-The Judges Lodgings-
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Look & Feel:
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Toilets:
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Review:
For many years Judges was always our first port of call so it was somewhat disappointing over time to watch it wither and die and become an empty lifeless bar until eventually it ceased trading altogether. Thankfully Thwaites Brewery picked it up and after an epic period of renovation in 2014, injecting a cool £2.2 million into the hotel and bar they have not only brought the bar back to life but vastly improved every aspect of it. There is a total redesign of the interior with a new central access door and cosy warren of plushly furnished rooms, the bar now moved to the rear in a brightly lit conservatory area and stocking a mix of 6 safe real ales, mostly from Thwaites at slightly higher prices. They even have their own Warsteiner beer tank which you can view in the entrance lobby, supplying brewery fresh lager. Upstairs is mainly set aside for dining but the round wood panelled hotel bar is an impressive addition, supplying more drinks to the rear terrace, a large relaxing decked area that’s perfectly secluded during the day, although it does close rather early. The toilets have been vastly improved and with the new entrance so has access to the basement bar. But of course Judges main attraction is their stunning beer garden to the front, always a great space this too has had a makeover with new walling and seating, making a great area truly brilliant. It’s the perfect place in warmer times to sit under the ancient trees and watch the world go by, one of the best outside spaces available in York! Unfortunately in more recent times Judges as been a victim of its own success. Now heavily frequented with race-goer types, it can be overly rowdy and the bar badly managed meaning very long waits to get served even early doors. The high class look of the building seems to attract a certain type of clientele and it is no longer as appealing as it once was even with the great beer garden.
For many years Judges was always our first port of call so it was somewhat disappointing over time to watch it wither and die and become an empty lifeless bar until eventually it ceased trading altogether. Thankfully Thwaites Brewery picked it up and after an epic period of renovation in 2014, injecting a cool £2.2 million into the hotel and bar they have not only brought the bar back to life but vastly improved every aspect of it. There is a total redesign of the interior with a new central access door and cosy warren of plushly furnished rooms, the bar now moved to the rear in a brightly lit conservatory area and stocking a mix of 6 safe real ales, mostly from Thwaites at slightly higher prices. They even have their own Warsteiner beer tank which you can view in the entrance lobby, supplying brewery fresh lager. Upstairs is mainly set aside for dining but the round wood panelled hotel bar is an impressive addition, supplying more drinks to the rear terrace, a large relaxing decked area that’s perfectly secluded during the day, although it does close rather early. The toilets have been vastly improved and with the new entrance so has access to the basement bar. But of course Judges main attraction is their stunning beer garden to the front, always a great space this too has had a makeover with new walling and seating, making a great area truly brilliant. It’s the perfect place in warmer times to sit under the ancient trees and watch the world go by, one of the best outside spaces available in York! Unfortunately in more recent times Judges as been a victim of its own success. Now heavily frequented with race-goer types, it can be overly rowdy and the bar badly managed meaning very long waits to get served even early doors. The high class look of the building seems to attract a certain type of clientele and it is no longer as appealing as it once was even with the great beer garden.
