York

The Kings Arms

The king in question is Richard III, and his house is right on the river bank, meaning one of its annual traditions is becoming part of the river, a fact which is cheerfully recorded on its flood level gauge on the wall inside. Some of the bar rules ('no swearing', 'no drunkenness') are a bit suspect for a pub, and it exclusively serves beers from local brewery Samuel Smith's.

Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun noon-10:30PM·Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

The Blue Bell

The smallest pub in York really is tiny, but the Edwardian interior (grade II* listed), conversational atmosphere and real ales mostly from around Yorkshire make this a firm locals' favourite. As there is nowhere to go but the bar area, children are not allowed.

Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun noon-10:30PM·Outdoor seating

The Minster Inn

Not actually by the Minster and off the beaten track, most of the inn's clientele are regulars. Full of local charm, serving a wide range of traditional ales and, as a bonus from 4PM, pizzas stone-baked to order.

Wed Thu 4PM-10PM, Fri 3PM-10:30PM, Sat noon-10:30PM, Sun noon-8PM·Outdoor seating

The Priory

Part of the Wear Inns chain, this pub has a pool table, jukebox and live sport on the telly. There is better beer to be had in York, and frankly better places to drink it, but the late-night opening makes The Priory stand out from the crowd.

Mon-Thu 3PM-midnight, Fri Sat 11AM-1AM Sun 11AM-midnight·Outdoor seating

Brew York

This craft brewery's 200-seater beer hall and tap room are right alongside the brewing machinery; the beer couldn't be fresher! They also have a nice small open-air seating area in the back facing the River Foss. Burgers and Korean sides will help soak up the alcohol.

Beer hall: Tue-Sat noon-11PM, Sun noon-9PM. Tap room: Wed, Thu 6PM-11PM, Fri 4PM-11PM, Sat noon-11PM, Sun noon-9PM. Brewery tours (duration 45-60 min): Fri 5:30PM, Sat 1:30PM, 3:30PM·Vegan options · Wi-Fi · Limited wheelchair access

The York Tap

Housed in a smartly converted Edwardian tea room, this is the place for a decent (if not cheap) pint while waiting for a train. True to its former life, you can still get hot drinks, pies, and homemade cakes here too.

Mon-Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri Sat 10AM-11:40PM, Sun 11AM-11PM·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Dog friendly

Evil Eye

Colourful cocktail bar tucked behind a gin shop owned by the same people. You may have to queue to enter, as the place is very small.

Wed Thu 4PM-midnight, Fri 4PM-1AM, Sat noon-1AM, Sun noon-midnight·Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

The Ackhorne

Cosy locals' haunt that is too well hidden to be a major tourist trap. Think pub quiz, pork pies and Yorkshire ales and ciders.

Mon-Fri noon-9PM, Sat Sun 11AM-9PM·Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

The Fulford Arms

Real ale pub with a relaxed 'suburban local' atmosphere by day, but with live music and other events such as charity fundraisers nearly every night.

Mon-Thu 4PM-midnight, Fri Sat 11:30AM-1AM, Sun 11:30AM-midnight·Wheelchair accessible · Live music

The Roman Bath

Shabby John Smiths pub with a wide selection of lagers and frequent open-mic nights. As the name hints at, the building is on top of the remains of a real Roman bath that you can visit for a fee (York Pass accepted).

Daily 11AM-11PM

The Three Legged Mare

The Wonky Donkey

Black Sheep Brewery pub which serves their ales and bar snacks, it has quite an active social week, with a Monday quiz, Thursday open mic night, Friday live folk music and various live music acts on Saturday nights. Dogs welcome.

Wed–Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10:30PM, Mon–Tue noon–11PM·Limited wheelchair access · Live music

Valhalla

Anyone versed in Norse mythology will love this bar, which offers proof if it were needed that the Viking spirit is alive and well in York. A place for loudly drinking mead, cider and ale from a big horn, and feasting from platters stuffed to bursting with quality Yorkshire and Scandi produce.

Sun-Thu noon-11:30PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-12:30AM·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating

The Micklegate

Good for a noisy couple of hours. If there's no live football with eager fans staring at the multitude of screens, then the music will be playing loud.

Sun-Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri Sat 10AM-midnight·Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

Dusk

A great place for cocktails, that describes itself as a "laid-back café bar by day, den of iniquity by night." While it does indeed get busy of an evening, especially when there's a live music act, you can usually find some space upstairs.

