please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Nasty shock! After about 15 years of calling at the Ackhorne whenever in York, walked information to find no draft real cider sold any more. The Old Rosie and others are all gone, just a kegged Aspall's on offer. Left and found Old Rosie at the Wetherspoons down the road.
|
I had to pay the Ackhorne a return visit, as it was the nearest pub to the apartment we were staying in. Sunday night was quiz night. It was busy with a fair mix of characters. But it always feels a little uncomfortable walking into a quiz night half-way through with lots of uncomfortable silences and whispering. Nevertheless, this is still a surprising find tucked away on a narrow side street off the busy Micklegate. Ales were Roosters Yankee, Sonnet 43 Bourbon Milk Stout, Leeds Best, Partners JYB & Ringwood Boon Doggle. Cider was Old Rosie & Rosie's Pig. Surprised this hasn't been in the Good Beer Guide since 2007. But I'm sure I'll be back.
|
Good to see that the cider range has expanded to three real ciders.
|
An oasis of calm, especially on Saturday night when the rest of the bars in the area are truly awful. The landlady seems to have a way of dealing with noisy types which means that they never get out of hand. Totally recommended.
|
This is a really nice traditional pub just off Micklegate. They serve a good choice of beers including Westmalle (The Wife's favourite tipple). Well worth a visit!!
|
In here on Saturday and the pub looks to be going from strength to strength.Long may it continue;excellent early evening
|
Friendly pub with a brewery challenge taking place, great idea. All ales were in great condition.
Will visit again.
|
Went here early Saturday evening, good selection of ales and homemade pork pies with different toppings (black pudding one was good!).
|
lovely pub, hidden off micklegate. very friendly staff. olde wordly like many york pubs. good choice of ales including local ones
|
Well worth seeking out (look for the small sign at the end of the road). Nice place with good beer and friendly staff.
|
Popped in here after some disaffection set in among my friends at the arguably snooty Brigantes. It is tucked away round the corner off Micklegate in a rather pleasant little enclave; worth seeking out. The Ackhorne - is this the only pub with that name in the UK? - turned out to be possibly the exact opposite to our previous experience in that it is in no way pretentious or high-end, yet retains a traditional earthy pub atmosphere and is very genial. It seems to occupy that rare territory between community social club and boozer and I must say we all rather enjoyed it.
Whilst one will never find the diversity of cask beer one sess in its aforementioned nearby neighbour, that which was served was nicely-kept. I observed a large garden area to the rear which clearly would serve a good purpose on warmer evenings (in fact if we'd been here longer we probably could've got away with some al fresco aleage on Sunday afternoon).
There is a lot of space in this pub which I imagine serves it well for busier events or possibly functions; there is clearly scope for a big old hoedown and I really hope they do something of that ilk as it'd be a surefire success. No need to change anything here - all fine as it is.
|
Beer still very much on song, with generally an interesting choice.
Food excellent too....however very much a summer pub as the doors don't seem to close...!
|
I found this pub to be great !! loved, the beer was well kept, it was friendly and was just what we needed for a few beers on a Saturday afternoon. Although quite awkward to find, once you get there its worth it.
I sampled hobgoblin, Rooster and Deauchars all of which were in good condition. I didnt see any food being sampled... this pub will defo be on my list of York pubs to visit in the future.
|
Micklegate is one of the main drinking/clubbing streets in York and this is a nice quiet (although not too quiet) haven just off the main run. Not a massive range of beers but what they have is always good - I can't remember ever having a bad pint here - and served by friendly staff. A definite advantage - at least for a smoker or anyone who likes to drink al fresco - is a good-sized, covered and heated beer garden that is comfortable and often has a good atmosphere (the beer garden does often seem to have a faint smell of metal polish, which is intriguing but not unpleasant.) Not one for a lively night out of for a nice pint in pleasant surroundings you can't go wrong.
|
Its still on form...dumping the daft Green King pump, I understand....doesn't bode well though when they can't even be bothered to fix the outside lighting to the sign!! Pretty basic stuff surely...given its obscure location.
|
I found it an OK pub on a Saturday afternoon but not particularly inspiring, although the beer was up to standard.
|
Always worth a visit when I'm in York.
