a pretentious place that doesn't live up to its image

Alice Hawthorn Inn - Alice Hawthorn - excellent Sunday lunch by stecat

stecat — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:53:51 +0000

Review by stecat

Rating: 5.00

Tags: cool, relaxed, friendly

My husband and I happened upon this lovely pub in a beautiful village near York. We had a lovely Sunday lunch with very friendly service. I was very impressed by the food, I'd say it is all freshly prepared. My husband had the soup and sea bream and I had the pate and veggie lasagne, all the food was excellent. Sadly I couldn't quite manage a dessert although I really wanted to try the "Alice Mess". Good selection of wines and beers too. Next time we're in the area we'll be heading back, great setting, friendly atmosphere and good grub/drink. Big roaring fire in the winter making it nice and cosy, they had a beer garden which I'd like to check out in summer too...My husband and I happened upon this lovely pub in a beautiful village near York. We had a lovely Sunday lunch with very friendly service. I was very impressed by the food, I'd say it is all freshly prepared. My husband had the soup and sea bream and I had the pate and veggie lasagne, all the food was excellent. Sadly I couldn't quite manage a dessert although I really wanted to try the "Alice Mess". Good selection of wines and beers too. Next time we're in the area we'll be heading back, great setting, friendly atmosphere and good grub/drink. Big roaring fire in the winter making it nice and cosy, they had a beer garden which I'd like to check out in summer too...

Harkers - food and service at harkers bar by danthemann1987

danthemann1987 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:53:42 +0000

Review by danthemann1987

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 01904 672795

Tags: live music, posh, food

very poor service and very rude to people. was waiting over half an hour before i had to go up to the bar and ask where my order of food was and noted everyone who had ordered after me had been served food. and the food was over cooked and coldvery poor service and very rude to people. was waiting over half an hour before i had to go up to the bar and ask where my order of food was and noted everyone who had ordered after me had been served food. and the food was over cooked and cold

The Red Lion Inn - by Sofar

Sofar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:19:19 +0000

Review by Sofar

Rating: 5.00I recently went here for the first time for Sunday carvery and was pleasantly surprised to see how nice it was inside (I was expecting drab old pub feel, but it's quite modern). I often gauge a place by their toilets (odd I know) and the mens was one of the nicest I've been in.

I'd read via a Google search that the food is meant to be good here and I think the owner used to be head chef at Meltons.

Anyway, Carvery isn't a proper test of the normal food offered there I suppose but it was very good. If I had to criticise I'd say the mash could be a better consistency but otherwise nothing could be faulted. The price was around Â£9 per head. We didn't have desert as we were too stuffed.

It does seem to get busy on a Sunday as you'd expect but we didn't book so had to wait quite a while for our table. In fact I'm a bit hesitant to leave a positive review in case it gets even busier still!I recently went here for the first time for Sunday carvery and was pleasantly surprised to see how nice it was inside (I was expecting drab old pub feel, but it's quite modern). I often gauge a place by their toilets (odd I know) and the mens was one of the nicest I've been in.

I'd read via a Google search that the food is meant to be good here and I think the owner used to be head chef at Meltons.

Anyway, Carvery isn't a proper test of the normal food offered there I suppose but it was very good. If I had to criticise I'd say the mash could be a better consistency but otherwise nothing could be faulted. The price was around Â£9 per head. We didn't have desert as we were too stuffed.

It does seem to get busy on a Sunday as you'd expect but we didn't book so had to wait quite a while for our table. In fact I'm a bit hesitant to leave a positive review in case it gets even busier still!

Blue Fly Cafe Bar - Blue Fly Awsome by matthewsmith

matthewsmith — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:51:22 +0000

Review by matthewsmith

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 01904 634321

Tags: cool, friendly, relaxed

The first time I have been to this bar and will defo visit again, not best for the internet but hey!... so what... There are not many places in York that have great food best coffee in the day time and can change to a top music bar on the night time...... not bad for a tiny little place...The first time I have been to this bar and will defo visit again, not best for the internet but hey!... so what... There are not many places in York that have great food best coffee in the day time and can change to a top music bar on the night time...... not bad for a tiny little place...

Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen - Truly appalling by ADSrox0r

ADSrox0r — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:56:48 +0000

Review by ADSrox0r

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 01904 655868

Website: http://www.hahaonline.co.uk

Tags: bar, trendy, students

I should begin by saying that until today my partner and I were always happy customers at Ha Ha Bar. Myself I had found that they did an excellent steak that was done to perfection and I was always served an excellent cut of meat that I was more than happy to pay for. We would often tell our friends of our good experience there and would visit for a bit of a treat because we knew what we were going to get.

That was until today. I ordered my usual favourite which is a 10oz Rib Eye with fries, blue cheese sauce and a bottle of Leffe. My partner ordered a basic greek salad.

To start off the waiter took our drinks order and took an unusual amount of time to come back to tell me that they were unfortunately out of Leffe so I ordered a bottle of Tiger instead. This also took an uncomfortable amount of time to arrive but we were in no hurry and proceeded to order our food.

Meanwhile, a couple sat next to us had their food brought over and quickly it became apparent that the gentleman was not happy and told the waiter his burger was not properly cooked. It was sent back for another to be made which took quite some time.

Upon arriving I have to say I was taken aback by what I was presented with. My partner's salad appeared as you would expect but my steak and chips was a poor representation of the standard I had come to expect. The steak itself was quite obviously not a 10oz Rib Eye even without tasting it and looked like a very cheap cut. I tried it only to find that it had been overdone, I asked for medium-rare and this was clearly medium-well-done. It was also a very poor tasting piece of meat and being somewhat knowledgable in these matters I detected that it was also very much not fresh.
The fries were the next let down, since these had barely been shown a heat source and were very much near raw and it was plain to see from their pale withered appearance. The blue cheese sauce that I had enjoyed very much in the past as a hand made fresh addition to my meal, was in fact some form of processed blue cheese derivitave decanted into a small pot.
After a few bites of her salad my partner told me it had a distinct 'chemical' taste to it and that the lettuce was in fact somewhat browned.
The silver bullet for this experience was that my partner then found a dead bug in her salad! At this point we told the waiter that we were not happy and the manager was summoned.
After a polite conversation it was revealed that he had only been working there for three days and was at a loss to explain why the standards had slipped so badly. To his credit he said there would be no charge for our meal and drinks and he hoped we would return another time.
Meanwhile, the chap sat next to us had his second burger brought to him and after a quick word with him he told us this one was also undercooked and inedible! He said that they were not even 'proper' burgers and were more akin to frozen grillsteaks.
All in all, an appalling meal and we will not be returning until such time as we see reviews indicating a positive improvement in the basic standards of cooking and more worryingly, health & hygiene.I should begin by saying that until today my partner and I were always happy customers at Ha Ha Bar. Myself I had found that they did an excellent steak that was done to perfection and I was always served an excellent cut of meat that I was more than happy to pay for. We would often tell our friends of our good experience there and would visit for a bit of a treat because we knew what we were going to get.

That was until today. I ordered my usual favourite which is a 10oz Rib Eye with fries, blue cheese sauce and a bottle of Leffe. My partner ordered a basic greek salad.

To start off the waiter took our drinks order and took an unusual amount of time to come back to tell me that they were unfortunately out of Leffe so I ordered a bottle of Tiger instead. This also took an uncomfortable amount of time to arrive but we were in no hurry and proceeded to order our food.

Meanwhile, a couple sat next to us had their food brought over and quickly it became apparent that the gentleman was not happy and told the waiter his burger was not properly cooked. It was sent back for another to be made which took quite some time.

