The Hop, York

I too thought that this one didn't look much like a pub from the outside. Indeed I suspect that its main focus is on the pizzeria side of the business, as there is more seating down at the far end that looked like it was dedicated to that trade than there was near the front where the bar counter and handpumps are sited. I also noticed an enormous portrait of Charles II down at the pizzeria end of the room, and some hogsheads on a shelf above the entrance. It's a nice enough place, and the ale selection is certainly up there with the best of them, but I don't reckon it's the sort of place for a quiet drink. It started to get very lively on the Saturday afternoon on which we visited (some would say buzzing and lively, others might say noisy and brash), but I enjoyed the hour or so we sat in the sun by the front window watching people walk up and down Fossgate.

My initial impressions on seeing the outside of this place were that it looked a bit gaudy and the sign "Real Ale and Pizzeria" had me wondering what the real priorities were going to be. Once inside however I really liked the place, it is big enough to comfortably cater for drinkers and those in search of a pizza. Ceilings are very high, floors are generally tiled as is a wall alongside the bar so I'd expect quite a din when the place is very busy. The pizzeria is at the far end, past the side bar and the oven can be seen through an arch in an exposed brick wall. The menu is on a wall, they look decent value from £6.50 for a basic Margherita up to £9 for something called a Bosco. The pub is clearly affiliated in some way with Ossett Brewery, several of their beers being on the range of handpumps, Columbia Creek, Blonde, Big Red, Silver King and Excelsior plus Rat White Rat. Others were Fernandes Nightjar, Half Moon Hull Moon and Great Heck Voodoo Mild. Janet's Jungle Juice and Abrahall's Cracklin' Rosie were the ciders. There is also a row of craft keg fonts. Décor includes portraits of various Dukes of York and the famous nursery rhyme is displayed on a wooden board. A feature wall of mirrors contains further inscriptions of songs and ditties. A small stage along the side towards the rear suggests live music features sometimes.