please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Several real ales on during my visit unfortunately the young lady serving lacked the skill to pour a proper or a full pint. Premises were a bit dull and dingy but I bought a second round to see if things would improve. It didn't. Not one of the cheaper bars in York either. Seems to be mostly catering for the tourist trade. Certainly will not be rushing back.
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Large multi-roomed Nicholsons pub in the centre of York, with a number of different bars. Different ales are on in some of the bars. The beer selection was Leeds Pale, Thwaites 13 Guns, Woodfordes Norfolk Hawker, Nicholsons Pale Ale, John Smiths Cask, Fullers London Pride, Marstons Pedigree, Kirkstall Three Swords, Broughton Brewers Gold, Sambrooks Lavender Hill & Artisan Amarillo. No real ciders, as far as I could see. But I did try a Weston's Mortimer's Orchard cider from the keg - one I hadn't seen before. Busy. But there was plenty of seating.
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4th pub in York, another Nicholsons house...with a good and varied range of ales.
5 ales on the hand pumps, my choice was Jarrow Brewery's Isis @ 5.0%, another quality pint.
Superb barman, not come across a guy this good for a long time. I commented on he's cheerfulness...truly a good worker with a smile on he's face....you don't see in London very often!
Large pub that on the day I visited had a separate bar and dining room, though the dining room was not that busy when i walked through it.
High vaulted ceilings, with wagon wheels on display.
Again a quality town centre pub.
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A Nicholson's pub. Sprawling with several different seating areas and bars and plenty of wood paneling. The staff were friendly and attentive. Lots of real ales on offer. Yorks Terrier, Titanic Cappuccino, Doombar and Nicholson Pale Ale were just a few.
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Went here on a Saturday lunchtime before going to the football. The staff were very welcoming and attentive. A good choice of ales and of good quality, the service and food were both good. Worth a visit.
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The Old White Swan is quite a pleasant old coaching inn, and my first impression was that it had the look of a pub group �refurb�. Sure enough - it is one of the Nicholson chain, with some nice Victorian features behind the bar.
It was rammed when I walked past earlier in the evening, and had quietened down considerably upon my return. The bar staff were most polite and attentive, and I partook of an extremely potable pint of Salopian �Darwin� at �3.05. John Smith�s cask Bitter was also on offer, along with Cropton Brewery �Red I.P.A.�, Thornbridge �Jaipur�, and most unusually, all the way from Michigan, North Peak Brewing Company�s �Furry Black I.P.A.�.
A not-to-be-sniffed-at 6/10.
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Big pub divided into several different bars, often confusing if you arrange to meet here. Great range of real ales. If you choose to eat here it is a chain pub and you get what you pay for.
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Nice enough pub, just don't order the steak. Popped in here a few times during my recent trip to York. Really nice interior with old beams on the ceiling. Food was great, and so were the staff. However on one evening I ordered a medium rare sirloin steak. For some reason it was tough and chewy. I notice from another review someone else had this problem too, so it seems it must be a regular occurrence.
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6 real ales on: John Smith's Cask (the regular), Yorkshire Terrier, Nethergate, Copper Dragon and others. Food great as usual. Staff friendly. Atmospheric pub. Beers in good nick. One pint I got was a bit vinegary and it was changed for another without hassle.
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A large old pub of the Nicholson gendre with a table service resturant and a bar resturant. on our visit at the weekend there were 6 ales on, I had the Jaipur and a Terrier both well kept.
Typical good value Nicholsons sausage pub although the toad in the hole was just 3 small Yorkshire puds rather than the large filled one.
Staff very friendly and the oly thing that let it down were the very sticky tables in the bar resturant side.
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This pub had a good choice of ales and food and had a friendly atmosphere
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One of those places that serves food all day, which is why we were there. Reasonable nosh, good service and a decent pint of Yorkshire Terrier.
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The Old White Swan is a large rambling pub with a number of different areas and bars set round a central courtyard.
Although not badged externally as such, it's in the Nicholson's stable and part of their Classic Pubs portfolio.
Inside, we learn that the pub is a collection of at least nine (!) buildings with a rather colourful history and that a variety of business have traded on the premises including a barbers shop and a coaching house inter alia.
The building dates from the 16th century and largely consists of old timber framed structures with much exposed brickwork.
There's the usual ghost stories connected with the pub. There's also some Guy Fawkes pictures, he was born nearby apparently.
In one room, a blackboard tells us that the pub has offered "44 real ales to date this year" which, given that it was late June, didn't strike me as being a particularly high number.
There was a good variety of real ales on offer in the two bars. The Thornbridge Wild Swan - � 2.95p - was a superb pint.
It's not in the must visit category, but I was quite impressed with this one.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010 my friend and I visiting York from Calgary, Canada stopped at "The Old White Swan" for supper. The pub and restaurant was busy and hopping with people. Once able to secure a table my friend and I polity waited for our server. Two gentlemen, one on business from Scotland and one on business from Durham, sat at out table as limited tables were available. After a while the gentleman from Durham went to order us a drink as we waited for our server and as our server proceeded to serve tables that entered the pub long after our table. Our server "Craig" approached out table to take our order. My friend ordered a medium rare steak and potato off the menu, I ordered a medium well steak and chips off the menu and the two gentlemen ordered steak and ale pie and burger and chips. The meal was ok. The steak was tough and chewy. The gentleman from Durham did not receive the salsa to go with his burger. The Man from Scotland stated his steak and ale pie was good. Our server "Craig" never made an attempt to check on our table to ask how the meal was or to ask if additional drinks were required. My friend and I much appreciated our new found company more than the food at "The Old White Swan." As per the gentlemen's advice for two Canadian travelers�s to visit Durham. We visited Durham and it was beyond beautiful. Thank you for recommending the very pleasant experience!
