please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is one of the pubs in York which has a good atmosphere, which a lot of other pubs within the city walls lack. The place could do with a lick of paint but that seems to be the norm with most Sam Smiths pubs. The Brown Cow does have a broad range of characters amongst the locals and ever time I visit I always have a good laugh. This is a pub which is still tarred by previous reputation but is a fantastic place to visit while you are in York...just don't set your expectations too high, this is a drinkers' pub. The only real downside is that they don't sell Stout any more but still offers good beer from the rest of the Sam Smith's range.
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What a S**T hole. I am usually quite relaxed in pubs of this type but sorry this place sucks!! Horrible atmosphere and I kid you not, there was a slug trail across the carpet in the "Lounge". Don't Bother!!
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Following recent change of ownership this is now a great place to stop in for a pint. The new couple running the place are friendly and welcoming and they are making a real effort to make the place welcoming. Plus the pool table is great now its been refelted!!
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Hadn't been in here for over a year but called in for a quick pint over the weekend as we were passing and ended up staying all night. What a difference. It was like a totally different pub. The new landlord made us very welcome and the beer is one of the best pints of Sam Smiths I've had. And at those it won't be long until my next visit. Cheers.
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This pub has been taken over by a friendly couple who have a great passion for the trade. The pub has improved incredibly since my last visit in 2010. Yes it's a bit dated in places but the atmosphere is that of a real York pub with fantastic beer kept perfectly by the attentive staff. Well worth a visit, say hi to the landlord, not many like him around these days.
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Has recently been taken over by a new couple and what a change. Now the pub is friendly and welcoming - the pool table is excellent (probably the best around Walmgate) - the beer is cheap and kept very well. Decor eeds updating but there is a lovely lounge bar that isn't used often. Well worth a visit!!
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Used to come here fairly often as a student but it deteriorated badly in the early 90s (as did the nearby Spread Eagle) due to an increasing smackhead contingent. Wouldn't dare go in these days.
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We went into this pub in 2008 as we couldn't believe it could be as bad as the reviews - it was! At about 3pm on a Sunday afternoon the clientelle were running amok and I can honestly say I've never finished a drink so fast in my life! Was not a bad looking pub mind you - so hopefully now that's under new management it will improve!
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exellent pub clean frendly staff no troble makers and best of all good beer,
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Under new management---a warm and welcoming atmosphere with good beer at affordable prices--managers keep control--bad behaviour not tolerated--safe, with a varied customer base and a" good crack"--freedom of speech is alive and kicking here!!!
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Under new management----a warm and welcoming atmosphere with good beer at affordable prices---managers keep control---safe, with a varied interesting customer bae and a" good crack"--reedom of speech is alive and kicking here !!!
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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.
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After the recent press i went for a look and yes it is a locals pub. But once you get to know the place its a good little pub. A good pool table and dart board and theres always someone that will give you a game as its open all day even though its a bit off the track. No hand pull but the beer is good.
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Shame if this has become all parochial,it was my local in the late 80s when Tom ran it , he was a taster for Timothy Taylors and a better pint you wouldn't have. Hope to visit soon and will fill in a report.
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Dicey pub - definitely for locals
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I remember this pub as being the 1st(of many) I visited on a 6th form visit to York....slopes don't get much slippier,than the one I was on that day!
Hardly changed in the intervening years-unlike the new Hitchcockian me!
Definitely a locals pub,another Sam Smiths pub-but not the best.
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A very local boozer. Fine and friendly most of the time, but certainly has its own crowd. When quiet a pleasant, CHEAP, place to play pool, but a touch risky when busy.
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