Here are all the best York events and socials that you should start going to

Where’s better to hole up in winter than the Den?

2 months ago

With winter approaching, it’s all too tempting to crawl home after a long day of lectures (there was one at 4pm), and not emerge from the comfort of your bed. Everyone’s sick, exhausted, and slightly damp from the constant rain, but even still, here are some of the best weekly socials to get you out of the post-Freshers’ university study rut.

Micklegate Social

Micklegate, located just past Popworld and straight ahead, is an absolute gem. It’s twinned with the Fossgate Social, though Micklegate Social is definitely worth the walk over to Micklegate Bar, and contains quite possibly the cosiest interior I’ve seen from a bar in a while. It hosts a multitude of weekly events, from their Double Dragon Cinema Club, to their Sophisticated Boom Boom DJ sets, live music showings, poetry and quizzes. There really is something for everyone.

Its events are held in The Den, which can only be described as a literal den. The vibes are so cute and cosy, with sofas, twinkling lights, and the staff are some of the loveliest I’ve ever met. Special shoutout to the Silly Goose cocktail I had, which looked and tasted amazing, and was most definitely the best £8 that I’ve ever spent on a cocktail.

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Surprise! Not just a cinema. Although Picturehouse does show both mainstream cinema and indie picks, there’s also a whole host more hidden away. Additionally, their film club allows for films both new and rediscovered to be shown each week for only one pound for Picturehouse members, which also allows for discounted tickets for under 25s. Often they will re-show films for a particular theme, such as August’s 1980s Movie Mix with the 1986 films such as Heathers, The Princess Bride, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Top Gun.

The Basement doubles as both a restaurant and live venue. It serves drinks, comedy, spoken word, live music, and holds events every month. Again, a lot of these are themed, so expect some spooky shows around Halloween.

Spark

Food, drink, clothing, art workshops, fitness classes, groceries, cinema, music; Spark holds quite possibly every sort of event, business, and possibility in one place. During the day there’s ping pong, vintage shopping, painting, and tarot readings held both weekly and monthly, and for the evenings there’s cinema showings, DJ sets, and “festivals”. It’s great for when your friends just can’t agree on where to eat, or where to go for drinks too.

It’s worth checking the Spark Instagram page every so often, because chances are that there’s something going on. The decoration that they put together is oftentimes so beautiful that it feels like you’ve gone somewhere really fancy, but for free, which is a blessing for the student bank account.

Fulford Arms

Would this even be a proper list if it didn’t mention the Fulford Arms? It’s a short walk from Heslington, and has an incredibly varied lineup of artists and bands each week. The uni’s own BandSoc has performed the Battle of the Bands there too, as well as bands from all over the world. What better to do with your evening than wander over and watch three bands for under a tenner? They also have merch, including tote bags, which is a step up from any other pub in York.

York can often appear on the surface to be a much quieter music scene than the cities around it, but this is quickly shown to be a myth. Once you attend one gig, you’ll be going weekly…if not to the Fulford Arms, then to any number of other music venues around the city, all of which are advertised all over the Fulford Arms: The Crescent, the York Vaults, and The Hop.

Fortyfive Vinyl Cafe

Spoiler – not just a cafe! Although Fortyfive serves really good drinks and has a relaxed enough atmosphere that you can take out your laptop during the day, it’s also a live music venue where performances are recorded. Live at Fortyfive performances are then shown on their YouTube!

Their aim is to create a Nashville style, country music focused setting with their listening rooms and focus on upcoming artists. It’s pretty much perfect if you’re wanting to see some live music in a more relaxed setting, or just fancy a browse through their vinyl collection.

All of these are comfy, cosy, and perfect for the colder evenings, plus you’re exploring York’s local music and film scene, which is full of hidden treasures. Give them a visit!