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Whether it’s restaurants, clubs, bars, or something more cultured you are after, here is The Yorker’s comprehensive guide to some of the great student haunts your Freshers Guide might not tell you about, (and what the second and third years won’t want you to know about).
Take-aways will no doubt become an integral part of your diet now you have to cook for yourself, but as good as Efes and China Kitchen are, why not try heading a little of the Campus-track and going to some lesser known restaurants. A way of making eating out as cheap as a takeaway is to head to places like Bay of Bengal, on Bishopthorpe Road. With a wide selection of quality curries at reasonable prices, the best part is it’s a Bring your own Booze (BOYB) restaurant. With a Sainsbury’s on the way up the road from town you can collect a bottle of £2.09 Red to accompany it.
If you’re out for the night, the ridiculously long queue in Vodka Revolution may provide you with the perfect opportunity to venture to pastures new. Whilst many bars offer fantastic, reasonably priced cocktails, heading further up Micklegate on the left you will find Monty’s Rock Cafe, where 2 for 1 cocktails are offered before 11pm on Tuesdays and 5 shots for a fiver! Rapidly becoming a student favourite, it’s cosier and there’s a more of a Micklegate atmosphere.
For all real-ale drinkers the stop has to be Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, on Micklegate. Once York’s only non-smoking pub, since the widespread ban it’s positive points are now its food and large selection of real-ales available.
Although the Postern Gate Spoons may be handily located coming from Campus, it’s only one of York’s two Wetherspoons. As a re-generated pub, The Punchbowl (at the top of Micklegate) has retained some of its old-pub charm and offers a more relaxed atmosphere for a quiet pint on a Sunday. Here you can take advantage of a roast dinner at student prices. Probably not quite like Mum’s, but still, it’s better than pasta!
For a bit of a bit of a change from Coney Street on a shopping day, why not head down to Bootham. It’s technically the York St. John side of town, which is probably why York students don’t venture there much. However, there’s a range of different bars and some quirky shops to buy some alternative Christmas presents from.
Once you’ve worked up a hunger, venture down the Shambles (an obvious must see attraction) to Mr Sandwich. One of Yorkshire’s most popular Sandwich outlets, and a favourite local and student haunt, sandwiches are made with fresh ingredients. Always with a queue worming its way down the cobbled street at lunchtime, Mr Sandwich offers ultimate value for money, with all sandwiches only £1!
Alternatively, head to the Hog Roast on Goodramgate, or for a café atmosphere, look no further than Piglet’s on Swinegate Court East, which offers a wide range of lunchtime snacks and cakes in a quiet, but sociable atmosphere.
One of my personal favourites for pure indulgence has to be Jim Garrahy’s Fudge Kitchen. Located on Low Petergate, it offers tasty freshly made fudge in a wide range of flavours. Although a little on the expensive side, your money will be well spent if you need to buy a special gift for a friend or family member.
Probably one of the weakest points about York city centre is the lack of cinema choice. Whilst you may not think twice about paying that bit more at the City Screen, you could always try one of the many theatres. York Theatre Royal may be the obvious choice as student ticket prices are just £3.50, but the Friargate Theatre is also worth a visit. You may not become a regular at the productions, but at half the price of some cinema tickets, why not risk the change?
In telling you a few of these secrets, The Yorker hopes that new students will however, continue to explore the city in the hope of discovering another one of York’s gems which students will love to patronise (and whatever you do, don't tell York St. John).
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