Golden Ball, York

Quinno _ left this review about Golden Ball

Couldn’t really recall my previous visit (made, I think, at the end of an extremely long and boozy day of crawling) so went back again. It’s an atmospheric backstreet pub on the CAMRA Inventory and GBG listed. Multiple rooms; main bar has a Sam Smiths feel with nicotine wallpaper and an unusual white and orange tiling on the lower servery. Bar billiards table spotted (although rammed into a corner so only 50% playable). Various Pride flags everywhere of the more far-flung apparent persuasions which put me off – it isn’t an overtly gay-led pub so I’m not really sure what the point was. Timid young staff who looked like they were auditioning for a Dexy's Midnight Runners tribute act. Six pumps with small regionals and micros on offer and a decent range of styles. My Yorkshire Heart Blackheart was fine if served in a pitted glass that was only fit for the skip (NBSS 3). There’s a fair set of positives here but also counterbalances, overall it’s too Guardianista for my tastes.

April 2015
Multi-roomed traditional backstreet boozer just outside the city walls, run as a community co-operative. The glazed brick exterior is striking on approach, note the incorporation of the pub’s name in the fascia. 1930’s heritage interior over four different rooms via a corridor and is well described below. A good community atmosphere within. Darts and bar billiards spotted. Five ales on, with a mainly northern slant. The day’s first sighting of Moorhouse brewery meant that I went for their Black Cat which was in very good nick and went down a treat. As is seemingly the norm in these parts, the pub opens late afternoon during the week. Rated 8

On 5^th July 2024 - rating: 7
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