The Punch Bowl (JD Wetherspoon), York

Not much to add to the previous reviews but it’s a small multi space spoons all on one level, 10 pulls; one off, one cider, the unholy trinity and some Christmas seasonals. They were only serving from the side of the U shaped counter, one end being glasses return the other seemingly devoted to servicing App’ orders. Not an exciting pub even by Spoon’s standards, it might be better than the Postern Gate but only due to its small size although it can get rammed very easily, especially on race days!!!

Called in last month for refreshment before setting off round the wall for a walk, and enjoyed Ilkley Lotus and Leeds Midnight Bell. One of the better JDW outlets with toilets on the ground floor.

pleasant enough circuit Spoons with a slight rough edge to it on a weekend. Full of people you wouldn’t want to drink with but did have a good enough beer selection including the nice Saltaire No 5 Stout.

Ended off the night in here which is the better of the two Spoons in York. I've always liked this place and the beer selection wasn't too bad. Not a bad Spoons in all.

Although not originally a pub it does look like one from the outside. Inside it's a single room that wraps itself around the bar with a small conservatory at the back. It was fairly busy on my Thursday afternoon visit. There was a mini Hop Studio festival on at the time with five of their beers, Eau Du Soleil, Dubbel, Raja, Pale & Blush. The rest of the 10 hand pumps had the JDW Trio Of Doom and 2 ciders. I went for the Dubbel & Eau Du Soleil (£2.55 each). The Dubbel was fine but the Eau Du Soleil was cloudy, tasting pretty poor and I can't imagine it is supposed to be like that. It's a shame about the dodgy pint as this seems to be a good Spoons. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt with a 7.

Dating back to 1770, this place has served as both a shop and a pub in the past, but in the last 13 years it has been operated by the ubiquitous Wetherspoons chain. The location, close to Micklegate Bar and the train station, make this an extremely popular venue, evidenced by the fact that it was completely packed out when we visited for Saturday morning breakfast. The interior sees a centrally positioned servery with the counter running down the left hand side of the room from front to back. Plenty of typical 'Spoons seating is available throughout, including standard tables and chairs, high tables and stools and a few padded banquettes. There are lots of pillars and partitioning screens, some of which have pleasant stained glass inserts, which hint at former separate rooms and help break the space up a fair bit and add some much needed character. To the rear is a conservatory style space with a quarry stone floor and plenty of daylight, acting as an antidote to the otherwise gloomy rear half of the room. I think I counted ten hand pumps, although I may well have missed some through the crowds along the long bar counter. There seemed to be a pretty good ratio of guest ales to 'Spoons regulars, although I opted for a mug of tea to accompany my breakfast, having endured a long session the day before and facing a similar sized mission later that day. The barman serving me was very friendly and said that Sunday mornings were normally even busier, which is saying something. The fact that this place was originally a pub is a real benefit, as it hasn't got that instantly recognisable corporate feel that a great many Wetherspoons pubs suffer from. Having said that, there isn't much here that you won't have seen countless times before and were it not for the cheap breakfasts, you would have to wonder why anyone would bother with such a place in a city rich in excellent pubs.

The Punchbowl is an L shaped Wetherspoons that was packed at 10:30 on Saturday morning with punters looking for breakfast. I was one of these people who opted for a £2.99 breakfast that was as good as any greasy spoon to be honest. My egg did look like it had been in a fight with the floor, but a swift swig of premix coke left me unworried. Being a Spoons the usual drink and meal deals are all available. The interior is L shaped and there is a conservatory at the rear that backs onto a small outside seating area. It was too early to be counting hand pumps, but a standard draught range was available. I had an enjoyable breakfast and would return for another.

Compact for a 'spoons, so getting a table can be difficult (even at breakfast time). Partly opened-out as part of the conversion process, with a number of fairly small seating areas in and around the bar. More traditional in appearance than many too. Excellent selection of real ales from ten handpumps, including a fine pint of Vale SPS (£2.10).