10 Best Pubs in York

Golden Fleece York sits opposite the bottom of the Shambles neighbourhood and is one of York’s oldest recorded coaching inns, offering no-frills pints since 1503. This establishment also claims to be the most haunted pub in York, and its most iconic ghost is One Eyed Jack, who wears a red coat from the 16th century and carries a flintlock pistol.

This building hails from an era when structures were forced in right on top of one another, and it has an authentic old-school feel and flair. It’s long and narrow, and to this day still appeals to the common people of York, who flock here for an after-work pint. It’s right in the heart of the city centre.

Ye Olde Starre Inne claims to be the oldest continuously licensed pub in York, offering straight-up pints in wood-panelled rooms from behind a copper-top bar. Outside, this pub doesn’t offer beer gardens, but beer yards. The selection of craft beers on draught here is nothing short of outstanding. It’s a smaller place located down a small alleyway off of Stonegate. Its main block is timber-frame and was constructed in the mid-16th century, with a left wing that was added circa 1600.

It got its name, 'The Starre', around the early 1640s and occupied the back of a coaching yard. It’s located in the heart of the city centre, and it is the inn with the oldest provable pedigree in town.

Guy Fawkes Inn offers references to the dark history of England balanced with classic pub grub in old-world surroundings, but served up with a modern flair. Their steak pies have won AA Rosette awards, and their alcohol list includes cask ales, draught beers, wines and spirits with a huge range of choices. The interior vibe is cosy and lit with gas lamps just like in the days of yore. It’s named for its location on the spot where the famous conspirator was born. It’s a Grade II-listed building constructed in the 18th century.

If you’re on a romantic holiday, you can even book a room with a 4-poster bed. It’s all in the heart of the city centre.

The Kings Arms offers a fantastic spot to enjoy a beer on a sunny day, with a riverfront setting and a cosy brick interior tap room dating to the 19th century. The views here are outstanding, and the interior is cosy and welcoming. This pub is famous because over the years it has stayed open even during severe floods. The walls even bear flood markings dating back over 200 years. Mobile phones are completely banned here. It’s also a family-friendly place, and swearing is not allowed.

All of that makes this a fun and vibrant pub with a real old-school yet wholesome feel. It’s right in the city centre.

York Tap is a station pub that’s popular with commuters waiting for a train and offers over 30 brilliant local and craft beers all on tap. The circular bar is situated under a hanging chandelier, and the moment you walk through the doors, the main transport hub in Yorkshire magically and instantly turns into an old-school public house. You can hang outside to admire the unique architecture of the station and watch people come and go.

The pub has a true sense of class and grace, situated in former tea rooms, and has an authentic terrazzo floor. It’s also an easy jaunt, just an 8-minute bus ride from the city centre.

The Old White Swan is a mucky duck that’s famous for showcasing the world’s (then) tallest man in 1781, a 2.4-metre giant, and today offers something for everyone. The building dates to the 16th century and has an authentically old-world vibe to it. The atmosphere is warm, cosy and friendly with welcoming and attentive staff. Every Thursday, Friday and Sunday evening they offer live music, and Thursdays also offer trivia nights. The beer selection is vast and consists largely of keg and cask ales.

For more modern entertainment, the tap room boasts 4 big-screen TVs that showcase sports matches, so you can root for your favourite team. It’s all in the heart of the York city centre.

The Hole in the Wall is a pleasant, cosy small pub tucked down one of the most ancient streets in York, offering casual surroundings and a traditional, welcoming setting. They offer a solid range of chilled lagers and guest ales on tap as well as a fine selection of ciders and wines. The tap room is quaint and very old world in feel. The decor features low-beamed ceilings and intimate vibes. It’s a small space that’s popular with locals, making it a great spot to visit if you want an authentic vibe.

Thursday nights feature quiz games, Tuesdays and Sundays offer live music acts, and Wednesdays are open-mic nights. It’s right in the city centre.

The Maltings is a favourite local pub serving up an astonishing selection of chilled beers on draught all in a building that’s been serving it up for 180 years. This free house in the city centre features a constant selection of 3 great Yorkshire beers, including the ever-popular Black Sheep, whose name is emblazoned outside. Others include the York Brewery’s Guzzler and Treboom’s Yorkshire Sparkle pale ale. This is a no-frills pub that is strictly focused on craft and cask ales, a few dozen whiskies and other liquors.

The decor features vintage mirrors, old enamel signs, tiled floors and lots of dark wood. The pub grub is served only in the afternoons. Live music is showcased every Monday night.

The Stone Roses Bar is a full-on music venue as opposed to a traditional public house, offering indie and rock music from local and travelling acts. It’s a lively place with a celebratory vibe and offers 2 pool tables and live bands followed by DJs every night of the week. The decor is classic Britpop style with indie band posters, a chopper bike hanging from the ceiling and a big mural. The pub draws a younger, hip, student crowd, and it gets quite crowded. The beer is standard fare and affordable.

The big draw here is the live music. If you want to catch some up-and-coming bands in York, head for the Stone Roses Bar right in the city centre.

Valhalla combines beer and ale with mead, coffee and live rock music with tons of choices in a Viking-themed setting right in the heart of the York city centre. The options for drinks here are broad and varied ranging from cask hand pulls to sours, stouts, lagers, lambics, ciders and ales. The mead is also outstanding here. If you're not interested in alcohol, just grab a nice strong coffee and kick back with some friends and conversation between songs from live rock acts.

The decor is dark wood, raw tables and benches, with animal hide and wool thrown over the bench backs. It’s a pure Viking vibe celebrating England’s Nordic heritage.