The Blue Bell, York

With more time touring York's pubs than I'd bargained for due to the postponement of a football match, I decided to return to a York favourite of mine which I hadn't been in since 2016. I chanced my arm to try to get a table in the tiny front bar and managed to succeed. Just 4 other customers were in there, leaving a small table next to the bar. The slightly larger rear room can be reached along a corridor. The Blue Bell is a classic unspoiled local boozer with a really friendly atmosphere. It's intimate nature means that you can't fail to get involve in group conversations with a young humurous gaffer holding court admirably. Despite being small, the Blue Bell can still manage to hold a decent real ale selection. The house beer is Brass Castle Blue Bell IPA. Other regular beers are Wold Top Bitter, Bradfield Farmer's Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild & Timothy Taylor Landlord. It looks like they stock guest beers at busier times. Boxed ciders were all from Weston's - Old Rosie, Rosie's Pig & Rosie's Pig Rhubarb. My Wold Top Bitter was in good shape. This is undoubtedly one of the highlights amongst York's wonderful list of pubs.

Just one question - how have I never posted a review before? A familiar haunt with guaranteed decent beers, made even better by a bunch of old regulars so it feels more like a proper pub than a beer tickers venue. Head for the back lounge rather than the tiny front bar if you can.

First pub in a day of Camra GBG ticking in York. Well, at least those that I could find open on a Monday Lunch. This is bigger than it looks on the outside but still small - if that makes any sense. A corridor leads to a tiny front bar room and a bigger back room. The front room bar door sticks badly - so you cannot help but make a spectacular entrance to the people that may or may not be gathered on the four tables available. Friendly locals and staff and a very lovely and lively TT Landlord. A good start to the day.

Small two roomed with corridor space running alongside. Seems to get busy and doesn't take much to fill up. Nice - dark and traditional with real ale.

A bit of a throwback this one , the front entrance leads to a corridor , the first door is the bar with the lounge further on , the bar is a cosy slightly run down wood panneled place , locals were friendly with the main topic of conversation Steam railways . There is a list of no-nos on the door , no groups , swearing or shouting amongst others . 7 handpulls with TT Landlord , several from Bradfield and Rudgate plus Bad Seed Smart Streets which was OK .

Very friendly pub, old school with everyone either chatting or reading the paper. Eclectic clientele- young and old, male and female, locals and tourists. £4 is on the steep side for average pint of Landlord but oh well - excellent pub that should be preserved at all costs.

I didn't take to The Blue Bell as some have which may just be that I visited on a quiet early evening and the atmosphere and chat seemed slightly lacking. It's a cosy nook of a boozer though with a friendly welcome and I'll happily give it another go. Beers on were: Kelham Island Kelham Best, Yorkshire Sparkle Really Pale Ale, Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Roosters South Side, Half Moon Dark Masquerade and TT Landlord. A decent range showcasing local breweries and nothing I had was in less than excellent condition. A York stalwart.