The Blue Bell, York

Official site of The Blue Bell - bluebellyork.com

Official site of The Blue Bell - bluebellyork.com

With more time touring York's pubs than I'd bargained for due to the postponement of a football match, I decided to return to a York favourite of mine which I hadn't been in since 2016. I chanced my arm to try to get a table in the tiny front bar and managed to succeed. Just 4 other customers were in there, leaving a small table next to the bar. The slightly larger rear room can be reached along a corridor. The Blue Bell is a classic unspoiled local boozer with a really friendly atmosphere. It's intimate nature means that you can't fail to get involve in group conversations with a young humurous gaffer holding court admirably. Despite being small, the Blue Bell can still manage to hold a decent real ale selection. The house beer is Brass Castle Blue Bell IPA. Other regular beers are Wold Top Bitter, Bradfield Farmer's Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild & Timothy Taylor Landlord. It looks like they stock guest beers at busier times. Boxed ciders were all from Weston's - Old Rosie, Rosie's Pig & Rosie's Pig Rhubarb. My Wold Top Bitter was in good shape. This is undoubtedly one of the highlights amongst York's wonderful list of pubs.

Just one question - how have I never posted a review before? A familiar haunt with guaranteed decent beers, made even better by a bunch of old regulars so it feels more like a proper pub than a beer tickers venue. Head for the back lounge rather than the tiny front bar if you can.

First pub in a day of Camra GBG ticking in York. Well, at least those that I could find open on a Monday Lunch. This is bigger than it looks on the outside but still small - if that makes any sense. A corridor leads to a tiny front bar room and a bigger back room. The front room bar door sticks badly - so you cannot help but make a spectacular entrance to the people that may or may not be gathered on the four tables available. Friendly locals and staff and a very lovely and lively TT Landlord. A good start to the day.