Bay Horse, York

Obviously an old building with sloping floors down to the rear two rooms. The front bar to the right on entering is almost an unspoiled gem but not quite, one corner has been modernised a bit too far with a log burner and big telly. That aside it’s a decent pubby room with great Edwardian woodwork and glass screens, you can work out on a couple of bicycle stools if you’re so inclined. Seating is mostly at upholstered banquettes with Britannia tables and stools or cast iron based wood topped tables. Further back the rooms are a little more modern but still ok. Two small T-bars and a couple of solos in the front bar, behind down the slope are three pulls with Black Sheep and a reasonable White Rat although at £5 very overpriced, they do a £3 a pint on cask offer on Sundays, I know which day I’ll be back.

Given its proximity to Micklegate and the city centre, this old-school local comes as a bit of a surprise. The multi-room interior - no doubt altered somewhat over the years - retains a bit of understated charm in a semi-traditional way. It proclaims itself to be a John Smith's house on the façade, but the two real ales on from a total of six handpumps were both Black Sheep - the regular version and the Holy Grail (£3.35).

An old no thrills locals pub on blossom street. inside the pub is quite dated and in need of a spruce up but nothing too major. there were two sets of eight hand pulls on the bar but only two were in operation (Black sheep bitter and hobgoblin) and i suspect this is usually the case. my Black sheep was in a nice condition but not as nice as the pint i had in the longboat moments before but was cheaper at £3.10. This pub was nice enough to stop off in for a drink and was reasonably comfy with carpets and nice seating, i would return for one or two if ever around again but its nothing extremely special.

An attractive old building with three separate rooms, there is an attractive fireplace with a clock above and swan and heron motifs. Mostly carpeted, seating at green leatherette banquettes, chairs and stools. A side room has an unusable dartboard unless a major rearrangement was to take place. After a long day's crawl around York I found the sloping floor to be a bit disconcerting. I caught the last twenty minutes of the England v Lithuania game in here, a good number watching but without any bother or nonsense. Beers on were Roosters 41 degrees South and Purity Mad Goose IPA with one unclipped. Another set of three pumps at the end of the bar were unclipped too and possibly unused. B&B is available here with five en-suite rooms. Live music is advertised and there is a Thursday quiz. A solid pub with what looked to be a regular following.