Blue Boar , York

I picked up a leaflet in the Three Tuns which advertises both itself and this pub, so they may be sister pubs. This one does not appear to be a Marstons house though, and had Timothy Taylor beers on plus various guests. The Landlord was fine. Like the other pub they had the third pint offer for 3 different beers, and quotes around the walls. Also had a good food menu.

Formerly the Little John the old name was restored in 2013, the Blue Boar is a split level pub with the entrance via the side alley. The front sitting room overlooks Castlegate is carpeted and is traditionally furnished with tables and chairs. At a slightly higher level in the middle of the pub is the serving area with a short counter, floorboards and tall tables and chairs characterise this part of the pub. At the rear a flight of stairs leads down to a vaulted cellar which I didn't explore, not due to stories of Dick Turpin's ghost haunting it but just no time. Five handpulls dispense two Timothy Taylors (Golden Best and Landlord); two Theakstons (OP and Best) and an Ossett, there's also a couple of lagers and Guinness. Service was fine from youngish staff in branded polo shirts, the customers also 30somethings with a few younger and older. Plain white walls with little in the way of decoration, there is a quiz machine and a bandit as well as constant piped music. Food from a usual pub style menu is served as this is the heart of tourist York but prices were average. The Dick Turpin connection is that the Essex thug's body was brought here and put on display after his execution, at a penny a head.