Good choice of unusual ales.
Tucked away up a side lane so avoids the hurly burly of large groups.
|
Yeah...beer cock on now. Look out for some unusual ones. Three different Brown Cow recently! Oh! open at mid-day everyday too. Bl++dy dangerous for a local!
|
pleased to report that the Ackhorne is open again!
Had a fine pint of Roosters Yankee in here on Saturday
|
Ha...meant Golden Ball or that last post made zero sense...see, still positive after a beer!
|
Currently opens at 4pm it seems through the week. Times to be revised soon. Worth a visit though (if you can) Brown Cow absolutely superb last weekend. Has to be said they still keep a good beer, though I prefer the Ackhorne personally...
|
seemed closed when I walked past yesterday afternoon....
|
They have a beer request box on the bar, so I guess the list is at least as good as before.
|
Is it still doing beers by Wylam, Northumberland etc or did that stop when the Local heroes company stopped trading?
As
|
Went in last week and seems to be back on it's feet ! Mainly Moorhouses beers plus a couple of Christmas specials. Nice pint of Black Cat !
|
York press says back open from 5pm 3:12:10, and the Golden Fleece is still trading.
|
lets just hope that this place opens up again soon . It was wrong the way it just seemed to petre out over the last couple of years.
It's a real diamond of a pub in York at its best
|
The York Press says it will re-open soon....
|
Closed as Local heros chain has gone under, taking all 18 pubs with it. In York that's Ackhorne, Golden Fleece, Tap an Spile. The pub trade paper today (Monday 29th) only mentions two in York as "iconic", Fleece and Tap...none more Iconic and arguably the oldest as the Ackhorne... they will be back, I have no doubt.
|
Closed - the local paper says the company jas gone bust. :(
|
Closed on a Friday night ???
|
Last time I visited earlier this year (I no longer live in York) I was very concerned about this pub - it seemed to have lost its way. But I was there last weekend and I'm delighted to say it now seems to back to normal: excellent! Good beers, good atmosphere, no terrible music, a decent mix of people (no idiots and no Micklegate Runners off the main track). Please keep it this way... it's one of the very best pubs in York when it is on form.
|
Great pub, the beer is never a let down, though I generally go for the Roosters Yankee.
|
Bit worried about the recent reviews so I determined to visit after a couple of years absence. All I can say is that it was well-frequented mid-Saturday afternoon. Ale was fine and a very comfortable, convivial atmosphere, just as I remembered it. Remains, therefore, one of my favourite pubs in York.
|
Went in last week. Still quiet, but deserves better custom. New owner has put on 2 more handpumps and now concentrates on Yorkshire local / micro brews. Pint of Copper D Black Gold was "spot on". We will be returning. Apparently Deuchars IPA and Roosters Yankee are standard issue supported by another 4 ! Well worth a visit
|
Don't know what is going on here!
Beer is still as good. Pub used to be busy but the last few times i've been in the place has been virually deserted
Having an old guy trying to tap money for beer doesn't help the situation
.
.
|
Good pub which has been through a bit of a rough patch. (been drinking there since '88). New enthusiastic tenants. An open mike music night on Tuesdays and a popular quiz night Sundays.
Very interesting and ever changing range of unusual and well-kept ales from the likes of Ossett, Durham, Rooster's and Northumberland.
Well worth a visit
|
Nice pub down an alley off Micklegate.
fairly large pub with an outside seating area for the smokers. Pretty quiet though.
