-Pavement Vaults-
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Look & Feel:
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Toilets:
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Review:
Having stood empty and pretty much derelict for nearly three decades it was very pleasing to see the Old White Swan Hotel and what used to be Jessops begin to be renovated and used for something other than squatters. With lots of supermarkets popping up on such sites it was a little worrying as what exactly this iconic building would eventually become. Then came along Pivovar, the hugely successful company which pretty much launched the craft ale revolution in York with Pivni . We were sure when they announced that it would be a progressive smokehouse barbeque canteen with their usual all-encompassing selection of craft ales that we were in safe hands and we can happily say they fully delivered on that promise.
The new exterior of the bar is predominantly glazed in a style that is reminiscent of Victorian shop fronts and blends in well beneath the mock Tudor of the original 1912 hotel. Within is a large space centred round a huge wrap around bar, the space being zoned into distinct seating areas, as you would expect from a bar in which the focus is food as well as beer. The Victorian steampunk feel is mixed with contemporary simple pastel coloured wood cladding, metro tiles, open brickwork and a very impressive silver pressed ceiling. It’s a light and airy bar that rarely seems to be quiet, a constant stream of hustle and bustle which is understandable as with 8 cask ales and 12 keg lines, all of which show a massive range of beer styles. You could easily spend the entire evening there and not drink the same thing twice. Prices are at a premium here though, with such choice comes extra cost but it does seem like it’s aimed at ripping off tourists. Below ground level is accessed at one side by a beautiful wrought iron spiral staircase descending into a more cosy and tranquil low lit area which has a line of leather clad booths and a Parisian style illuminated 'Vaults' sign. The toilets are down here too in the belly of the building; with their very own cellar-like arches you can see why they chose the old name of a long gone Cameron’s pub from across the road. Obviously due to its location there is no outside space and apart from the basement floor access is good. Unfortunately in more recent times there has been a bit of a snobby shift with people frequently being turned away at the doors for a variety of weak reasons, whether they’ve simple become too elitist or are trying to shift their focus to dining we’re not sure but if you can’t get in then it can no longer be placed at the top of our recommendations, a poor downward spiral in our estimations .
Having stood empty and pretty much derelict for nearly three decades it was very pleasing to see the Old White Swan Hotel and what used to be Jessops begin to be renovated and used for something other than squatters. With lots of supermarkets popping up on such sites it was a little worrying as what exactly this iconic building would eventually become. Then came along Pivovar, the hugely successful company which pretty much launched the craft ale revolution in York with Pivni . We were sure when they announced that it would be a progressive smokehouse barbeque canteen with their usual all-encompassing selection of craft ales that we were in safe hands and we can happily say they fully delivered on that promise.
The new exterior of the bar is predominantly glazed in a style that is reminiscent of Victorian shop fronts and blends in well beneath the mock Tudor of the original 1912 hotel. Within is a large space centred round a huge wrap around bar, the space being zoned into distinct seating areas, as you would expect from a bar in which the focus is food as well as beer. The Victorian steampunk feel is mixed with contemporary simple pastel coloured wood cladding, metro tiles, open brickwork and a very impressive silver pressed ceiling. It’s a light and airy bar that rarely seems to be quiet, a constant stream of hustle and bustle which is understandable as with 8 cask ales and 12 keg lines, all of which show a massive range of beer styles. You could easily spend the entire evening there and not drink the same thing twice. Prices are at a premium here though, with such choice comes extra cost but it does seem like it’s aimed at ripping off tourists. Below ground level is accessed at one side by a beautiful wrought iron spiral staircase descending into a more cosy and tranquil low lit area which has a line of leather clad booths and a Parisian style illuminated 'Vaults' sign. The toilets are down here too in the belly of the building; with their very own cellar-like arches you can see why they chose the old name of a long gone Cameron’s pub from across the road. Obviously due to its location there is no outside space and apart from the basement floor access is good. Unfortunately in more recent times there has been a bit of a snobby shift with people frequently being turned away at the doors for a variety of weak reasons, whether they’ve simple become too elitist or are trying to shift their focus to dining we’re not sure but if you can’t get in then it can no longer be placed at the top of our recommendations, a poor downward spiral in our estimations .
