An experiment in drinking: Alternative places for a pint

The Rook and Gaskill

12 Lawrence St

The Rook and Gaskill

Two men who were hanged in the area for stealing some sheep gave this pub its name. Luckily however, this incident occurred back in the 17th century and there are now no hangings (or many sheep for that matter) in the area; just nooses on the pub sign and windows to remind you of the past.

There is a wide selection of beers, including no less than 20 real ales; situated just outside the old city walls, this pub makes a good pint-stop on your way to and from town. As we walked in we noticed the low ceiling and walls covered in beermats, and posters advertising the wide selection on offer. I had Duvel in a bottle, a strong (8.5 percent but it doesn’t taste like it) Belgian ale, and my inexperienced flatmate asked the bemused barman for the most ‘lagerish’ beer on offer. He served her Bitburger, a famous German beer with a light, refreshing taste.

This is a typical, inexpensive and unpretentious Yorkshire pub, a bit claustrophobic on a summer’s evening, but with plenty of atmosphere.

Ko Ko

31 Goodramgate

Ko Ko

One of my favourites, just around the corner from the back of the Minster, this bar in its 15th century building looks fairly traditional York, but has an international owner and serves over 100 traditional beers! Don’t panic though, the staff are happy to chat over your choice with you, whether you feel like a light fruity Fruli, a honey flavoured Barbar (both Belgian beers), or one of the real ales on offer, a bit on the heavy side for some tastes but other people love them...

From beers on tap to fridges brimming with bottles, the choice is endless, and there are really too many here to mention. It is even worth going just for the glasses; my pint of Fruli was served in a long, thin glass that made me feel like I was getting so much more than just a pint. Even my anti-beer flatmate tried some and said she "Fruli loved it", although whether that’s a selling point or not, I’m not sure!

A great bar if you are feeling experimental, with a cosy atmosphere and tables overlooking the street so that you can people-watch as you enjoy a pint, or several. It’s packed on a Saturday though, so go early or go on a weekday if you want your own table.

Evil Eye Lounge

42 Stonegate

OK, I know this place is extremely popular with students, but it does deserve a mention due to its extensive drinks menu, including a variety of beers (Belgian, Mexican, Peruvian, French, Bavarian, Italian, Polish and, oh yes, Yorkshire) replete with interesting descriptions to help you order. Corona is accurately described as "A not very pleasant but common beer with a lime gimmick"!

I was ashamed to admit a liking for Desperados, a sweet beer flavoured with tequila and lime; "Love it or hate it" the menu advises. Attracted by the words "Made from pure Andean Water 1800ft high", a friend ordered Cusquena, a Peruvian beer, although he found it slightly disappointing as the less than chilled temperature failed to do much to set off its mountainous origins. The reliable Duvel is also on offer here, despite its mysterious absence from the menu.

The cocktails are good but they are quite pricey (£4-6 for one), and I’m focussing on the beers here.

The Yorkshire Terrier

10 Stonegate

Inside The Yorkshire Terrier

This little pub is popular with the locals, serving an interesting range of ales, including of course the famous Yorkshire Terrier, the Yorkshire man’s best friend, which you can taste before buying. There is a quiz night every Thursday, a bit more challenging than the Charles quiz but nonetheless enjoyable, and it costs just 50p to enter - or you can sit back and listen to the friendly chat of the regulars propping up the bar.

We spotted a wooden sign with the following advertisement: "WANTED: Odd job man to wash dishes and two waitresses". Earning a bit of cash washing dishes was not unappealing, but we were slightly daunted by the prospect of being washed by the odd job man!

A sign inside The Yorkshire Terrier

Despite these reservations, it is a pleasant place to sit and only a few doors down from Evil Eye, a good link in the chain for this alternative bar-crawl. If you are impressed, return during the day time to stock up on bottled beers and ales at the pub’s very own York Brewery gift shop.

Lendal Cellars

26 Lendal

Enjoy a pint in the dimly lit underground cellars, once the cellars of a 13th century friary! This pub is frequented by the York Erasmus society, but otherwise is sadly unknown to many students. Although a bit on the dark side, there is a spacious seating area ideal for larger groups, with a selection of inexpensive drinks and, for those who like their ales, there is a choice of Greene King ales and five rotating guest real ales on offer.

Tucked away from the street this is a fairly quiet pub, strides away from City Screen cinema, making it the ideal venue for a post-film pint.

Duvel

The Deramore

Main St, Heslington

Not strictly alternative, I know, but this pub is only a stone’s throw away from campus, and if you can manage to stagger that little bit further than the popular Charles, it does have better beer! There is Leffe (a personal favourite), a Belgian brand of Abbey beer served in the traditional Leffe glasses.

The type served here is the Leffe Blonde; a strong, rich but not overly heavy ale.

This pub is frequented by York sports teams for a post-match pint, although in my opinion it should be more regularly visited by students in general. The food is good too.

These examples (and with 365 traditional pubs in York there are many more places to explore) show that York really is a great town for drinking in, and especially for trying out different beers and ales. It seems a shame to pass your time here as a student without experiencing what its more original bars and pubs have to offer, so next time you feel like a pint, or several pints, think twice before heading off to your usual favourites. An experimental pint in some of York’s most charismatic venues certainly won’t do you any harm, even if you do decide to revert back to Carling.

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