The Falcon, York

This pub was featured many years ago in a local precursor of what became Camra's inventory of nationally important pub interiors, but by the time I came to check it out it had been converted to a late night drinking den. Remnants of the latter are easier to spot in this new incarnation than the older features for which it was once celebrated - the corridor from the front door has been preserved to a certain extent, but multiple applications of wallpaper and paint mean the imagination is overstretched when attempting to appreciate what was once here. The bar, strangely, is in the back room and had five hand pumps at the time of my visit, with three ales and a cider. The ales featured three beer types that I normally avoid for one reason or another: oyster stout because I'm a vegetarian, and pale beers flavoured with New World hops because I know from experience that I don't like them. (I went for the mosaic rather than the chinook, just on the basis that is was lower abv.) Anyway, the long and the short of it is, I can't find the same enthusiasm for this pub that the previous reviewer had. A combination of the disappointment in the way the old pub interior has been mucked about and the beer offering being too modern and trendy resulted in an underwhelming experience. Date of visit: 21st October 2017

I've been hearing some good reports about this pub in its new guise so I had a flying visit while otherwise occupied in York. The front bar was fairly desolate with no beers showing and just a couple of odd punters. Through the back things have certainly looked up since my last visit. There are now six hand pumps plus five keg taps and suitably hipster looking staff. Quality was spot on although my beer was decidedly "murky" (it was meant to be and was badged as unfined). Still a little spartan but a vast improvement on before.

Very much improved since my previous visit. Interior smartened up with 6 real ales and "craft keg" served. 2 real ale taps in the front bar and 4 in the bar at the rear. 2 floor patio area at the very back.

I liked this friendly pub we called in a couple of days ago. The beer chosen was Cotleigh Honey Buzzard and Brass Castle Mosaic from the selection on offer. A corridor separated the 2 bar areas front and back, and there was a drinking and smoking area set up at the back, plus some stairs to a comfy terrace with plenty of tables.

The Falcon Tap consists of two bars, the smaller of which is found at the front of the pub. In here is some seating and low background music. The only television screen is for the security cameras so don’t expect to catch any football. On the bar are two hand pumps and some premium lager options. The rear bar is larger and labelled as a lounge bar. To be honest I found this bar to be more comfortable than the front. The bar supports another four hand pumps alongside the same draught options as encountered previously. An advertisement promotes a ‘buy five pints and get the sixth free’ deal so groups are welcomed, unlike some pubs in the area. Out the back is a covered smoking and seating area and an upstairs seating area that was closed for refurbishment. This may not be a remarkable pub, but I found the service to be friendly and would have no problem popping back in if passing.