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Horrible, Horrible, Horrible.
I had steak and ale pie that needed a chainsaw to cut through. My wife had pea and asparagus risotto which was very nice but if she had been looking forward to the asparagus she would have been most disappointed. There were peas, broccoli, broad and green beans but not a whiff of asparagus. If they had said in advance that would have been ok but they didn't.
We would definitely not eat here again.
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Regular fixture on my nights out - v good range of ales. Recent visit included Roaring Meg and the mighty 5.9% Jaipur IPA on draught. Decent food too.
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Called in the Swan a few days ago and found it to be very nice. 8 real ale pulls this time which is quite a few more than I remember from before. There is a large sign above the Tudor Bar which targets the Old Swan having 200 guest ales as a goal for 2009 (the 2010 goal wasn't up there yet). Nonetheless, it seems that the standard is John Smith (bollocks) but that the guests are varied and quickly rotate. Had a very good Thwaites Nutty Black (mild) and enjoyed it very much! Also found the Rudgate Viking and the Cameron's White Christmas to be good as well.
The pub in split into 3 sections, all of which are very accommodating, so you can always find a place to plop oneself. The outside beer garden had a heater so even though it was -1c outside, you could still be fairly comfortable and have a few there. I thought that was a nice touch.
Barstaff were welcoming so I'll return one day to do some more sampling!
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Good selection of real ales, and does seem genuinely interested in keeping them well. Enjoyed Camerons Light Christmas, but can't say the same about the food.
I had the beef Sunday lunch, and would say that it was not very warm, the veg were tough as if yesterdays warmed up, I struggled to cut the Yorkshire puds and as for the beef - I struggled to chew some for a while but failed to be able to break it down at all so left it. When they came to see if everything was ok I had nearly finished the veg, and had to say no. I did get my money back but have noted it a good place to drink but not for a meal.
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The Swan has changed direction completely to concentrate on food. Still has music and quiz evenings.
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We called in last Thursday and found a well populated pub that wasn't too noisy. The T Taylors was very good.
We tried the food and can say that my fish and chips was excellent, a good and tasty portion, the batter was particularly good. The wife's gammon and egg was also of the same standard.
We can't say what the pub's like at the weekend but during the week it's fine.
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Someone, somewhere awarded this best pub status in York, 2007/2008. OK, I'll take their word for it and conclude that there was something lacking on my part. But a Saturday afternoon visit with a less than on form Tim Taylors, two or three milimetres from the brim despite the head (this was a halfpint), some extremely rowdy and attention seeking clientele adding to a general ambience of a typically overated city centre bar, sent me skulking off wondering what all the fuss was about. Can't see meself returning somehow.
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Late review from November when we called in to see what real ales were on. Enjoyed a Cairngorm and Batemans here.
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I always visited this pub when I was in York especially for the football on the 'big' screen and it was always busy. Sadly no more the pub seems to have changed and the large screen tv appears to have gone. It appears to be more towards serving meals than accomodating the drinking sports fans. It was very quiet when I was in and on asking the bar person 'what happened' they just smiled and said it was new management policy. A good pub spoiled.
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An interesting pub indeed with 3 parts to it including outdoor seating. Interesting history of the place as well including a peice of an old Roman column that was used to build it way back when! Several real ales on including a Bateman's brand.
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Unusual pub with the three interconnecting bars and the courtyard at the front. Average food, but usually quite decent beer with 3 real ales including Draught Bass. Rumours it is doing away with the big screen for sport could well break a winning formula for this pub. Hopefully it won't be the case, otherwise that will mean watching the football in that hell hole "The Cross Keys" or squinting at the small tellys in the "Golden Lion".
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A really good friendly place. The food is great, staaff are nice and is has a top atmosphere. Live sport is on quite a lot and thats good too! The music quiz on wednesday night is really fun! 1st prize is all the money from the kitty (everyones �1 quiz entry)and 12 cans, 2nd prize 10 cans, 3rd prize 8 cans. ( i think ive got that right). the host is really entertaining, so witty!
Customers seem relaxed and happy and its just a great place!
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Shed Seven occaisonally drink here, and Rik Witter still looks like he needs a bath
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Attractive pub, nice patio area which will be popular in summer. Not a great deal of seating inside and, as I visited on a Saturday, I was bombarded with football.
Fair selection of beers, reasonably priced. I would visit again, but not on a Saturday
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me and my wife had a lovely meal today,
i had rib eye of beef,and she had salmon,
both meals were superb no complaints at all.
the saff were very nice.
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A bit clique and some of the live bands should be done under the trades description act, but it stays open late.
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A nice city centre pub, offering lots to all. Firstly its a large place, with 3 indoor rooms or areas and an outside patio as well. Secondly they show sports on big screens, and have music evenings, they serve good lunches and have a reasonable selection of beers. It also now has a later license, closing at 12.
Only downside can be that despite its size it can be crowded, and smokey.
Nice place, check it out.
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Nice friendly pub with decent beer.
Really like the gay friendly bar to the right.
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One pub,situated round 3 sides of the entrance courtyard.Feels like it could be 3 separate pubs.Sat in the right side bar as you go in which gives a good view of the buildings structure-which is impressive.Well maintained pub with keen service.
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Large pub with 3 bars and a food hatch, has a lot going on during the week and gets busy at the weekend.
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