The Blue Bell, York

My last visit to this cracking little pub was on Easter Sunday with the wife, popped in for a couple and ended up staying all night making many new friends and having a right laugh 6 ales all from Yorkshire, my pints of Roosters Astro @ 4.3% all went down a treat. Many things have been written about this pub, it really is a real gem, here’s hoping it is saved from any potential takeover or closure, the country needs pubs like this…scores 10/10 from me every time.

The Blue Bell is an old traditional York pub with a small front bar and small back ‘smoking room’ seating area. I counted seven hand pumps on the bar and noted the presence of Guinness, Staropramen and Carling. I was warned about the governor not permitting groups which at the time I found a little mean-spirited. However, after spending the weekend in the pubs of York I completely understand why the governor and locals would not want groups of drunken hen and stag parties converging on their pub. Taking the advice of my peers I entered alone and was served by a very friendly lady. I managed to perch at the end of a table in amongst some old Yorkshire gentlemen. No mobile phone conversations are permitted and there are no gaming machines, televisions, or music playing facilities. Before venturing up to York from the South Coast this is how I imagined a Yorkshire pub to be. To be honest all that was missing were a few whippets. This is a good pub that is well worth a visit, just don’t go mob handed.

This was my chosen “off piste” visit from the planned route of our Pubs Galore crawl of York and it did not disappoint. I positioned myself in the Smoke room through the rear door, ordered a pint of Rudgate Ruby Mild through the serving hatch and could have easily settled in for the duration had not this been only pub no3 on the crawl. Fantastic old school boozer with a good range of ales and a fantastic 100 year old plus pub interior as described by the reviewers below. However as it attracts customers of a similar age bracket , not one recommended to the younger fraternity.

A very small, old-fashioned (in a good way) pub featuring a compact bar at the front, a couple of seats by the closed serving hatch in the corridor and a (slightly) larger Smoke Room to the rear. Traditional furniture and decor throughout. Seven hand pumps on the tiny front counter, with offerings including Farmer's Bitter and Blonde (£3.40) from Bradfield, Landlord, Rooster's Azacca, Acorn Eggcracker and Rudgate Ruby Mild. Very little in the way of food, just a few sandwiches and pies at lunchtimes, but features a basket of artisan breads for sale. Understandably, perhaps, given the size of the place, its layout and city-centre location, they have a strict policy about not letting any big groups in (and several got turned away whilst I was there). If you can get in, it is certainly well worth a visit.