Upon arriving I have to say I was taken aback by what I was presented with. My partner's salad appeared as you would expect but my steak and chips was a poor representation of the standard I had come to expect. The steak itself was quite obviously not a 10oz Rib Eye even without tasting it and looked like a very cheap cut. I tried it only to find that it had been overdone, I asked for medium-rare and this was clearly medium-well-done. It was also a very poor tasting piece of meat and being somewhat knowledgable in these matters I detected that it was also very much not fresh.
The fries were the next let down, since these had barely been shown a heat source and were very much near raw and it was plain to see from their pale withered appearance. The blue cheese sauce that I had enjoyed very much in the past as a hand made fresh addition to my meal, was in fact some form of processed blue cheese derivitave decanted into a small pot.
After a few bites of her salad my partner told me it had a distinct 'chemical' taste to it and that the lettuce was in fact somewhat browned.
The silver bullet for this experience was that my partner then found a dead bug in her salad! At this point we told the waiter that we were not happy and the manager was summoned.
After a polite conversation it was revealed that he had only been working there for three days and was at a loss to explain why the standards had slipped so badly. To his credit he said there would be no charge for our meal and drinks and he hoped we would return another time.
Meanwhile, the chap sat next to us had his second burger brought to him and after a quick word with him he told us this one was also undercooked and inedible! He said that they were not even 'proper' burgers and were more akin to frozen grillsteaks.
All in all, an appalling meal and we will not be returning until such time as we see reviews indicating a positive improvement in the basic standards of cooking and more worryingly, health & hygiene.

Bay Horse Inn - A gem in a beautiful setting by Oueeza

Oueeza — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:16:28 +0000

Review by Oueeza

Rating: 5.00

Tags: friendly, independent pub

I ate here just before the full refit it has just undergone; I can't wait to visit again as even with a restricted range of dishes the food was wonderful, satisfying and delicious. Vegetables are cooked with exceptional finesse and sensivity. The wine list is excellent and they know their wines... Staff and the new owners, who were preparing for the imminent overhaul, were delightful. I enjoyed the tiny individual towels in the bathroom!
I ate in the evening, but the stunning views outside will make the conservatory and outside dining areas particularly appealing in summer.I ate here just before the full refit it has just undergone; I can't wait to visit again as even with a restricted range of dishes the food was wonderful, satisfying and delicious. Vegetables are cooked with exceptional finesse and sensivity. The wine list is excellent and they know their wines... Staff and the new owners, who were preparing for the imminent overhaul, were delightful. I enjoyed the tiny individual towels in the bathroom!
I ate in the evening, but the stunning views outside will make the conservatory and outside dining areas particularly appealing in summer.

Golden Lion - Scores 0 Stars for Food Hygiene !!! by oogywawa

oogywawa — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:53:28 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 01904 620942

Tags: traditional pub, live music, wireless internet access

City of York inspectors scored Golden Lion zero stars following their Food Hygiene visit with "Little Confidence" that Hygiene will be managed properly in the future.

Enough said...City of York inspectors scored Golden Lion zero stars following their Food Hygiene visit with "Little Confidence" that Hygiene will be managed properly in the future.

Enough said...

Pivo Cafe Bar - Much improved... by oogywawa

oogywawa — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:44:13 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 2.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, trendy

I was justly critical of Pivo when it first opened and won't revisit old ground so just read my previous review if you want the background.

Happily when I revisited the place itself, most of the irritating gaffes had been ironed out. Services was prompt and efficient, all of the beers were dispensed without the previous tortuous small trickle or (conversly) mounds of froth that necessitated a wait of 10 minutes for a single pint.

More good news in that they now stock the iconic Meantime beers from Greenwich and a hangover friendly Bernard Light lager which has all of the taste of the standard Bernard but only 3.8% ABV.

Another bar to add to the ale trail then...I was justly critical of Pivo when it first opened and won't revisit old ground so just read my previous review if you want the background.

Happily when I revisited the place itself, most of the irritating gaffes had been ironed out. Services was prompt and efficient, all of the beers were dispensed without the previous tortuous small trickle or (conversly) mounds of froth that necessitated a wait of 10 minutes for a single pint.

More good news in that they now stock the iconic Meantime beers from Greenwich and a hangover friendly Bernard Light lager which has all of the taste of the standard Bernard but only 3.8% ABV.

Another bar to add to the ale trail then...

