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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Crystal Palace, Holgate, York
York
YO24 4AB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about The Crystal Palace
If it wasn't for the sign in the front you wouldn't know this was a pub, but inside is a splendidly old-school two roomer, with a very tidy lounge to one side and a public bar with pool table the other. There are some nice historic features, including some art deco stained glass and even a coat and umbrella stand, as well as some open fires. Outside a little garden lies at the front, separated from the road by hedges. Just OBB on handpump naturally but mention has to be made of the pleasant keg mild at an astonishing £2.40 - possibly the cheapest beer in York (excluding the Spoons specials). Usual Humphrey silly restrictions apply of course, but a very nice and straightforward pub.
On 11th December 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Crystal Palace
A multi room Sam Smiths pub looking more like a posh house than a pub. Nicely decorated inside but not overdone in the faux Victorian style often used in Sam’s pubs. To the left is a large room with a pool table and a small snug round a corner. Decorated with railway porn. To the right is another similar bar which we didn’t use as the punters were a little cliquey. There is a rumour that in Sam’s pubs they have two casks on but the fresher one is reserved for locals; the other is tired and often on the turn and served to visitors, guess which one we got?
On 20th November 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Crystal Palace
A very understated exterior leads into a two roomed Sam Smiths pub. There is a lounge to the right and a larger room that seems to act as a taproom to the left. Both have real fires. Despite the Humphrey rules there was quite a bit of swearing going on in the tap especially a group of 4 older men sat around the fire. There's a pool table and a dartboard in this room. The lounge was quieter and very pleasant late on a Sunday afternoon with several chatty punters in. Only OBB of course on handpump and as mentioned in an earlier review below (which is from 2015 despite the date) no dark mild which is my go to beer in Sam's pubs. I'm not sure how much my pint was but the pint and a half of cider was around £3. This is a very good pub for a Sam's house and we'll probably call in here again.
On 23rd May 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about The Crystal Palace
What a lovely Sam Smiths pub on Holgate road. I sat in the lounge but could see over the bar there was a more bar/games room over the other side. This was a very comfy place to sit with nice soft seating and a huge real open fire which was great on a cold winters night. Beer wise its the usual Sams range at the usual prices, sadly there was no light or dark mild sold here. The OBB was a lovely pint at £1.80.
like the Trafalgar bay not far away this is a lovely clean and nicely kept sams pub that is worth a visit. A truly lovely place to sit especially on cold night in front of the fire.
On 22nd May 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 459 recommendations about 459 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Crystal Palace
Very traditional two-room pub featuring a public bar (with pool table and younger punters) on one side and a more sedate lounge (and distinctly older clientele) to the other. Modest patio beer garden out front. As a Samuel Smith's house, only OBB (£1.80) available on handpump, of course, but who can complain at that price?
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Crystal Palace
This pub has the traditional old style format with a public bar and lounge. The lounge bar is carpeted with banquettes and bucket chairs, the coal fire was lit and the place was warm and homely. The public bar has a pool table and dartboard and is clearly dog friendly as some bloke was sitting on a bar stool with his dog sprawled at his feet.
Sam Smith's beers so only OBB as a real ale, a half cost me all of 90p! Food is served and Sunday roasts were advertised for £7.95. Wednesday is bingo night, I didn't spot any other events listed, outdoor seating to the front at a couple of picnic benches.
Quite a nice pub despite the obvious lack of interesting stuff to drink, a proper local but with a warm welcome to an outsider.
On 30th March 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Crystal Palace
2 roomed Sam Smith's pub. Usual Sam Smith's selection. The pub has a pool table and a dartboard.
On 14th May 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace is just outside the city centre and it is in an area where there are not many pubs.
There is a garden at the front of the pub for when the weather is nice and inside there are two rooms a bar and lounge i went in the lounge and this was a smartish comfortable room.
This is a samuel Smiths tied house and there was one real ale on the bar which was Old Brewery bitter and this was a very nice drink and also very cheap.
I was quite happy having a drink in here and the pub was fairly quiet as it was early Sunday dinner.
On 3rd March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]