The King William, York

A conventional estate pub, hidden in the depths of one of Acomb's estates and meeting most of its stereotypes. The brick and tarmac exterior is not especially welcoming, indeed I had to look twice to see if it was open. Inside is one large room extending round the central bar, decorated in cream and maroon, with a carpet that has seen better days and footie memorabilia in all directions. Some 1980s stained glass panels top the bar and feature on a few dividers. One side of the room has a dart board while a raised area beyond had a load of stacked furniture and what looked like a folded casino table, possibly for poker. No obvious sign of a pool table but it could be under the furniture. At the back there is a garden which has lots of homemade-looking wooden shelters, perhaps a Covid hangover. Very few taps on the bar, in fact only John Smiths Smooth crap, Carling, Guinness and a cider, although just to tease there is still a John Smiths Cask handpump which apparently has been out of use for years. The locals seemed friendly enough - ok they ignored me entirely and were mostly interested in an obscure race meeting on the TV. I am glad it survives as a pub but I can't say I would return.

Looks like a classic estate pub but sadly not open on a Friday lunchtime so I can’t comment. Supposedly no real ale which I can believe, perhaps John Smiths Smooth crap is still available.