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Minster Inn, York
York
YO30 7BH
Pub Type
Tenanted (Marstons)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Minster Inn
My first visit for a few years, possibly 2017, and a brief one quite late in the evening after a tour of York's heritage pubs. Of which this is itself one, making it a fitting last pub of the day. Although it is still owned by Marstons, there are presently none of their beers on the bar - a trial period apparently, to see whether more interesting beers will sell better than their known brands. All the beers were from Yorkshire breweries: two from Ossett, one each from Ilkley, Brew York and Kirkstall. I must come back soon and reacquaint myself with this excellent pub.
On 22nd June 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Minster Inn
still a good multi roomed pub, even the baneful influence of clueless Marstons can’t change that. lively and full of atmosphere despite its slightly off beaten track location. I cringe at the marketing bollocks on the new signage declaring it a ‘ale house and kitchen’. You’re a pub, why not be proud of that?
On 21st April 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Minster Inn
Tucked away behind the Castle Gardens just beyond the city walls, The Minster Inn is a traditional boozer which, mercifully, hasn't been knocked around inside and retains it's original, small, multi-roomed format with many original features including a real fire in the bar.
The pub itself is welcoming as are the staff and regulars who seem reasonably used to the occasional visitor straying from the city centre.
The pizza offer was very popular on our Saturday lunchtime visit and we were very happy with ours.
Beers on were Rudgate Brew No 11, Thornbridge Tapit, Ashover The Fabrick, Banks Sunbeam and Ringwood Razorback. A decent selection without Marstons dominating too heavily and everything that I tried was in excellent condition.
A delightful boozer which is well worth a visit for both the pizza and the beer.
On 19th March 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Minster Inn
Splendid pub tucked away in a side street by the city walls, retaining the old multi-room interior which has been beautifully restored with traditional furnishings and includes real fires. A good selection of beers is offered from the wider Marston's family (Cask Marque listing). Food is restricted to pizza and not always available, but it sounded good and is also available for takeaway, as is the beer. There is also a nice little courtyard garden at the rear.
On 28th October 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lester Ford left this review about Minster Inn
Marston's owned pub in an extremely quaint street a stones throw off Gillygate.
I first visited here a few years back when I was ticking all the pubs from that year's good beer guide, this was the wife's first visit and I knew she'd like it. 5 hand pumps with all ales from the Marston's stable. My pint of the Golden ale Rat Race @ 3.9% was perfect.
Pretty busy with plenty of groups and couples dotted around the various rooms.
Has had a make over and now they serve pizza's (wood fires ones nonetheless), the decor in the front bar is nice and tastefully done.
Deffo worth the short walk out to sample this pub.
On 17th May 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 80 recommendations about 78 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Minster Inn
Traditional interior as described below. 5 real ales.
On 14th December 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about Minster Inn
A nice little back street pub just off the main road out of York. The style has been maintained for decades and the pub has a very welcoming feel to it.
On my visit there were five hand pumps but one was off and another was repeated. this left a fairly basic choice of Wychwood Hobgoblin, Marstons Burton Bitter (£3.10) and banks Sunchaser (£3.40).
I opted for the Sunchaser and must say it was in absolutely brilliant form and more than made up for the limited choice even at a steep £3.40!
I feel that on a busier day with more people and more beer this could be real good pub but on my Sunday evening visit there was very little atmosphere, another visit may be in order
On 24th September 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 456 recommendations about 456 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Minster Inn
One of those places that get the epithet ‘hidden gem’ and in terms of being a pretty unspoiled pub in a quiet location just outside the city wall by St Mary’s Abbey/Marygate, this certainly warrants it. Apparently the interior dates from Edwardian times - a central lobby with rooms leading off (three, if I recall – all quite traditional). The main bar is at the front (you can also be served in the lobby) and is a fairly basic rustic affair though the presence of hundreds of old wine corks affixed to the chimney breast made for an unusual but effective form of wallpaper. The gents toilets are outside in a makeshift privy. Five pumps, four Marstons. My Sunbeam was in good nick but the glass it was served up in was horrifically pitted and fit only for the bin. Service at the bar was taciturn at best, little acknowledgement of my presence, no eye contact, nary a smile and the only interaction came in the form of the price of the beer. A quiet pub, which made the sense of ostricisation even more gnawing as we sat down and contemplated our lot. The other two locals happily ignored us. A number of board and puzzle games available. So it’s certainly worth popping in to take a look but I have my doubts about whether I’d feel enthused about going back next time. Many others elsewhere seem effusive about the friendliness and welcome…??
On 3rd May 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Minster Inn
The minster tavern consists of a central corridor with a room with seating the left and the bar to the right. There is a serving hatch to the bar in the corridor and at the rear are an outside toilet (literally outside) and some seating for smokers. This pub is just far enough away from the hubbub of the town centre to become a relaxing oasis from the tourists that converge upon York’s Inns at the weekend. There is no television or music, but there is an abundance of character from both the pub and the customers. I think it is called Yorkshire charm! The bar supports five hand pumps and a limited standard draught selection.
This pub is well worth a look if searching for an authentic York backstreet boozer.
On 27th April 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Minster Inn
Situated just far enough from the town centre to make it a peaceful retreat, but cose enough that it’s not a chore to get to, the Minster Inn is a very pleasant traditional two room pub. Entry is into a fairly wide corridor with doors leading left to a lounge and right to the bar and front room. The bar is accessible from the corridor, so that those in the lounge don’t have to enter the front room every time they want a drink. The front room itself is fairly compact and minimalist, with a single banquette running the length of the wooden floored space, providing enough room for three tables. At the far end of the room is a fireplace which in itself is nothing special, but it has been adorned with wine corks which cover the section of wall above. A few pictures of old York pubs line the other walls, prompting much nostalgia from the other people in the bar during my visit. Several humorous books are on display on the mantelpiece and each table had a handheld puzzle on it – mine kept me distracted the whole time I was here and I still failed to crack it. The lounge looks like a fairly comfortable spot to relax over a few pints and has a single curved banquette and regular seating. There is a small garden to the rear with a covered decking area and what I assumed was the pub’s former sign propped up against a wall. The gents are out here too and are a little bit of history in themselves.
I’m not sure if this pub is tied to Marston’s, but their beer certainly seems to dominate the hand pumps. My choice was Ringwood Bold Forester, Marston’s Burton Bitter and Single Hop Marynka, Jennings Sneck Lifter and York Guzzler (£3.00). My pint of Guzzler was in tip-top shape and went down very easily after an afternoon traipsing around in the pouring rain.
I really liked the feel of this place and thought it had an ideal location that makes it feel a bit like a well kept secret. The landlord seemed like a no nonsense sort of bloke who knows exactly how he wants to run his pub, and on the evidence of my visit, he’s doing a very good job of it. I’d encourage anyone visiting York to add this to their itinerary and I look forward to a return the next time I’m in town.
On 11th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]