Fossgate Tap, York

We found ourselves taking refuge here for a swift early evening beer as everywhere else in York ahead of Christmas seemed to be full. At least we found a seat. As others have mentioned, this as much an eating as a drinking spot and plenty were eating. It's all fairly formulaic with lots of scrubbed pine, blue and white paint and a standard menu. You wouldn't necessarily choose it as the ideal venue for a pint. Beers on were: Roosters California Common, Sonnet Athenaeum 43, Atom Dark Matter, Atom Quantum State, Bad Seed Kiwi and Bad Co. Love over Gold. I forget what I went for but it wasn't the freshest being slightly cloudy and flat. There are also 16 keg beers available which included breweries such as Tiny Rebel, Lagunitas and Meantime so perhaps these are the lower risk option here. A useful spot for a beer when York is very busy but it's unlikely to make it to the top of my visiting list ordinarily.

This pub occupies several shop units at the top of Fossgate, with the entrance though a small seating area on the corner of Pavement which would make a nice snug if it weren't for people traipsing through from time to time. The bar is badly organised, with the six hand pumps partially obscured by a pile of table reserved notices. There were plenty of staff, but most of them were taking food orders and then spending ages inputting them into the computer - very inefficient; this left just one person serving drinks and to be fair he was doing his best. My half of Bad Co Whiter Shade of Pale was not very good (see photos for other beers on at the time of my visit); not only insipid but lifeless too. As well as half a dozen hand pumps there were numerous keg offerings, but this is clearly not what most customers were here for: on a Saturday afternoon this is very much a place where people come to eat. Date of visit: 21st October 2017

Really liked this bar. Great selection on the bar when we were there yesterday. Fallen Grapevine, Fullers Summer Ale, Saltaire Elderflower Blonde, Black Iris Endless Summer and Atom Pale Ale. Upstairs quite quirky with separate rooms going off the long corridor. It was popular and the beers we had were good. Lots of variety for those who like the keg beers, and they also do cocktails if that is what your choice is. Will be back.

Sutlers Bar is a new addition to the York pub scene. Once inside there is a long narrow room which runs the width of the pub,this room is roughly divided into three areas,the bar is in the middle area,the seating hers is small stools,the right side has normal tables and chairs,the left side is larger and down a few steps. There was a good choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Lees MPA which went down very well,the other beers i noted were Ainsty Wankled Waggon,Robinsons Dizzy Blonde and Hop Studio India,there was also a selection of craft keg beers. The pub was very busy on my Saturday afternoon visit. I quite liked this place.