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The Blue Bell, York
York
YO1 9TF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Blue Bell
With more time touring York's pubs than I'd bargained for due to the postponement of a football match, I decided to return to a York favourite of mine which I hadn't been in since 2016.
I chanced my arm to try to get a table in the tiny front bar and managed to succeed. Just 4 other customers were in there, leaving a small table next to the bar. The slightly larger rear room can be reached along a corridor.
The Blue Bell is a classic unspoiled local boozer with a really friendly atmosphere. It's intimate nature means that you can't fail to get involve in group conversations with a young humurous gaffer holding court admirably.
Despite being small, the Blue Bell can still manage to hold a decent real ale selection. The house beer is Brass Castle Blue Bell IPA. Other regular beers are Wold Top Bitter, Bradfield Farmer's Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild & Timothy Taylor Landlord. It looks like they stock guest beers at busier times. Boxed ciders were all from Weston's - Old Rosie, Rosie's Pig & Rosie's Pig Rhubarb.
My Wold Top Bitter was in good shape. This is undoubtedly one of the highlights amongst York's wonderful list of pubs.
On 23rd January 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Graham Coombs left this review about The Blue Bell
Just one question - how have I never posted a review before? A familiar haunt with guaranteed decent beers, made even better by a bunch of old regulars so it feels more like a proper pub than a beer tickers venue. Head for the back lounge rather than the tiny front bar if you can.
On 1st August 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Blue Bell
First pub in a day of Camra GBG ticking in York. Well, at least those that I could find open on a Monday Lunch.
This is bigger than it looks on the outside but still small - if that makes any sense. A corridor leads to a tiny front bar room and a bigger back room. The front room bar door sticks badly - so you cannot help but make a spectacular entrance to the people that may or may not be gathered on the four tables available.
Friendly locals and staff and a very lovely and lively TT Landlord.
A good start to the day.
On 13th October 2020
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about The Blue Bell
Possibly the best interior of any pub in york?
The Blue bell is coming out of its time of hanging up private party posters in the door to stop non regulars entering but groups are still very much discouraged.
there are two small rooms with a front bar mainly for standing and a very nice dark lounge with comfy seating and candles.
There are seven hand pumps on with me remembering seeing rudgate ruby mild, farmers blonde, taylors landlord and roosters yankee among others, my landlord was exceptionally kept although at a very expensive £3.60.
A real gem that is often overlooked but well worth visiting if you can get a seat, weekends are best avoided.
* Update, Landlord Now £3.95 there gonna start pricing themselves out!
On 13th March 2020
- rating: 9
[User has posted 457 recommendations about 457 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Blue Bell
Small two roomed with corridor space running alongside. Seems to get busy and doesn't take much to fill up. Nice - dark and traditional with real ale.
On 7th October 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about The Blue Bell
A bit of a throwback this one , the front entrance leads to a corridor , the first door is the bar with the lounge further on , the bar is a cosy slightly run down wood panneled place , locals were friendly with the main topic of conversation Steam railways . There is a list of no-nos on the door , no groups , swearing or shouting amongst others .
7 handpulls with TT Landlord , several from Bradfield and Rudgate plus Bad Seed Smart Streets which was OK .
On 27th September 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Blue Bell
Very friendly pub, old school with everyone either chatting or reading the paper. Eclectic clientele- young and old, male and female, locals and tourists. £4 is on the steep side for average pint of Landlord but oh well - excellent pub that should be preserved at all costs.
On 18th April 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Blue Bell
I didn't take to The Blue Bell as some have which may just be that I visited on a quiet early evening and the atmosphere and chat seemed slightly lacking.
It's a cosy nook of a boozer though with a friendly welcome and I'll happily give it another go.
Beers on were: Kelham Island Kelham Best, Yorkshire Sparkle Really Pale Ale, Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Roosters South Side, Half Moon Dark Masquerade and TT Landlord. A decent range showcasing local breweries and nothing I had was in less than excellent condition.
A York stalwart.
On 8th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lester Ford left this review about The Blue Bell
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.
On 23rd May 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 80 recommendations about 78 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Blue Bell
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.
On 25th April 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5238 recommendations about 5206 pubs]