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Minster Inn, York
York
YO30 7BH
Pub Type
Tenanted (Marstons)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about Minster Inn
This is a very pretty, multi-roomed pub dating from 1903 with a CAMRA heritage rating of *; as mentioned, some unnecessary Farrow & Ball paintwork has crept in. Customers were a mixed bunch of locals and office workers.
I went for a half of a conspiracy between Ossett/Thornbridge Pale Ale; delicious and BOTW.
One not to miss.
On 20th July 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2266 recommendations about 2218 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about Minster Inn
In a quiet location opposite the castle walls,this is a well preserved heritage pub with an interior that hasn't been touched by modernity and retains a series of seperate rooms.To the immediate right is the public bar and tap room,opposite which is the Parlour with a woodburner,behind that is the Study before the mosaic tiled corridor leads to a small covered garden area.All the furniture is traditional,the welcome friendly and a few seats were available under the walls which was proving to be a real suntrap.
The ale selection was TT Boltmaker,Bradfield Farmers Blonde,Rooster Easy Going Assassin and Osset x Thornbridge Pale Ale (great nick,NBSS 4.5) with a handpump for a Lilly cider.Maybe not the range of ale available elsewhere in York but this is such a charming pub it would be a grave error to omit it from any crawl around the city centre.I would certainly return for a quiet pint or three.
On 20th July 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2997 recommendations about 2997 pubs]
Graham Coombs left this review about Minster Inn
(Update 2025)
Still a very lovely multi-roomer, although some of the dreaded grey paint has crept in. Changing the beer range seems to be working ok though, with current offerings Roosters Yorkshire's Best, Hambleton Stud, Five Points Mild, Turning Point Sounds of Colour and Vocation Heart & Soul. The pizzas are still very popular, to the extent that takeaways now dropped.
(Oct 2017 review)
Splendid pub tucked away in a side street by the city walls, retaining the old multi-room interior which has been beautifully restored with traditional furnishings and includes real fires. A good selection of beers is offered from the wider Marston's family (Cask Marque listing). Food is restricted to pizza and not always available, but it sounded good and is also available for takeaway, as is the beer. There is also a nice little courtyard garden at the rear.
On 22nd May 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3742 recommendations about 3677 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Minster Inn
My first visit for a few years, possibly 2017, and a brief one quite late in the evening after a tour of York's heritage pubs. Of which this is itself one, making it a fitting last pub of the day. Although it is still owned by Marstons, there are presently none of their beers on the bar - a trial period apparently, to see whether more interesting beers will sell better than their known brands. All the beers were from Yorkshire breweries: two from Ossett, one each from Ilkley, Brew York and Kirkstall. I must come back soon and reacquaint myself with this excellent pub.
On 22nd June 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4391 recommendations about 4036 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Minster Inn
still a good multi roomed pub, even the baneful influence of clueless Marstons can’t change that. lively and full of atmosphere despite its slightly off beaten track location. I cringe at the marketing bollocks on the new signage declaring it a ‘ale house and kitchen’. You’re a pub, why not be proud of that?
On 21st April 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Minster Inn
Tucked away behind the Castle Gardens just beyond the city walls, The Minster Inn is a traditional boozer which, mercifully, hasn't been knocked around inside and retains it's original, small, multi-roomed format with many original features including a real fire in the bar.
The pub itself is welcoming as are the staff and regulars who seem reasonably used to the occasional visitor straying from the city centre.
The pizza offer was very popular on our Saturday lunchtime visit and we were very happy with ours.
Beers on were Rudgate Brew No 11, Thornbridge Tapit, Ashover The Fabrick, Banks Sunbeam and Ringwood Razorback. A decent selection without Marstons dominating too heavily and everything that I tried was in excellent condition.
A delightful boozer which is well worth a visit for both the pizza and the beer.
On 19th March 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 688 recommendations about 687 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lester Ford left this review about Minster Inn
Marston's owned pub in an extremely quaint street a stones throw off Gillygate.
I first visited here a few years back when I was ticking all the pubs from that year's good beer guide, this was the wife's first visit and I knew she'd like it. 5 hand pumps with all ales from the Marston's stable. My pint of the Golden ale Rat Race @ 3.9% was perfect.
Pretty busy with plenty of groups and couples dotted around the various rooms.
Has had a make over and now they serve pizza's (wood fires ones nonetheless), the decor in the front bar is nice and tastefully done.
Deffo worth the short walk out to sample this pub.
On 17th May 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 80 recommendations about 78 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Minster Inn
Traditional interior as described below. 5 real ales.
On 14th December 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2979 recommendations about 2912 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about Minster Inn
A nice little back street pub just off the main road out of York. The style has been maintained for decades and the pub has a very welcoming feel to it.
On my visit there were five hand pumps but one was off and another was repeated. this left a fairly basic choice of Wychwood Hobgoblin, Marstons Burton Bitter (£3.10) and banks Sunchaser (£3.40).
I opted for the Sunchaser and must say it was in absolutely brilliant form and more than made up for the limited choice even at a steep £3.40!
I feel that on a busier day with more people and more beer this could be real good pub but on my Sunday evening visit there was very little atmosphere, another visit may be in order
On 24th September 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 459 recommendations about 459 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Minster Inn
One of those places that get the epithet ‘hidden gem’ and in terms of being a pretty unspoiled pub in a quiet location just outside the city wall by St Mary’s Abbey/Marygate, this certainly warrants it. Apparently the interior dates from Edwardian times - a central lobby with rooms leading off (three, if I recall – all quite traditional). The main bar is at the front (you can also be served in the lobby) and is a fairly basic rustic affair though the presence of hundreds of old wine corks affixed to the chimney breast made for an unusual but effective form of wallpaper. The gents toilets are outside in a makeshift privy. Five pumps, four Marstons. My Sunbeam was in good nick but the glass it was served up in was horrifically pitted and fit only for the bin. Service at the bar was taciturn at best, little acknowledgement of my presence, no eye contact, nary a smile and the only interaction came in the form of the price of the beer. A quiet pub, which made the sense of ostricisation even more gnawing as we sat down and contemplated our lot. The other two locals happily ignored us. A number of board and puzzle games available. So it’s certainly worth popping in to take a look but I have my doubts about whether I’d feel enthused about going back next time. Many others elsewhere seem effusive about the friendliness and welcome…??
On 3rd May 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5657 recommendations about 5638 pubs]