Lendal Cellars, York

As previously described, housed in three brick arches giving a subterranean feel, although it has been tarted up with various pink and fairy lighting which makes it feel more like an evening party venue. It does have a small terrace out the back, but the interior still suffers from a bit of a musty smell. Just IPA and Abbot on pump on this visit, with a guest Ainsty brew having run out. A very different pub to most of those in the centre and not unpleasant for a quick pint, although probably best avoided on busy evenings.

Strangely my first visit here, perhaps the ownership put me off but only one of the six cask beers was from the Suffolk sludge meisters. As people have said before it’s brick cellars supposedly from a medieval monastery but with thin Tudor bricks forming arches. I went up to the counter directly in front when entering, I could hear staff but no other sign of life, traipsing round to the adjacent arch the four of them were having a good old chinwag. A nice greeting and immediate service improved things no end only to be let down by a dirty glass with various lumps of pony stuck on it. A bit pricey at £4.10 a pint for a 4% IPA but it wasn’t in bad nick. Sadly I missed out on the 10% Camra discount.

The rest of my group had thought this place had closed, owing to the preponderance of Jamie Oliver signs in the entrance. Happily I prevailed and we went down the steps to the bar. Decent enough choice of real ales on the right hand bar. This one is now back on the list!

Tucked away just off St. Helen’s Square, this is, as it’s name suggests, a subterranean bar consisting of three brick lined vaulted tunnels. The two higher level tunnels are broadly similar, with each having a flagstone floor and a bar counter at the end, although only one of these was actually open when we visited. Various arty pictures and wine crate ends were dotted around the walls. The lower level down a few steps to the side is broadly similar but extends much further back and the flooring is mostly wood strip giving it a slightly cosier feel. There were a couple of plasma screens around showing a sports channel, but these were mostly recessed in to alcoves with the volume off, so were not too intrusive. Despite being a Greene King pub, the beer choice was surprisingly broad and on this occasion consisted of their own IPA, Stoodley Stout, Collingham Journeyman, Treboom Tambourine Man and Collingham Artisans. Ciders too were well represented with Strongbow, Aspall’s Suffolk, Old Rosie and some concoction with wild berries from Rekorderlig.