7 beers on ranging from �2.75. The 2 I tried where excellent. Food menu wasn't sampled but looked to be reasonably priced pub grub.
|
I'm slightly worried about this pub. When I've been back in York (I live in London) I've always gone there and loved it but last time I was in, about a month ago on a Friday night, it was quieter than usual and the mix of people was not the same as before. The music and the atmosphere was rubbish - are the owners trying to turn it into a 'just off the Micklegate Run' bar? Please don't ruin it! Maybe it was just a bad night (it was my first visit since Christmas) but it definitely seemed different. I've been going there since about 1992, not that often at all now, I admit, but if it continues like this the Golden Ball and Swan minutes away will be a better bet.
|
Decent pub, not always easy to find.
And it's pronounced 'Acorn' not 'Ack-horn', if you need to ask a local person.
|
Nice backstreet pub, decent beer, off the beaten track so not packed (but still busy).
|
Good beer - well worth a visit
torra - 16 Jan 2010 17:27 |
I always visit this pub while in York, but although it is a friendly pub it always seems quiet. Hardly anyone in and due to its size there was a cold feel to it. Had Old Bear Estivator and Wylam Northern Kite. The Old Bear was not at its best and I wondered whether there is a large enough clientelle to keep the large range of ales moving. Won't stop me popping in though. They are holding a party for New Year's Eve and I reckon it would be seen at its best then.
|
This pub is well worth seeking out, although really it is only a short walk off a main town centre road. It was very quiet when we popped in - 3pm on a Thursday afternoon but there was an interesting range of beers on and the one I tried was superb.
The honey roasted peanuts were very nice too.
|
Friendly pub out of the main areas of York, but still within easy walking distance. It was very quiet on our visit, but still had a decent range of Real Ales. Nice and relaxing, it would make a good local.
|
Good pub. Friendly staff and great beer.
|
Always worth a visit when in York.
Manages to avoid the more rowdy elements due to it's location.
Good choice of Real Ales.
|
The self declared "Oasis off Micklegate". Great ales. A true pub in the area. Good outside area. Food was good last time i ate here although that was a year ago.
|
Wonderful pub full of character still despite the refurbs some time back now. Good beers, friendly atmosphere and hidden away enough off the Micklegate Run to deter idiots. Can get very busy some nights (a good sign, I guess). Would definitely recommend it.
|
No nonsense but comfortable, old style boozer with leaded glass everywhere. Six good guest ales and a range of fairly standard UK kegs but with a couple of more acceptable ones. Basically one big room with a bar counter at one end, you can still see the remnants of the old three room layout notably in the
titled leaded windows. Up a small alleylike road off Micklegate as other reviewers have said.
|
Visited at 4pm on a wednesday.pub was completely empty,so i hesitate to serve any real judgement on the pub as i feel it would be unfair due to the odd time to visit.Landlord was good enough to switch heaters on though when we nipped out to rear beer garden for a smoke.Enjoyed an old rosie cider,which was perhaps somewhat more expensive than other York pubs.I always find anti-drug posters on pub walls a bit off-putting too.I doubt i could find this place again without the help of a locals directions.
|
I always try to pop in on the few occasions that I visit York for work. This is an under-stated, quiet pub that serves good ales in a friendly manner.
It is hard to find if you are not equipped with a map or directions, so if you are from out of town, be warned.
|
A very good find down a narrow side-lane off the main street, this retains the air of a locals-only pub within the city centre.
Pub was apparently refurbed in the early 90's (not you'd necessarily notice), so it was good top see the stained-glass windows being retained.
The main bar is a fairly spartan, with a bare-floorboard look and bench seating, though there's a carpeted snug a bit further over that has some Civil War tit-bits for viewing.
The range of ale was good as was the quality. Atmosphere inside felt good and covivial.
