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The Three-Legged Mare, York
York
YO1 7EN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
Situated not far from York Minster, this was the only pub still open when I arrived on the street late on a Monday evening. In fact, I saw a couple of people leaving which would have left the pub empty had I not walked in very shortly after.
The amenable barman/landlord was happy to chat whilst cleaning up around me. Unlike many, he was also happy to keep the pub open to enable me to indulge in a swift half.
I was last in here almost 10 years ago when it was owned by York Brewery. He explained that Black Sheep had purchased the pub as it is in some kind of city centre exclusion zone that prevents any new pubs from opening.
Black Sheep beers on were Best Bitter, Blonde, Riggwelter & Respire. Guests were Three Legs Oat Stout & Anarchy Blonde Star. There was also a decent selection of traditional ciders - Lilley's Pineapple, Strawberry, Rhubarb & Mango Ciders, Broadoak Moonshine & Perry, Weston's Old Rosie, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask & Ampleforth Abbey Cider. Craft beers were Black Sheep Milk Stout, Burrow's IPA, Ensueno & Side Quest, Tiny Rebel Electric Boogaloo & Shiny Wipeout.
I only scored this a 6/10 on my previous visit and don't particularly recall what it was like. I'll certainly be increasing my score to a 7/10 and it is verging on an 8/10.
On 23rd January 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
According to a sign it was York Brewery's 3rd pub, before the Black Sheep takeover, and it serves a good range of Black Sheep/York Brewery beers plus guests, such as Brasscastle, and a large selection of boxed ciders. Not bad as a modern take on a pub, including cafe-style steel furniture, and certainly worth a visit for the beer.
On 9th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
Called in this pub last month and found a good range of cask ales and some keg and ciders. Large room with a conservatory area at the rear, but beware the spiral staircase down to the toilets. A range of York brewery beers but we chose and enjoyed Half Moon That Old Chestnut from the available guests.
On 12th August 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
Decided to go back to the future and have the same beer as I did in 2009 on my previous visit - a Centurions Ghost - which was in good form. Very little change from previous, I sat in the rear section which housed the most interesting table, an old whisky barrel which contained a selection of papers. Sadly this perch had already been swiped by a local. Noted that taster trays are offered and that there was an excellent selection of foreign bottled beers alongside the eight or so ales. General feel is light and airy, akin to a continental cafe bar than a traditional pub but I think here it works quite well. There’s a red painted as well and I understand it to be tuned and used. I like it here but when it’s quiet, the silence can be a bit off-putting.
May 2009
A York brewery pub which sells their full range (including the unique-to-the-pub Wonkey Donkey) along with two guests. I was only in for a short while whilst Mrs Quinno disappeared off to the nearby shop for an emergency birthday present but was there long enough to appreciate my pint of Centurion's Ghost, polite service by the barmaid and observe a group of American tourists doing a cheese and ale tasting session. The interior is nice (it's a 'quiet' pub, no music or TV) and new without being overly sterile - it was converted from an old shop. There are three knocked-through rooms; front bar, rear section and conservatory beyond. There’s a very small rear garden that’s basically for the smokers. Its proximity to York Minster means it's an essential stop if nearby. Quiz fact: a Three Legged Mare was a form of gallows where three unfortunates could be dispatched in one go. Rated 8
On 3rd May 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
I popped into the Three Legged Mare on a recent Saturday just after midday when the pub was empty apart from a hen party group that were about to embark on a crawl of York. They were sitting in the front seating area so I found a high table by the bar in the rear. Beyond the bar area is an extension that houses some lounging furniture and a few board games. Out the back is a garden, most of which is out of bounds and the parts that are accessible would only be used by smokers.
The bar supports nine hand pumps and a selection of premium lagers. I didn’t see any food advertised during my lunchtime visit. There are no televisions and I do not recall there being any background music, but there is live music on Sundays from 20:30 and Ali is on the piano from 19:00 until 22:00 on Fridays. The Monday quiz starts at 21:00 and on Thursdays there is open mic from 21:00. Under 18’s are not permitted at any time.
I liked it in here and can imagine a good atmosphere when busy. I will return next time I am in the area.
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5242 recommendations about 5210 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
A long and fairly narrow pub with the bar along a side wall towards the front, the place was shrouded in scaffolding on Saturday morning hence no updated photo. Inside there is a wooden boarded floor, regular seating to the front including a pair of high backed wooden benches then high tables and stools to the rear where the pub opens out a bit more. A partially divided area at the far end has a couple of lantern rooflights then beyond is a scruffy rather unkempt bit of garden up a number of stairs. I had been told of the hanging contraption that gives the pub its name however I couldn't see anything resembling this outside. The pub nickname of The Wonky Donkey has rather less sinister connections I think.
Nine handpumps, I managed the last pint of Arbor Oz I think before it went, it was fine, other beers were Yorkshire Terrier, Guzzler and Centurion's Ghost ale, all from York Brewery, Dark Star Espresso, Arbor Yakima Valley, Burton Bridge XL Mild and Sovereign Gold plus Red Squirrel Legally Blonde. All the York beers are priced at £2.70 on a Sunday.
A small stage contains a small red painted piano, Thursday is open mic night. Monday has a quiz and disputes can be settled by a few reference books on a shelf towards the rear.
Another very good York pub with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
On 30th March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
The pub looked tired and scruffy on this visit, so could do with a bit of a spruce up. The staff are very professional in here, as they don't tend to stand in front of you impatiently when choosing a beer. There were three from York brewery and four guest to choose from. I went for the Greenfield Silver Owl, which was top notch. A good pub and always worth visit.
On 12th August 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
A York brewery pub 6 real ales on offer during my visit.
On 18th May 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
This is a narrow but long pub, seemingly a shop conversion, in a good location close to the Minster. The pub takes its name from a type of gallows and I was led to believe that there was a replica of such a contraption in the garden to the rear, but I strained to see it through the rain streaked windows at the back of the pub and failed to spot anything fitting the description. The locals have interpreted the name slightly differently, affectionately referring to it as the ‘Wonky Donkey’! The front of the pub has some standard seating around a number of tables including one constructed from some old barrels. The servery appears midway into the pub along the right hand wall and beyond this there is a conservatory area with a tiled floor and mainly low stool seating. The split level garden can be accessed from here. The walls have been decorated with lots of old brewery mirrors and black and white photos whilst some beer engines have been mounted on the walls of the staircase leading down to the toilets. Whisky and beer bottles line a high ledge and there are some framed cartoons towards the rear of the pub.
The pub is run by the York Brewery and their beers were prominent at the bar, with Guzzler, Ghost Ale, Terrier and England’s Pride available alongside Castle Rock Preservation and Sheriff’s Tipple and Dow Gladiator. I had the Preservation which was in decent condition although not as good as I remember it from the last time I tried it.
This is a nice enough pub that acts as a good showcase from York Brewery beers. I only managed a flying visit, but the beer selection and pleasant surroundings mean that I’d certainly consider a return visit.
On 11th July 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Three-Legged Mare
I have been in this York Brewery pub a few times and although it has a good choice of real ales it doesn't seem to have much of an atmosphere or the feel of a pub.Other than that a good place for real ale.
On 27th April 2012
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]