The Three-Legged Mare, York

A long and fairly narrow pub with the bar along a side wall towards the front, the place was shrouded in scaffolding on Saturday morning hence no updated photo. Inside there is a wooden boarded floor, regular seating to the front including a pair of high backed wooden benches then high tables and stools to the rear where the pub opens out a bit more. A partially divided area at the far end has a couple of lantern rooflights then beyond is a scruffy rather unkempt bit of garden up a number of stairs. I had been told of the hanging contraption that gives the pub its name however I couldn't see anything resembling this outside. The pub nickname of The Wonky Donkey has rather less sinister connections I think. Nine handpumps, I managed the last pint of Arbor Oz I think before it went, it was fine, other beers were Yorkshire Terrier, Guzzler and Centurion's Ghost ale, all from York Brewery, Dark Star Espresso, Arbor Yakima Valley, Burton Bridge XL Mild and Sovereign Gold plus Red Squirrel Legally Blonde. All the York beers are priced at £2.70 on a Sunday. A small stage contains a small red painted piano, Thursday is open mic night. Monday has a quiz and disputes can be settled by a few reference books on a shelf towards the rear. Another very good York pub with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The pub looked tired and scruffy on this visit, so could do with a bit of a spruce up. The staff are very professional in here, as they don't tend to stand in front of you impatiently when choosing a beer. There were three from York brewery and four guest to choose from. I went for the Greenfield Silver Owl, which was top notch. A good pub and always worth visit.

A York brewery pub 6 real ales on offer during my visit.

This is a narrow but long pub, seemingly a shop conversion, in a good location close to the Minster. The pub takes its name from a type of gallows and I was led to believe that there was a replica of such a contraption in the garden to the rear, but I strained to see it through the rain streaked windows at the back of the pub and failed to spot anything fitting the description. The locals have interpreted the name slightly differently, affectionately referring to it as the ‘Wonky Donkey’! The front of the pub has some standard seating around a number of tables including one constructed from some old barrels. The servery appears midway into the pub along the right hand wall and beyond this there is a conservatory area with a tiled floor and mainly low stool seating. The split level garden can be accessed from here. The walls have been decorated with lots of old brewery mirrors and black and white photos whilst some beer engines have been mounted on the walls of the staircase leading down to the toilets. Whisky and beer bottles line a high ledge and there are some framed cartoons towards the rear of the pub. The pub is run by the York Brewery and their beers were prominent at the bar, with Guzzler, Ghost Ale, Terrier and England’s Pride available alongside Castle Rock Preservation and Sheriff’s Tipple and Dow Gladiator. I had the Preservation which was in decent condition although not as good as I remember it from the last time I tried it. This is a nice enough pub that acts as a good showcase from York Brewery beers. I only managed a flying visit, but the beer selection and pleasant surroundings mean that I’d certainly consider a return visit.