-The Three-Legged Mare-
Review:
The Three-Legged Mare is one of York Brewery's last remaining pubs in the City and is named after the infamous three-legged gallows which are depicted on their sign. It is affectionately known as the Wonky Donkey and sits proudly on High Petergate between Bootham Bar and the Minster in a prime location that has a good range of pubs. I must admit that it’s been rather side-lined for quite a while as a bit of a mediocre boozer but recently something has changed and that change is good.
When Black Sheep Brewery bought York Brewery in 2019 they invested some cash into the Mare giving this old school boozer a much needed renovation. It's still a pretty simple and light three roomed space but now with fresh white walls and dark half height wood panelling throughout. The warm glow from edison style industrial wall lights softens the simple pallet and a tough new wooden bar top brings this once drab pub up to modern standards. With new bistro style tables in the entrance area and more standing room around the large bar to the right, still with the infamous piano sat opposite ready for their regular nights of live music. The Three-Legged Mare has quite a peaceful ambience most of the time, contrasting to a livelier bustling environment in the evenings. The toilets are accessed from the entrance room down a wrought iron spiral staircase into the basement and are another fast improvement seen in the recent refurbishment, they're just not the most accessible. The rest of the pub does have great access across one level though. Toward the rear is an airy conservatory which is warm and inviting during the day but a little stark later on. This in turn leads out to a large walled beer garden which unfortunately due to some planning issues still remains closed. Hopefully this can be rectified in the future as even under construction as it is it looks like it could be a superb outside space that the pub really didn't have in the past.
Despite the welcomed refurbishment what we now really need to focus on is the reason why they won CAMRA’s Spring Pub of the Season in 2018 and that is the simply phenomenal range of beers on offer. Long gone is the small selection of just York Brewery beers, some of them are still there of course along with Black Sheep too but they are now supported by an ever changing range of some of the best craft beers that are out there. With 9 hand pumps and even more keg lines to choose from you could easily hunker down for the night in the Mare and soon forget that there are other pubs in York. Not to mention their wall of craft cider boxes providing more than enough for the cider lovers out there. The price is fair enough for a city centre pub and the exceptional service and friendliness of the staff is a joy to see. This is a contemporary city boozer for the 21st Century, welcoming to all, including kids till 8pm and four-legged friends, even some three-legged! If you want good beer without the fuss then the Wonky Donkey is for you and that's why they join our ranks as one of the best pubs in York, we’ll be back again soon!
The Three-Legged Mare is one of York Brewery's last remaining pubs in the City and is named after the infamous three-legged gallows which are depicted on their sign. It is affectionately known as the Wonky Donkey and sits proudly on High Petergate between Bootham Bar and the Minster in a prime location that has a good range of pubs. I must admit that it’s been rather side-lined for quite a while as a bit of a mediocre boozer but recently something has changed and that change is good.
When Black Sheep Brewery bought York Brewery in 2019 they invested some cash into the Mare giving this old school boozer a much needed renovation. It's still a pretty simple and light three roomed space but now with fresh white walls and dark half height wood panelling throughout. The warm glow from edison style industrial wall lights softens the simple pallet and a tough new wooden bar top brings this once drab pub up to modern standards. With new bistro style tables in the entrance area and more standing room around the large bar to the right, still with the infamous piano sat opposite ready for their regular nights of live music. The Three-Legged Mare has quite a peaceful ambience most of the time, contrasting to a livelier bustling environment in the evenings. The toilets are accessed from the entrance room down a wrought iron spiral staircase into the basement and are another fast improvement seen in the recent refurbishment, they're just not the most accessible. The rest of the pub does have great access across one level though. Toward the rear is an airy conservatory which is warm and inviting during the day but a little stark later on. This in turn leads out to a large walled beer garden which unfortunately due to some planning issues still remains closed. Hopefully this can be rectified in the future as even under construction as it is it looks like it could be a superb outside space that the pub really didn't have in the past.
Despite the welcomed refurbishment what we now really need to focus on is the reason why they won CAMRA’s Spring Pub of the Season in 2018 and that is the simply phenomenal range of beers on offer. Long gone is the small selection of just York Brewery beers, some of them are still there of course along with Black Sheep too but they are now supported by an ever changing range of some of the best craft beers that are out there. With 9 hand pumps and even more keg lines to choose from you could easily hunker down for the night in the Mare and soon forget that there are other pubs in York. Not to mention their wall of craft cider boxes providing more than enough for the cider lovers out there. The price is fair enough for a city centre pub and the exceptional service and friendliness of the staff is a joy to see. This is a contemporary city boozer for the 21st Century, welcoming to all, including kids till 8pm and four-legged friends, even some three-legged! If you want good beer without the fuss then the Wonky Donkey is for you and that's why they join our ranks as one of the best pubs in York, we’ll be back again soon!