Stonegate Yard & Brasserie - Oh my God what have they done! by bigB

bigB — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:51:14 +0000

Review by bigB

Rating: 1.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, independent pub

The girls and I (ok we.re all 40 something) troop through from Harrogate to York two or three times a year.It has become habit to shop and then have a late lunch and more than a few carafes of vino at Oscars.It was our own fault really-we didn't notice the name change.It did all seem a bit odd that it was earily quiet save for a few odd looking men stood at the bar.Still the waiter assurred us that the business had merely changed its name.I was not totally convinced but some of my fellow shopaholics had foregone breakfast and were in need of food.They reasoned that the food would still be good.Wrong.This place is bad.To make matters worse it has replaced a bar that was really good.York is a poorer place to visit now without the attraction of Oscars. And as for Stonegate yard there really is no excuse for a place to be as poor as this.The girls and I (ok we.re all 40 something) troop through from Harrogate to York two or three times a year.It has become habit to shop and then have a late lunch and more than a few carafes of vino at Oscars.It was our own fault really-we didn't notice the name change.It did all seem a bit odd that it was earily quiet save for a few odd looking men stood at the bar.Still the waiter assurred us that the business had merely changed its name.I was not totally convinced but some of my fellow shopaholics had foregone breakfast and were in need of food.They reasoned that the food would still be good.Wrong.This place is bad.To make matters worse it has replaced a bar that was really good.York is a poorer place to visit now without the attraction of Oscars. And as for Stonegate yard there really is no excuse for a place to be as poor as this.

Tap & Spile - by themoonandstars

themoonandstars — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:01:03 +0000

Review by themoonandstars

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01904 656158

Website: http://www.enterpriseinns.com

Tags: relaxed, food, friendly

I agree, possibly the best pub in York. Jack the landlord keeps the ever changing beers well.. Food is good, I have had sunday dinner there and all I can say is that he does a good roast !

Good mix of people in there, does a lot of work for charities with charity gigs. Hosted the pork pie festival last year.

Great pub, recommend it to anybodyI agree, possibly the best pub in York. Jack the landlord keeps the ever changing beers well.. Food is good, I have had sunday dinner there and all I can say is that he does a good roast !

Good mix of people in there, does a lot of work for charities with charity gigs. Hosted the pork pie festival last year.

Great pub, recommend it to anybody

Station Inn - Third visit to chinese restaurant by TomFi

TomFi — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Review by TomFi

Rating: 5.00

Tags: friendly, beer garden

Fantastic food and service. Very reasonable. We share a starter and main and still cant eat it all. Highly RecommendedFantastic food and service. Very reasonable. We share a starter and main and still cant eat it all. Highly Recommended

The Village Inn - Georgio by Denzil

Denzil — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Review by Denzil

Rating: 5.00

Tags: friendly, traditional pub, excellent pub food

Great value quality food.Lovely clean atmosphere.Great value quality food.Lovely clean atmosphere.

KoKo International Bar - by kev2009

kev2009 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:02:26 +0000

Review by kev2009

Rating: 4.00

Tags: relaxed, cool, friendly

A nice place to relax and enjoy a wide range of beersA nice place to relax and enjoy a wide range of beers

The Rook & Gaskill - Real beer - the place to go by Mikehyms

Mikehyms — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:03:21 +0000

Review by Mikehyms

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01904 674067

Website: http://www.mildlymad.co.uk

Tags: food, real ale, beer garden / outside seating

Its about the beer ..... Possibly the best range of beer, cider etc to be found in York. Always new stuff to try. Very much a err trad pub in that it is a touch tatty but good to say usually busy - given the pressure on other places in the area.

Its about the beer ..... Possibly the best range of beer, cider etc to be found in York. Always new stuff to try. Very much a err trad pub in that it is a touch tatty but good to say usually busy - given the pressure on other places in the area.

