La Grande Dame, Thirsk

Modern styled bar serving a standard draught selection.

One large modern room, a stylish affair with a mix of carpet, marble tiles and bareboard flooring, low tables with cream leather seating in the window area, more benches and tables down the other side, stools with backs at the bar and dark wood with cream upholstry chairs and dark wood tables in the middle. The bar counter runs across one end wall and is flanked by big screens showing music channels. Decoration on the plain earth colours painted walls is arty photographs. Mix of modern lighting and there is tasteful woodclading on the pillars. The only toilet appears to be a disabled badged one in a box in the corner, but used by everyone. Keg beers only from Fosters, Coors, Magners, Strongbow, Guinness and Kronenburg, also a limited range of bottled beers plus the usual wines and spirits served by youngish, friendly staff. Odd mix of more mature customers on my weekend late afternoon visit but it opens late nights when I am guessing the age group would be more its target of 18-30s. Thirsk's attempt at urban sophistication for this age group, it is a welcome departure from the town's largely grotty pubs and full marks for that.