The Spread Eagle, York

We visited earlier this week upon reading the review below. The pub was certainly clean and there were two real ales on and both were in really good condition. The problem was that it lacked atmosphere, though at least it was far less threatening than the nearby Brown Cow. On a weekday evening there were only 7 customers in the entire pub so I don't hold out much hope for its survival, especially since there are several other nearby pubs that are so good and popular, but overall the Spread Eagle really isn't a bad pub.

12 Jun 2009 12:56

The Guy Fawkes Hotel, York

The Guy Fawkes Inn is a great looking pub with old fashioned open fires and dim gas lighting. The staff have in the past been rather grumpy but the beer is normally a decent standard, if a bit overpriced. Definitely worth a visit, especially on a cold winter day.

11 Jun 2009 23:14

The Brown Cow, York

We visited this pub purely to see if it lived up to the horrific reputation it has and we were not at all disappointed! Upon entering the pub we were greeted by a customer who immediately made us feel welcome by saying "Are you two paedophiles? Were you ever fiddled with?". Throughout the duration of our visit (one very quick pint), he continued to insult us (because we're students and therefore significantly more successful and wealthy than him), insinuated that we were homosexual, claimed to have come from prison and told the whole pub that he'd been out shoplifting, all while drinking brandy out of a carrier bag that he'd brought in with him. It was 4 in the afternoon on a weekday and several people in there were drunk.

Overall the customers were absolute scum and the general atmosphere of the pub couldn't have been less welcoming! Nevertheless, the Sam Smiths beer was fine and cheap. I'd only recommend going to this pub if you want to experience life as a dosser, or if you just want to gain a few stories to share with your mates in other better pubs.

11 Jun 2009 23:06