Daily 10AM-2AM. 2-for-1 cocktails Mon-Thu all night, Fri-Sun until 10PM·Wi-Fi

House of the Trembling Madness (Stonegate)

Email via online contact form. If the name doesn't put you off, then presumably neither will the taxidermied lion's head hanging over the bar, or the wax-encrusted candlesticks on the tables. Work your way through their encyclopedic collection of Belgian beers, and then soak up the booze with some maddeningly superior barsnacks. The same company has a much larger venue on Lendal.

Daily 10AM-midnight·Wi-Fi

The Keystones

Popular with a younger crowd for its live sports on telly at the weekends, pool table, variety of board games and free Playstation 4. Beer garden at rear.

Daily noon-10PM·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Vahe Bar

Lovely relaxed bar overlooking York Minster serving British ales and Belgian draughts, plus over 200 bottled continental beers and 300 spirits.

Wed Thu 5PM-11PM, Fri 10:30AM-midnight, Sat 12:30PM-midnight

Club Salvation

Salvo

Essentially for boozed-up undergrad students, Salvo has cheap drinks, chart music and absolutely no class. The bouncers have a bad attitude, but a strict policy against drugs.

University term time: Wed Fri 10:30PM-4AM, Sat 11PM-4AM. University holidays: Sat 11PM-4AM·Free entry before 10PM, then £5 (combo ticket with Society)

Lendal Cellars

A standard Greene King chain pub in all ways but one: the building. To access, the visitor must leave the street via a passageway, then descend into this arch-ceilinged underground bar, which was the Lord Mayor's personal wine cellar in the 18th century. An atmospheric venue for drinks, but avoid the food.

Sun-Thu noon-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM

The Stone Roses

A 90s-themed rock/britpop bar which steadily morphs into a club as the night goes on. Decent atmosphere and bargain bevvies.

Mon-Fri noon-1AM, Sat Sun 11AM-1AM·Free entry except for gigs

Jalou

Email via online contact form. Geordie glam meets medieval York: lavish and pricey cocktails served to an RnB soundtrack in a grade II-listed Gothic church with an impressive 'neon chandelier' centrepiece.

Sun-Wed 4PM-1AM, Thu-Sat noon-2AM

The Maltings

Absolutely cracking real-ale free house. The resident beer is Yorkshire's famous Black Sheep bitter, and there is a constant rotation of six other guest beers and four traditional ciders.

Daily 11AM-11PM

Popworld

Describing itself as "cheese with style", Popworld is deeply proud of how uncool it is. This chain club is smaller than most of its sister venues, but has a revolving dancefloor on which you can bust out your worst moves to music as sugary as the floor's sticky coating.

Fri Sat 9PM-2AM·Entry generally free, some events £3

Fibbers

Long running music venue which has hosted many of the UK's biggest acts since the 1990s. Gigs several nights a week. 14-16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult (18+). No under 14s. As of summer 2019, facing an uncertain future - enjoy it while you can. Tickets: (calls incur a 7 pence per minute service charge, plus your phone provider's per-minute access charge)

Most shows 7:30PM-10:30PM

Kuda Bar and Club

Split over two floors and three rooms, including a tiki bar complete with hula girls, and a cocktail lounge. VIP booths available. Drinks are pricey.

Mon-Wed, Fri 11PM-3:30AM, Sat 9PM-3:30AM·Entry from £3

The Basement

100-seater underground venue for live music (especially jazz), comedy, film, poetry, workshops and discussions. One of two venues for the Laugh Out Loud comedy club. 16+ only.

Most gigs 8PM-11PM, most other events 7:30PM-10PM

The Biltmore

Housed in a converted historic church, this New York-inspired swish champagne and cocktail bar is relaxed in the week and buzzing at the weekend with the house DJ's music.

Tue-Thu 5PM-midnight, Fr 3PM-at least midnight, Sat Sun noon-at least midnight

The Crescent

Working men's club turned community events venue. Tuesdays are for retro gaming, Wednesday is open decks night, and there are music gigs several times a week.

Daily 4PM-midnight (Sat Sun until 1AM)

The Lighthorseman

The Lighthorseman is a Grade II listed public house with guest accommodation on Fulford Road in the Fishergate area of York, England. Dating from around 1870, it was probably purpose‑built as a pub and small hotel, according to CAMRA, and The Press has attributed its design to Walter Green Penty, although the official listing does not name an architect. The site was added to the New Walk/Terry Avenue conservation area in 1975 and listed in 1994 as part of a CAMRA–English Heritage pilot study, with CAMRA regarding the interior as of "special national historic interest".

Open now · closes 11:30 pm·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options

Waggon and Horses

The Waggon and Horses is a Grade II listed public house and bed and breakfast on Lawrence Street in York, England. Built in 1773 as a house, now No. 17, it stands close to the city walls at Walmgate Bar.

Open now · closes 11 pm·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible