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Ye Olde Starre Inne - York


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Talk about disappointment.

 

Whenever I visit York, I always stick my neck in this little gem of a pub for a nice pint of Old Peculiar and sometimes a bite to eat. Sundays, like most other days are usually heaving with folk doing the very same thing. Tourists and locals, including clergy from the Minster delight in sitting in the little forecourt with views of the Minster tower or in the little beer garden at the back.

 

Little dark rooms inside are normally packed and the smell of home-cooked food hits you as you enter the place. Supposedly York's oldest pub is a must-see for many a tourist many of whom - despite the large sign over Stonegate - would probably walk past the little passage leading to it. Indeed, it can be a job waiting to get served but it's always been worthwhile.

 

So what an absolute shame it was to visit with friends on Sunday (7th June) whilst celebrating my 40th birthday to feel as if we'd entered a totally different pub.

 

It was quiet, there were no lovely smells of hot roast beef, the place was dull and the Old Peculiar was off due to problems with the line. I bought another real ale and ended up leaving half of it. Usually a child-family environment we asked for a Coke and a lemonade to be told they only serve them in pint glasses. When my wife asked if they did smaller measures the answer was they do but we'd still be charged for a pint each. Usually, you have to step over prams in the forecourt but it seemed they'd managed to put families off entering the place.

 

Entering one of the small rooms, the place was unlit and so dark that we lit the candles ourselves. Disappointed with the beer and everything else, we left.

 

Surprisingly, I didn't notice any To Let signs with the words Enterprise Inns printed on them so can only deduce the pub has swapped hands to someone who clearly doesn't have a clue what they're doing and if this continues one of York's most famous and beautiful hostelries will be closing down.

 

Sad, me thinks.

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(Yep, it would be me!)

 

It's a shame about the pub. I didn't actually go in the last time I was in York, and it sounds like it was for the better (although it may have still been alright then). Let's hope it changes hands again as quickly as it has done this time (if that's the case) and it can get back on its feet once more. I'd hate to see it close down, and thankfully I don't think it's that likely.

 

Not to worry though, it's not the only great pub in York - the place has them by the bucket load!

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Not to worry though, it's not the only great pub in York - the place has them by the bucket load!

 

I'm sure you two are well aware of that, but others may be interested in this free guide from York Camra that lists the best pubs in the city centre and the beers they usually serve.

 

http://www.yorkcamra.free-online.co.uk/york2009.PDF

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  • 1 month later...

An update on the pub. I went in yesterday and all was well (apart from the bar maid looking as though she'd rather stick a fork in her eye than be there). The forecourt was full, the inside was admittedly a bit dark (but I usually find that to be the case anyway), but we sat in the beer garden anyway so it didn't really matter to us. I can't comment on the prices for soft drinks or anything, but there were no problems with any of the lovely ales.

 

As I said, we sat in the beer garden at the back because the forecourt was full of families, so it seems as though they've not been put off. :) Maybe it was just an 'off' day Ousetunes?

 

I will of course be venturing back again (and again, and again, and again....)

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I've never thought much of it to be honest. It's overrated, has a poor choice of ale and it stinks. There are so many better pubs in York.

 

I find Brigantes on Micklegate to be an excellent boozer.

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