The Swan, York

I prefer this pub to its sister The Slip down the road as it is has a more traditional interior and has at least as good a range of beers on, including the occasional 'foreigner' from outside Yorkshire. I freely admit I would happily spend time in either though. On this occasion I had the Pennine Palenka Plum and Brandy Stout, which was ok but not as pokey as the name might suggest.

Final one of 6 today in York. This is a blue plaqued, Tetley Heritage pub and the interior is unchanged and perfectly pubby. A snug, corridor leading to bar and back rooms. TT Landlord has made me question by proclamation that the Bolt Maker I had in the Slip inn is the best from this brewery. Great beer.

Enjoyed our visit to this 2019 Good Beer Guide pub last month, as were a lot of lads dressed up for York races and giving everyone a bit of a sing song. We sat in the comfy back room and enjoyed our ale choice of Revolution Word up and Imperial Nah Then.

I didn’t encounter the couple of obnoxious locals and even if I had I wouldn’t penalise this lovely pub just because it let a couple of grumpy sods through its front door, especially as the locals I encountered in the back room were perfectly fine. I do like these traditional 'West Riding' layout Yorkshire Pubs with the Public Bar at the front, Smoke Room at the rear and central servery in the side corridor. Very good varied ale choice on offer, but had to go for the Northumberland Fifty Shades of Ale just because of the name. Fortunately it was a good beer. Will definitely be bringing the good lady wife back here when next in York.

Despite not looking overly alluring externally this is a lovely traditional boozer (Grade II listed), two rooms off a large drinking lobby. A 1930’s refit - there’s a tap bar feel to the front room with the rear ‘smoke room’ being the lounge, replete with bell-pushes in the seat backs and serving hatches in both. The stained glass pub name above the door looked lovely, as did the terrazzo flooring. Darts and daily papers spotted. Six ales and two ciders on at the bar, a good selection. My choice of Sonnets was in good nick. The two grumpy old locals who didn’t like their pub being busy somewhat took the edge of it a bit, still the self-appointed guardians of small-minded Britain have to be encountered occasionally. It must also be said that the rest of the pub patrons were more friendly! Bags of character and well-worth the walk out of town. Note: pub doesn’t open until 4pm on weekdays.

The Swan consists of a right hand corridor that connects front and rear rooms. The front room contains seating and a dartboard with an oche that protrudes diagonally into the centre of the room. This means that when darts is being played this room is effectively out of action. This room is served by a small section of bar, as is the larger rear room where more seating can be found. The main part of the bar is found centrally in the corridor where there is a table. For busy periods a beer shelf runs the length of the corridor. Out the back is a beer garden with some covered seating to the left and some picnic tables to the right. I counted eight hand pumps plus some standard draught fonts. This pub does not open until 16:00 during the week and midday at the weekend. There is an extension until 23:30 on Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Our group was twenty strong so we phoned the pub before our visit to make sure that it would be OK. “No problem” we were told. Unfortunately some of the locals had different ideas and I felt as welcome as a pig at a bar mitzvah. Some of the behaviour was outrageous and I was surprised that nobody was decked. This is a nice pub; it’s just a shame about some of the carnts that drink in it.

Doesn't look very remarkable from the street, but the compact historic interior features in Camra's national inventory because it retains a traditional 'West Riding' layout with a Public Bar at the front, Smoke Room at the rear and central servery in the side corridor (with a few stools and seats). Six hand pumps, offering a decent choice of real ale including Northumberland Fifty Shades of Ale and Sonnet 43 #23 Moments to Remember (£1.75, half). Well worth seeking out.