As the sun shines brighter and the nights are getting lighter, summer is making itself known and what is better than a beer garden on a warm summers day?
There’s no better place for a drink than York as the scenery and traditional pubs make the experience special and worthwhile. The rich history of York also adds a unique factor with pubs still running after eons, one even originating from around 1644.
Prepare for another memorable summer filled with beer gardens and gather your friends and family to take in the beautiful city of York with a side of pints.
The Old White Swan
Find your way to another historic pub on Goodramgate as The Old White Swan awaits you.
The Old White Swan consists of nine buildings that date back to the 16th century, each with a wonderful history that contributes to the pubs unique character.
An interesting fact is that in 1781, the world’s tallest man was displayed at this pub. His name was Mr O’Brian and he was 8 feet tall!
The pub is known for it’s range of real ales and serves a selection of classic pub food
The Old White Swan is a lovely option for those who want to explore the city as it is just a few minutes walk from the York Minster.
The Fat Badger
Head on down to High Petergate with your family and have a drink at The Fat Badger.
Their beer garden is particularly special as it is situated within the York walls, a reminder of the city’s beautiful history in every direction. You can even overlook the beer garden from the York walls!
A family friendly traditional Yorkshire pub that serves real ale and has a great selection of gins, and a restaurant that looks onto the city.
Enjoy a breath-taking view with an alcoholic drink at hand at the Fat Badger.
Keystones
If you want to enjoy a younger crowd, The Keystones on Monkgate is the pub for you.
Popular with students, The Keystones offers discounted drinks on the MiXR app and they have a great selection of food, including vegan options.
That isn’t the only offer they provide as every Wednesday they host Wing Wednesday where chicken wings are only 40p each!
The pub’s structure dates back to 1799 and was originally known as The Bay Horse Hotel. Furthermore, it has a great view of York’s history due to the beer garden being situated right outside of the city walls.
The beer garden is always packed and lively as you can watch the football and any other kinds of sport on the TVs, which they have inside and outside.
The beer garden is a wonderful sun trap where you can easily tan whilst drinking your drink of choice.
Watch this video to see why these customers love The Keystones.
Tank and Paddle
Located in the heart of York, Tank and Paddle is the perfect spot for craft beer enthusiasts.
Formerly a merchant’s building, the venue now has a spacious balcony outside with views of the River Ouse, making it ideal for summer days or nights.
The drinks menu offers a variety of local brews from Brew York, trendy craft beers, and classic cask ales like Black Sheep.
Gin lovers will also find regional favourites, such as Yorkshire Dales Distillery and popular blends like Slingsby.
The food menu doesn’t disappoint either, with fresh sourdough pizzas and crafted burgers.
Tip for students: you can enjoy exclusive discounts on food and drinks on the MiXR app in Tank and Paddle.
With bottomless brunches, live sports, and gin masterclasses, Tank and Paddle has something for everyone.
The Kings Arms
Rich in history, the Kings Arms dates back to the early 17th century when it was first built.
If you’re looking for a “technology detox”, this is the place, as phone use is completely prohibited.
Based next to the River Ouse, the pub was built in the 1600s and named “Kings Arms” in 1795, though it was renamed the “Ouse Bridge Inn” before reverting to its original name in 1983.
Known for frequent flooding, the pub historically would remain open for customers, although that is not now permitted due to safety reasons.
The bar offers a selection of stouts and Samuel Smith beers, and its large outdoor terrace is perfect for enjoying a pint in the summer.
Fun fact: The Kings Arms is the only remaining building from First Water Lane, a medieval street demolished in 1852.
Watch this video to get a sneak peak of the beer gardens!
Written by: Jasmine Grice and Beth Harper
Photo by Unsplash
