-Banyan-
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Look & Feel:
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Toilets:
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Review:
A relatively new addition to York, Banyan has successfully converted an old chapel situated in the prime location of Little Stonegate into a vast open space for drinking and dining. A huge banyan tree sculpture dominates the far wall looking down into the open plan area with a long bar stretching down part of the far side which supports a large selection of lagers but only two hand pumps. Tiered levels to the other side looking out of the large windows are home to cosy booths and a mezzanine floor supports more seating and another large bar. This is a big place but it would seem easily filled with loud music and the flickering light of TV screens, it’s a space very well utilised with distinct zoning, all adorned in plush modern warm welcoming but fairly corporate décor. Access can be a bit tricky with steep steps up into the main bar and the mezzanine; we did see a couple of drunken casualties falling down them. As the rest of the building the toilets are very well presented too and there is a small outside area, a strip of seating separated with café barriers, probably more suited for alfresco dining than later night drinking though. Prices are on the higher side as you’d expect from this kid of chain bar. It definitely does well in combining classier elements of the Stonegate Quarter while still appealing to a more commercial mass market but it’s a little too generic, loud and pricey for us; especially considering what beer is on offer. If you can cope with the loud music and hectic atmosphere then it’s certainly worth a look in.
A relatively new addition to York, Banyan has successfully converted an old chapel situated in the prime location of Little Stonegate into a vast open space for drinking and dining. A huge banyan tree sculpture dominates the far wall looking down into the open plan area with a long bar stretching down part of the far side which supports a large selection of lagers but only two hand pumps. Tiered levels to the other side looking out of the large windows are home to cosy booths and a mezzanine floor supports more seating and another large bar. This is a big place but it would seem easily filled with loud music and the flickering light of TV screens, it’s a space very well utilised with distinct zoning, all adorned in plush modern warm welcoming but fairly corporate décor. Access can be a bit tricky with steep steps up into the main bar and the mezzanine; we did see a couple of drunken casualties falling down them. As the rest of the building the toilets are very well presented too and there is a small outside area, a strip of seating separated with café barriers, probably more suited for alfresco dining than later night drinking though. Prices are on the higher side as you’d expect from this kid of chain bar. It definitely does well in combining classier elements of the Stonegate Quarter while still appealing to a more commercial mass market but it’s a little too generic, loud and pricey for us; especially considering what beer is on offer. If you can cope with the loud music and hectic atmosphere then it’s certainly worth a look in.
