York freshers, here’s your rundown of which bars are actually worth your money

I’ve been a student at York for two years now, and in that time, I’d like to think I’ve tried most of the bars in York. Actually, for the sake of my bank account, I’d rather not think that. 

However, that does mean I do now know where you can get a good cocktail or pint. Here is my official list of the best bars and pubs in York. 

If you’re a fresher reading this, please take this as your sign to stop just going to the same place. 

1. Dusk 

I can already hear the groans from many second and third years as a say this, but Dusk is good for a reason. Every visit delivers good music, great vibes and even better drinks. 

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been at York for two years, and in that time I’ve frequented Dusk on many an occasion. As such, I’ve tried most of the menu and can comfortably say there is something for everyone.

My personal favourites would have to be its Lady Penelope, Phil Collins and spicy margarita. 

Oh! And did I mention it does a two-for-one every single day of the week? 

Dusk is fabulous drinks served to a student’s budget. 

2. Katie O’Brian’s 

So you want to drink, you want to dance, BUT you don’t want to go to the club? 

Well, Katie O’Brian’s is easily your solution. Hidden just to the left of Revs, is perhaps one of my favourite places in York. 

O’Brian’s delivers both pints and spirits alongside live music every single day. Meaning if you go out on a random night out, without having to end up in the club, you can still have a cheeky little boogie. 

Moreover, if you fancy day drinking when suns ( or just when it’s not raining; this is York after all ), it has an outdoor terrace.

While I’m not quite the expert with pints as I would say I am with cocktails, it does pour a very, very good Guinness. 

3. The Stone Roses Bar

I’m going to expect that most people reading this knew of The Stone Roses Bar before they even knew what college they were going to be in. If you didn’t, I’d strongly recommend that you get to know. 

It’s infamous for its Blue Shits, which I genuinely think are worth every single penny.

Amongst other things, Stones offers the best place (alongside Ziggy’s Tuesday) to listen to Indie music in York. While the queue is long at times, the sound of Sam Fender and Oasis trickling through the door will always make it worth it. 

On another note, in my experience it has some of the nicest bouncers in the city, who even hand out umbrellas when it’s raining. 

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If you want to do your freshers year right, well actually if you want to do your experience at York the right way, you simply must have a Blue Shit in The Stone Roses. 

4. The House of Trembling Madness

It’s not quite a bar, but it’s not quite a pub either; instead, it sits happily in the middle of the two. 

With two locations on both Stonegate and Lendal, The House of Trembling Madness is the best way to appease a friend group who can’t decide between a pub or a bar.

Boasting what I would say is the best gin selection in York, you are guaranteed a good drink.

Furthermore, it also has board games available to play, which after a drink or two can prove very entertaining. 

5. Evil Eye 

Right, moving swiftly back to where my expertise really does lie: Cocktails. If you want a good cocktail and are prepared to pay a little bit more for it (because when isn’t a cocktail worth it?) I’d strongly recommend Evil Eye. 

Located down Stonegate, the bar boasts free floors and one huge menu. The type you actually have to read and then spin a wheel for to decide which drink you’re going to order. 

For a girls’ night or birthday, this is the perfect location for a drink. Moreover, I feel not many students actually know about it, meaning it’s sometimes on the quieter side. So you’re not having to wait hours at the bar to get served.

6. The Lowther

If you’re going on a night out as a student in York, don’t be surprised if you end up in The Lowther. Especially if it’s a Wednesday night.

It is the home of the shits, offering a rainbow of them – meaning if you go and you are drinking, good luck at being able to walk out in a straight line afterwards. 

Lowther’s is good for a reason, one of them being its central location to Salvos, Revs and Circuit, making it one of the best places to go pre-drinking before the club. 

7. The Charles 

If you’re living either on Campus East or Campus West, it is only a matter of minutes before you hear about The Charles. 

It’s located perfectly between the campuses in Heslington, meaning you don’t have to make the trek into town while it’s pouring down in the winter.

Despite being small on the inside, its pub garden is probably one of the best in York and turns into very competitive real estate in the summer months. 

Being a Mixr pub, you are guaranteed a good deal on your drinks. 

My only advice: Maybe don’t go on a date here, as you’re bound to bump into someone you know (trust me, I’ve learnt the hard way).