Lysander Arms, York

Pretty much still as Graham describes, long and thin with a club vibe. There’s another shorter room at the back which is more for dining, with a garden beyond. It has a big screen over the bar back, while the front right corner has a stage and mixing desk. The beers are slightly different, Doombar is still the only cask but reached the end when I ordered it; the bar staff were apologetic and changed it when I alerted them. The fresh on replacement managed a good score. On the keg front nothing daft just Guinness, Carling; Madri and John Smiths from Taddy; Stella, Coors, and a couple of ciders. The middle of the counter has a cooler selling bottles and chocolate bars. Piped music and a duo of machines complement the pool table and dart board at the left hand end. Seating is in booths, banquettes and some wicker armchairs, obviously a few pictures of Lysander aircraft decorate the walls, the Chinese lanterns remain. Small premium is charged on half pints. Not too bad.

This was the clubhouse for a small caravan park, built on the site of an old airfield - hence the name, which has since become surrounded by housing and industrial estates so it is a little tricky to find. It is now more of a 'proper' pub, but still feels a bit clubbish, perhaps because it is a low rise building and centres on one big room with tidy but slightly naff decor. For example a set of strange dangly lampshades over the bar seem to have come from a Chinese restaurant sale. One end has a pool table and dartboard and there are a couple of TVs, while the restaurant area behind is a bit more cosy and the staff are all friendly enough. Sadly just Doom Bar and the usual bogus Spanish lager-type stuff on the bar, otherwise it is not unpleasant. Food is slightly better quality than mainstream pubs.