The Fat Badger, York

Food-led pub, formerly the Lamb & Lion (which still shows on the wi-fi) right by the Petergate and the western city walls. A jumble of small dining rooms plus some general seating in the compact bar, all with a traditional look with dark gastro-pub paintwork. Five cask ales on handpump, including Saltaire's Amarillo (a bit near the end of the barrel).

The Fat Badger consists of intimate seating areas that are joined by narrow corridors and steps. The wooden floors, dark wooden panels and dark mono painted walls started to jangle my ‘this is gonna be an expensive drink’ alarm, and I wasn’t wrong with half an Ossett’s White Rat coming in at £2.60. Available from the other four hand pumps were Black Sheep’s Best, York Brewery’s Guzzler, Badger Beer and TT Landlord. The keg was Brooklyn IPA, Peroni, San Miguel, Carlsberg, Guinness and a cider. The drinks are all available in the bar area to the left of the entrance where a short wood panelled counter on the rear wall faces a mix of high tables with stools and shorter copper topped tables with pew seating. Some stone steps to the rear lead up to the ‘secret’ beer garden that is overlooked by the old city walls that run up the left-hand side. I wanted to like it in here, but I thought it was a little too food orientated. Maybe I’d pop back in if passing, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to revisit.

Facebook page of The Fat Badger - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Fat Badger - www.facebook.com

A slightly contrived place tucked in behind Bootham Bar, with a maze of little rooms largely aimed at diners, more upstairs and a 'secret garden' at the back. Going for an historic sort of feel, with dingy green paintwork throughout and various prints, mainly of badgers. In the smallish bar room at the front leather upholstery is topped off with loose cushions. Beerwise it offered a good group of five assorted Yorkshire Ales from Ainsty, Black Sheep, Copper Dragon, Timothy Taylors and York Brewery, in good order and seemingly priced less than other establishments in the street.

Official site of The Fat Badger - www.thefatbadgeryork.com

Official site of The Fat Badger - www.thefatbadgeryork.com

A very nice and relaxing pub at the entrance to High petergate but at eye watering prices for York. There are six very well kept real ales with beers from York, Timothy Taylor, saltaire, Black sheep, Osset usually featuring. My pint of Saltaire Blonde was in great nick but should have been at £3.80 a pint. There are a few separate rooms and a designated dining room that are all kitted out in a nice modern style. there is a nice atmosphere in here and is a more classy drinking den that your usual boozer. I would probably only return in the summer as this has one of York's best beer gardens and has loads of tables with umbrellas that is perfect for the summer weather. A good pub but a little too pricey and pretentious for my liking.