Would return.
|
Great pub just off Micklegate for if you don't fancy the usual student haunts on a night out. Friendly with students as well as locals. Decent ale selection, plus Weston's Old Rosie cider on tap (though expensive).
|
Nice pub down an alley away from the Micklegate madness. Always has two or three guest ales on alongside a Roosters brew. Used to be really smoky before the ban and somehow still feels a bit that way. It's probably just my residual memory playing tricks. We always call in here for one ot two whilst in York. I picked up a copy of Ouse Boozer to read here. When we got back to the hotel I realised it said "Pub copy - please do not remove". We were going home the following morning so couldn't drop it off. Sorry guys.
|
Late review from November. Always call in as beers can vary, but although the beer served well it has not had the atmosphere of the other York pubs.
|
Very quiet in here on a Sunday afternoon, unlike all the pubs on the main drags. Worth the small detour. Real ales on offer were Roosters Yankee, Leeds Midnight Bell, Wold Top Falling Stone and Rudgate Battle Axe. The cider was Weston's Old Rosie.
|
back street pub well worth searching out,close to the city centre but a world away from the chain pubs.
anonymous - 7 Nov 2008 11:05 |
Excellent pub down sidestreet off the main Micklegate run.
Had a good range of local ales during my recent visit and the two that I tried were in good order. Quiet, traditional pub but well worth a visit for the range of ales and to escape the lagerboys in Mickelgate.
|
All been said. Excellent real ale pub, nice and quiet off Yorks Micklegate meat market. Try the Roosters Yankee!
|
This is a quality pub, especially at lunchtime. I visited the pub recently for lunch on a few occasions. The place was very clean and tidy, the staff friendly, the beer was good and the food tasty and reasonably priced. Couldn't fault a single thing.
|
Great pub close enough to the City Centre, but tucked out of the way of the meathead Micklegate clientele. Cask ales are both in good condition (especially Rooster's Yankee) and there are usually half a dozen or so to choose from. The sort of place to start a session before moving on to louder establishments.
|
I thought there would be big changes after the mad, egg pickling landlord left, but I am glad to say it does not seem to have changed much and has many plus points. I do have to comment on the beer price though. �2.50 plus for weak bitter is London prices. There are places, the Golden Ball for instance, close by which are 20p or more a pint cheaper.
|
This is another must for real ale lovers coming to York. Lovely comfortable pub with a good choice of ales on offer.
|
Great pub, great beer, great food, great staff, just great.
|
Really nice pub, midnight licence most nights, always good beer, and a changing selection unlike the Golden Ball. Has real cider, and usually a small number of students who get dragged in by a friend to try it...
Generally quiet and amicable, a bit of a haven from Micklegate's nightly chaos.
|
So has the landlord who made pickled eggs gone then? His chili eggs will be sadly missed, although his green mint sauce ones will not be, especially as he refused to make any new chili ones until all the old ones, including the green ones, were sold.
|
Nice local, good selection of beer. Ales are top notch.
|
This is my local, every Sunday night for the quiz (Team Y.O.G.). The rest of the week I'm everywhere and anywhere in the UK.
The beer is always excellent, with about 5 real ales on. It has changed hands recently and the first couple of weeks in March has run out of beer by Sunday night... no good to me. Had to make do with 2 real ales to choose from. Fortunately they still had Roosters Yankee all night.
p.s. for non-Vikings, the pub is pronounced 'Acorn'
|
Visited on a very quiet Sunday lunchtime. Decent and varied selection of beer, friendly barman. Decent decor, although the patiio was closed as part of the floor just inisde the door had been ripped up for repair. Just off the beaten track of the Micklegate hell-holes, would be interested to return again on a busy night to see how the atmosphere feels...
|
I was with The King on his last night. Great selection beer and a pleasant terrace at the back. Has a feel of a proper pub
|
Spent my last evening as a single man here. What more can I say???
|
The perfect local pub. Superb beer, particularly the sublime Roosters Yankee.
|
Has a very nice new out door patio, which has heaters for the winter, but at this time of year is a pleasant sun trap!!
|
I find this as a must when visiting, there was five real ales on tap, Buffys Amethyst, Springhead Roaring Meg, Roosters Yankee, Whitby Black Dog Rhatas and Deuchars IPA, there was also Westons Old Rosie Cider. A mixed crowd one or two I wasn't sure of but thats life, patio looks as if it could be busy all in all worth a visit.
|
A lovely, lovely pub with top-quality beers. The service is excellent and I've never had to ask for a top-up! The staff know what they're doing and, just as important, make an effort to train new bar staff in the peculiar ways of real ale buffs.
