The Hop, York

Almost directly opposite the Blue Bell you couldn't find two more different pubs. The bright blue shop front exterior opens into a rather baroque bar with incongruous but original looking butchers shop style tiles at one side and wallpaper with Ossett group pump clips as a design at the other. The L shaped counter has 9 beer pumps plus two for cider, the front has an ecclesiastical design seen in other Ossett pubs, while the floor is a mix of wooden boards and geometric tiles. The beers are from the Ossett stable and guests. Across the front of the building is a shelf held up on cast iron columns, on which are placed a number of hogsheads the whole thing being lit by ever-changing coloured lights. The front windows allow some posing perched on box stools at low tables while along the side wall is a high bench and tables. Moving further back in the pub there are 9 keg fonts on the long face of the counter and opposite a wall decorated with a collection of domestic mirrors and painted quotes from the likes of Frank Zappa, there is a drinking shelf fitted below. Behind the counter is a magnificent barback and the wall behind that has more butchers shop tiles. Beyond the counter the place broadens out into what looks like a covered yard with a pizza kitchen at the far end. Decor here is in the grand baroque manner with big mirrors in carved frames and portraits of Dukes of York from the 17th to 19th centuries. This area is mainly for eating pizzas with a line of tables down the centre with long stools while the sides have bench seating at high tables and more conventional tables and chairs. There is also a small stage to one side in here, live music and comedy are promised on the front signage. The toilets are upstairs and the staff young and reasonably on the ball, beer quality is pretty good. Definitely a different approach to pubs with its baroque slightly continental style I'm sure it will be worth the, obviously, large amount of cash spent on its creation.

Official site of The Hop - www.thehopyork.co.uk

Official site of The Hop - www.thehopyork.co.uk