Northern Monk Refectory, York

New opening for the Leeds brewery and much smaller than their Holbeck establishment. Housed in an older building it consists of two adjoining rooms, a small room by the entrance with banquettes and tables and to the right a larger one containing the counter. Two ranks of bench and low booth seating dominate the centre here while at the end and to the front wall are separate tables and chairs of different heights and sizes. In the corner is a larger table with banquette seating, I think it would seat a dozen people, more if they were close friends. Stripped brick forms the walls decorated with the odd ad type picture and foliage, the lighting is industrial style but thank goodness no cable tray. The counter has a tiled front and steel top, a collection of spirits sit on two sets of shelving which also carry the beer listing boards. 18 keg taps with seven Northern Monk beers and two casks on one board and eight guest kegs and a cider on the other. Two hand pulls on the counter, one at work serving Eternal in decent condition, the other clipless and the 18 keg taps are mounted on a steel sheet on the back wall with copper pipework visible behind. Shelves at one end hold “merch” for sale and snacks of the street food variety are available. I was surprised at paying under a fiver for my pint of Eternal in central York. Toilets upstairs.

Official site of Northern Monk Refectory - www.northernmonk.com

Official site of Northern Monk Refectory - www.northernmonk.com