Three Cranes, York

It was very lively in the Three Cranes during a recent late Thursday afternoon visit, mostly with middle aged women singing and dancing to loud 70s disco music. The pub is split into two with a front bar area that has a L-shaped bar counter in the left rear corner that faces banquettes and tables. There is also a dartboard, good luck trying to play when it’s busy! Standard keg was available and the three hand pumps were drawing Tetleys, TT Landlord and a decent pint of Ossett Brewery’s Yorkshire Blonde. A step up through the doorway at the rear leads to a back bar with a high table and three normal height copper topped tables. The brick fireplace on the rear wall contains three lit up cranes, as per the pub’s name. Jugs hang from the roof beams, to be honest any other décor is minimal. The toilet at the rear is very small, and some of the locals obviously have directional issues because if the floor was any wetter I’d have needed a snorkel. Upon entering I thought this was going to be a shitshow, but the friendly service and great atmosphere meant that I enjoyed my visit and would return if passing.

Attractive façade to this pub, particularly the large mural sign in the centre. Once inside, you find a surprisingly - given its city-centre location - traditional two-room establishment that seems more focused on the locals than the tourists. Fairly basic furniture and decor in both parts. Three real ales on handpump: Tetley's Cask, John Smith's Cask (£3.10) and Pedigree.