My only gripe is the inescapable fug of cigarette smoke that seems to pervade the place at busy times. Ventilation is non-existent. But, when it's quiet, there's no better place to go for a decent pint.
|
A proper pub, just a stone's throw away from the Micklegate madness. The Ackhorne will always be special for me and the missus because we met here (1996), and for our first six months together it was our local during the era of the legendary Tony as landlord.
|
top, top pub
j2006 - 14 Feb 2006 12:55 |
If you like smokey pubs with fat weird blokes sipping half pints then this is the place for you
anonymous - 15 Jan 2006 00:29 |
Wa serving Deuchars at �2.15, Barnstormer at �2.30 and Yankee at �2.20 all decent pints but as it got busy only one person serving, and when a barrel ran out several were stood waiting to be served, apart from that very enjoyable night.
|
A really nice pub, near the centre of town, that serves a good choice of ale and beers for all tastes. Pleasant seating, inside with plenty of little nooks, but still some large tables, and an outside patio. A favourite pub, that I always recommend to friends.
|
A great little pub, the real thing.
|
I love this pub1 Friendly patrons, great beer. I love the Exmoor Hart and the ginger pickled eggs!
|
I visited the pub on the 8th February. The beer was very good. There were around 6 real ales mainly from micros. I didn't had food, but apparently it is good. Great pub.
|
I'm not a frequent visitor, as I live in London, but on the two occasions I've visited I've been given a warm welcome. The beer is top quality, and I shall certainly be returning to this splendid pub very soon.
|
much improved since my last visit. Back to how it was a good few years ago
|
Great proper pub. Takes some finding, but well worth it.
anonymous - 4 Jan 2005 15:38 |
fantastic pub, try the real ales and the range of world beers.
Andrew - 19 Sep 2004 20:34 |
An enjoyable place for a few pints of real ale. Excellent selection (great IPA's!) on tap when I was there in July '04. Out of the way place (but not hard to find), friendly crowd, staff and landlord.
Harry - 16 Aug 2004 19:25 |
The best pint of Guinness in York
Neil - 5 Jul 2004 23:14 |
Nice traditional pub out of the way of passing traffic. Has nice range of beers and lagers and is pretty popular in evenings. Can be very crowded at times although service still remains good.
Christopher - 21 Jun 2004 13:41 |
Brilliant but basic lunchtime food, the ham and eggs are very generously served. Oakham JHB and Deuchars IPA meant I didn't sample the other beers, both excellent as ever. Worth finding I'm sure you will agree.
G - 7 Dec 2003 17:57 |
ROOSTERS YANKEE SIMPLY THE BEST PINT IN YORK,COME TO THINK OF IT THE BEST PINT IVE HAD IN THE WORLD
SUNDAYS A BIT NAFF WITH THE QUIZ NIGHT BUT I SUPPOSE IT BRINGS IN THE PUNTERS
K HARRIS - 11 Oct 2003 16:59 |
Smashing difficult to find pub, and long may it stay that way.
Paul - 10 Oct 2003 13:55 |
Definitely a good 'un, situated behind a church and just off the white-trash infested hell that is Micklegate.
Wasn't overly full when I was last in there (a while back, admittedly) but the beer was very good indeed. One of York's best kept secrets - long may it remain so.
Simon - 23 Sep 2003 12:11 |
Lovely unpretentious local, real ale, very popular with a mixed crowd. Down a little lane off busy Micklegate. Small garden (concrete courtyard in the middle of the building, not enormously nice). Friendly landlord, good beer, always a friendly atmosphere.
Gabrielle - 22 Sep 2003 20:53 |
