Rook & Gaskill, York

A serious drinkers' pub, which is slightly scruffy but in a nice, lived-in way and no doubt still appeals to the students. It now has 6 handpumps and a good wall of keg/key-keg taps with an excellent selection from mainly small and interesting breweries. On this visit I enjoyed an excellently-kept Wensleydale Black Dub stout. A reliable place for a good pint away from the tourists but don't expect any frills.

A freehouse, located just outside the city walls. A long narrow interior (two level, up a small step - beware!) with a rear room housing some breweriana and a small decked smoking area, replete with previous macabre pub sign of a hanging (see Maldenman and PSM’s review for the linkage). Traditionally furnished. Of note is the terrazzo floor, you don’t see many of those in good nick nowadays. Eight ales on and a decent selection, alongside three proper ciders. Not the best start when my Great Heck stout had to go back as it was a soupy murk (end of barrel, I assume) but was exchanged without fuss for a good Castle Rock Pale. Of note was that all the ales were a wallet-friendly £2.80. Makes for a nice treble-header with the Rose and the Waggon after a good few minutes walk out of town.

The Rook and Gaskin is a thin pub with seating areas at the front and rear and a bar on the left hand wall that faces seating up the right wall. I counted eleven hand pumps and many premium keg fonts. There was some background music playing and a plasma screen on the rear wall was switched off. I found the barman to be extremely friendly and he informed me that this is a popular student haunt. There were no students during my recent Friday afternoon visit as they were all on Easter holidays. This is a decent pub where I had a very enjoyable visit.

Nice unpretentious pub just outside the city walls. Bit of a walk to get here but worth it as part of a treble with the Rose and Crown and Wagon and Horses on the other side of Lawrence Street. The pub has been well described by previous reviewers and the decent beer range for the Pubs Galore crawl as detailed by reviewers below. I went for the Great Heck Treason Stout and a fine choice it was too..

Inconspicuous pub, located just outside the city walls. Comprises one elongated room, with one step up to the bar, two steps up to the rear seating area, and another up to the toilets. Fairly plain but traditional furniture and decor. Eight real ales on handpump, including Jolly Sailor Cue Brew (£1.40 half). Only had time for a quick stop, but would certainly walk out this way again since there are also a couple of other decent pubs nearby too.