The Best Pubs in York

Welcome to Pivní, an award winning craft beerhouse and real ale and world beer freehouse housed within a stunning three storey, 16th century building just off the famous little Shambles. Since 2007, they have been serving up the best in beer along with a carefully curated selection of premium cider, wine and spirits from across the globe. The pub offers a wide range of real ales and world beers, plus wines and spirits, making it a fantastic setting for a cold beer, glass of wine or a coffee. It is a timber framed building dating back to 1190, so you can enjoy excellent specialty lagers and cask beers surrounded by beautiful wooden beams and incredible character.

The Hop combines traditional real ale, a fantastic range of drinks, wood-fired pizza, and live music to create an innovative vibe. It features award-winning real ale from Ossett Brewery and guest breweries, plus world craft beer and artisan gin. The pizzeria operates on a first come, first served basis and does not take reservations.

This historic pub is a true gem for anyone who loves authentic, characterful drinking spots. It's renowned for its excellent range of real ales and craft beers, often featuring local brews, all served in a space with a wonderfully genuine, old school feel. While the service can be notoriously slow, the reward is a pint in a place full of local lore, even rumored to have its own ghost. The outdoor seating is a bonus, and with a strict no kids policy, it’s a dedicated retreat for adults seeking a proper, no frills pub experience.

Welcome to The Masons Arms, a historic and independently operated traditional British pub with a story that begins in 1835. You can enjoy a secluded beer terrace overlooking the river, plus an open fire in the back room that is perfect for a winter’s evening. The chefs prepare all meals with fresh ingredients, offering huge portions of home cooked classics like delicious lamb shanks and a famous Sunday roast with three choices of joint. It is a dog friendly pub with friendly staff, free parking, and even free sandwiches.

This pub is a true hidden gem, a friendly local spot that buzzes with character through its live music and lively celebrations. It’s a haven for real ale lovers, offering a fantastic and ever changing selection of beers alongside a warm, welcoming crowd. You’ll find great value here, and the simple joy of a proper pork pie with your pint is a must. With its outdoor seating and twice yearly beer festivals, this is a community hub that knows how to throw a party and make everyone feel at home.

Welcome to The Market Cat, a Thornbridge and Co. pub with a traditional look and a modern twist. This three storey venue sits on the corner of Shambles Market and offers spectacular rooftop views, with each floor having a unique feel. Enjoy excellent craft beers on cask and keg, delicious Milanese style pizzas made with their own Jaipur IPA, and an incredible wine selection. It is a huge, dog friendly space perfect for catching up with friends or unwinding after work.

The Whippet Inn is a hidden gem tucked away on one of the city's least photogenic streets, housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building. It serves unpretentious food with unapologetic decor and unrivalled service, focusing on the best sustainably and locally sourced ingredients. The pub has become synonymous with superb beef, offering a fantastic variety of ever changing cuts and breeds. Guests can enjoy wines selected by sommeliers, cocktails from bartenders, and ales from award winning local breweries. One visitor even described the steak as so juicy and flavoursome they could have almost left their partner for it.

Step into a pub that feels like a living piece of history, where every worn beam and crooked doorway whispers tales from centuries past. This place is legendary for its absolutely massive Yorkshire puddings, a single portion of which is so enormous that you will want to share it with a friend. The fish and chips are also a triumph, arriving as a wonderfully generous portion of perfectly cooked, golden battered fish. Keep an eye out for Salem, the resident pub cat, who adds to the wonderfully old and homey character that makes a meal here so special. Whether you are stopping by for a pint or a proper lunch, the sheer sense of age and warmth here is an experience in itself.

Pavement Vaults is a progressive smokehouse barbecue canteen serving the finest, most flavoursome BBQ and smoked food. It offers a top drawer range of constantly rotating craft beer, wine, and cocktails, including limited release brews and brewery collaborations. The venue itself is steeped in history, originally part of a medieval street dating back to 1378, and later housed within the historic White Swan Hotel.

The Snickleway Inn is a wonderfully characterful spot where you can settle in with a friendly pint and a superb selection of ales. The soundtrack is a treat, with great ska and vintage reggae playing as you relax. For a truly special experience, pop in on a Monday night to hear the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir burst into song after their rehearsal. The outdoor seating is a bonus, but the real magic is the spontaneous, joyful singalong that makes this place unforgettable.