-Shambles Tavern-
44 The Shambles, York, YO10 7LX.
01904 633005
01904 633005
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Review:
If you’re after a slightly different drinking experience then the Shambles Tavern is the perfect place for you. Situated towards the top end of the beautiful and historic cobbled street you would be fooled into thinking this was just another tourist gift shop if it wasn’t for the five hand pumps peeking up from the counter, that and the impressive wall of cans and bottles which characterises the small front area of the Tavern.
Down a narrow corridor and past a huge coat of armour there is a very pleasant back room more in the style of a tea shop with dark timber beams and walls adorned with many pictures and paintings of York. It is slightly touristy but it’s also not like any other pub in York, with a very personal feel almost like being welcomed into someone’s front room. The staff were wonderfully chatty and very friendly, emphatically telling us that this was now a Tavern not a pub, a place to socialise in an intimate atmosphere surrounded by many great and local beers. They even have not one but three of their very own beers always available on the bar brewed exclusively for them by Rudgate Brewery.
Despite its size there always seems to be a little space you can find to make your own, whether that's propped at the bar in the front room, the back room or the cosy first floor space, which is also used for events and has extremely creaky floorboards which just add to the sense of history of the building. They also have regular live acoustic music. More recently they've taken over space within the Shambles Market itself with access through the back room, you can grab a spot on one of the benches beneath the canopy of the market and watch the busy shoppers milling past. It's a nice open space and with the permanent market roof a dry spot all year round.
Prices for their house cask beers are a little above average but you are paying for the location. I can't imaging rent on the Shambles is cheap and it's great to see the Shambles Tavern weathering the storm of recent years. Overall access to the ground floor is great and there are no complaints about the single shared toilet either, again another thing that makes it feel a bit like someone’s home rather than a pub. The Shambles Tavern has great character, plenty of locally produced beers to choose from and a very friendly relaxed atmosphere, it's certainly a different vibe than York’s usual drinking establishments and for that alone it is worth battling the queues of people wanting to buy magic sticks on the Shambles to visit.
If you’re after a slightly different drinking experience then the Shambles Tavern is the perfect place for you. Situated towards the top end of the beautiful and historic cobbled street you would be fooled into thinking this was just another tourist gift shop if it wasn’t for the five hand pumps peeking up from the counter, that and the impressive wall of cans and bottles which characterises the small front area of the Tavern.
Down a narrow corridor and past a huge coat of armour there is a very pleasant back room more in the style of a tea shop with dark timber beams and walls adorned with many pictures and paintings of York. It is slightly touristy but it’s also not like any other pub in York, with a very personal feel almost like being welcomed into someone’s front room. The staff were wonderfully chatty and very friendly, emphatically telling us that this was now a Tavern not a pub, a place to socialise in an intimate atmosphere surrounded by many great and local beers. They even have not one but three of their very own beers always available on the bar brewed exclusively for them by Rudgate Brewery.
Despite its size there always seems to be a little space you can find to make your own, whether that's propped at the bar in the front room, the back room or the cosy first floor space, which is also used for events and has extremely creaky floorboards which just add to the sense of history of the building. They also have regular live acoustic music. More recently they've taken over space within the Shambles Market itself with access through the back room, you can grab a spot on one of the benches beneath the canopy of the market and watch the busy shoppers milling past. It's a nice open space and with the permanent market roof a dry spot all year round.
Prices for their house cask beers are a little above average but you are paying for the location. I can't imaging rent on the Shambles is cheap and it's great to see the Shambles Tavern weathering the storm of recent years. Overall access to the ground floor is great and there are no complaints about the single shared toilet either, again another thing that makes it feel a bit like someone’s home rather than a pub. The Shambles Tavern has great character, plenty of locally produced beers to choose from and a very friendly relaxed atmosphere, it's certainly a different vibe than York’s usual drinking establishments and for that alone it is worth battling the queues of people wanting to buy magic sticks on the Shambles to visit.
