White Horse & Griffin, Whitby

A small pub located in an attractive pedestrianised shopping street, it was perhaps a coaching inn at one time going on the arched entrance and passageway running alongside the pub, and as a consequence it is really quite narrow internally with the main bar area being little more than a corridor, with the only seating options being a few high stools on one side adjacent to a ledge. Décor wise it’s quite traditional, although the chandelier hanging from the ceiling hints at some former grandeur, perhaps. There are rough wooden boards on the floor, grey paintwork on the walls and some black wood panelling in places on the lower part of the walls, as well as a small fireplace piled with logs. Down a few steps at the rear it opens out a little in to a much cosier area with exposed stone walling on one side, rough white plasterwork elsewhere and white wood panelling on the ceiling. This seemed very much more geared up for eating though, with all tables occupied by diners on our visit. In fact, going on how busy the restaurant was compared to the pretty much deserted pub, I’d say at least 95% of their income must be from food, which seems a shame as it’s quite an atmospheric little pub. Beers on tap were both from Timothy Taylor with their Landlord and Boltmaker, whilst the solitary cider was something called South West Orchards which was a new one on me, but it went down well.

Small, narrow, but very atmospheric pub with two restaurants, although only the downstairs one was open on our 2 visits. The first time we called in the place was pretty full i.e. there were 8 of us. We got chatting to 3 older guys who were on their annual Whitby pub crawl, they were good fun. The second time we called in it was quiet with only the small table taken by another couple. My pint of Boltmaker was in good nick on both visits. We had a look at the menu which looked interesting, we may well eat here next time we're in Whitby. Interesting place.

A very narrow but basic Victorian looking place, there’s a bigger restaurant at the back. Bare boards with tongue & groove, just one small table and the rest is drinking shelves with taller stools. It has an half counter in the rear left corner housing two pulls of Taylor’s, Landlord and Boltmaker in so so condition. Three national kegs on a small T-bar.

Very narrow pub with the bar to the left end before a dining area takes over. Two weakish hand pumps. Strange layout.

Very narrow bar area but it does open up as you get further in. 2 beers on when I visited - Black Sheep and Landlord which was fine.

The long, narrow room to which the front door admits has a narrow bar at the end, with a restaurant through a doorway behind and a lounge upstairs. Two people were just in front of me and they, like me in my turn, were offered the chance to take our drinks up to the lounge, but I was quite content to remain downstairs where there are a few chairs to perch on, and so were they. It's far from publike and I couldn't help thinking that more could have been made of this room, but I suppose that at busier times it is not much more than a foyer and the real money is made from diners and those staying the night. The beer I had, Black Sheep Bitter, was in decent condition but I wouldn't return here unless on a mission to drink in every pub on Queen Street, for example. Date of visit: 11th March 2018