Oscar's Wine Bar - A bit of hype? by Mikehyms

Mikehyms — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:40:19 +0000

Review by Mikehyms

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 01904 652002

Website: www.oscarswinebar.com

Tags: friendly, relaxed, beer garden

Reading through the reviews ... I wonder if some emanate from the marketing branch (OK too grand - those involved in the business). The place is OK but not as great as some reviews would have it. Food is cheapish in a pile em high kind of way. Quality is missing - and if you don't fancy a burger there is not much to choose. Everything feels mass frozen and fried up - but that makes it cheap(ish). Big Mac might be better these days (but not been there for a while).Reading through the reviews ... I wonder if some emanate from the marketing branch (OK too grand - those involved in the business). The place is OK but not as great as some reviews would have it. Food is cheapish in a pile em high kind of way. Quality is missing - and if you don't fancy a burger there is not much to choose. Everything feels mass frozen and fried up - but that makes it cheap(ish). Big Mac might be better these days (but not been there for a while).

The Lamb & Lion - Fleeced (well a must headline) by Mikehyms

Mikehyms — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:37:52 +0000

Review by Mikehyms

Rating: 1.00

Tags: independent pub, beer garden, standard pub food

Attempted a glass of expensive wine - barman finds a already open bottle and gives it a sniff. 'Hmm I'll just go ahead and pop it in a glass...' This wine is supposed to have bubbles (you know the kind of thing) and even from the other side of the bar - it is clear these have long gone. Didn't even taste it as the smell (as the barman knew) was as off as any wine could ever be. Oh no other bottles available!
The place is going downhill quickly - economic issues are clear - with low stock levels. Food is awful and prices expensive. Nice garden space thou. Suspect the Lamb will not be around much longer ... and given the current service and prices it does not deserve to be.Attempted a glass of expensive wine - barman finds a already open bottle and gives it a sniff. 'Hmm I'll just go ahead and pop it in a glass...' This wine is supposed to have bubbles (you know the kind of thing) and even from the other side of the bar - it is clear these have long gone. Didn't even taste it as the smell (as the barman knew) was as off as any wine could ever be. Oh no other bottles available!
The place is going downhill quickly - economic issues are clear - with low stock levels. Food is awful and prices expensive. Nice garden space thou. Suspect the Lamb will not be around much longer ... and given the current service and prices it does not deserve to be.

The Little John - The Only Gay Bar In The Village (nearly) by Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:12:48 +0000

Review by Jabberwocky

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01904 658242

Website: http://www.littlejohnljs.com

Tags: cool, relaxed, food

Unless you count the York Arms, the Littlejohn is the only "gay friendly" bar in York.Its recently had a makeover and looks more like a small nightclub.Theres a video jukebox and they have recently started doing (rather good) meals.Like most pubs in York it can be slightly dull during the day but almost too lively at night! Monday not much happens but Tuesday is Quiz Night and Thursday is karaoke.
The owners are friendly and the crowd is usually great fun but on Saturdays it can get invaded by geezers (shaved head, shirt out of their trousers) or hen parties so I give it a miss. Sunday night is usually the busiest.Unless you count the York Arms, the Littlejohn is the only "gay friendly" bar in York.Its recently had a makeover and looks more like a small nightclub.Theres a video jukebox and they have recently started doing (rather good) meals.Like most pubs in York it can be slightly dull during the day but almost too lively at night! Monday not much happens but Tuesday is Quiz Night and Thursday is karaoke.
The owners are friendly and the crowd is usually great fun but on Saturdays it can get invaded by geezers (shaved head, shirt out of their trousers) or hen parties so I give it a miss. Sunday night is usually the busiest.

The Royal Oak - Proper traditional pub with great food by yorkiegirl

yorkiegirl — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Review by yorkiegirl

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01653 699334

Tags: award winning, fantastic beer and great food

Proper old traditional (award winning) pub with log fire and lovely beer garden. Limited food offering but all homemade and delicious - and excellent value for money. CAMRA Pub of the Season for Winter 2008 and also in the Good Beer Guide. A real gem of a pub. Try the Thursday night "Pie Evening" ...delicious .... or the traditional Sunday Roast Lunch.Proper old traditional (award winning) pub with log fire and lovely beer garden. Limited food offering but all homemade and delicious - and excellent value for money. CAMRA Pub of the Season for Winter 2008 and also in the Good Beer Guide. A real gem of a pub. Try the Thursday night "Pie Evening" ...delicious .... or the traditional Sunday Roast Lunch.