York Tap

I'm really surprised I've never reviewed this place and that's because it's so awesome I'd have thought I wanted to share it with the world straightaway!

But anyway, a 5 star review is here just because I've been a number of times and it's always done the business in being a perfect place to catch a pint (whether catching a train or not). Owned by the same guys as the Euston tap, Harrogate' Sheffield ones etc - they have a great niche in being able to offer a quality product at a place which usually struggle to do average well (think airports, most train stations...football stadiums...anywhere you're isolated basically...)

A great selection of domestic and imported beers on tap - plus loads of bottles, the York Tap is a great opportunity to keep missing that train!

I was getting slightly grumpy and hungry and not looking forward to the prospects of a sad chilled sandwich from York station at the start of a journey back on Sunday evening when I walked right into the York Tap and its glorious selection of ales and stained glass with views over the wall and nearby Royal York Hotel. Bf was v impressed with the beers, I had a Malbec so was happy. I also really enjoyed the pork pie with stilton and the cheese board contained a revelation: charcoal cheddar. Normally I prefer soft cheese but I basically ignored the brie (well not exactly of course: I still ate it) in favour of the cheddar which has a great flavour (truffley? smoky?). We rounded this off with some pate (all served with just the right amount of oatcakes) and decided to get the later train.

pint of Celtic Glory before jumping on the train!
Pretty standard train station pub.
I was just a flying visit.

Most station pubs are GRIM, sticky floors, terrible beers, plastic food and over inflated prices. The York Tap is thankfully not one of those pubs, a diamond in the rough of the station pub world.

Located by car park, between the main station concourse and the Royal York Hotel, it would be easy to miss the Tap but that would be unfortunate. Especially if you're a beer lover. There are tables 'outside', back from the main platform, as well as plenty of seats in the main bar area. The decoration is simple and traditional but everything is clean and well-ordered.

The bar itself takes center stage in the middle of the room, giving plenty of room for the many pumps for cask ale. It's this wide range of interesting cask ales that really sets the Tap apart. There were at least 20 ales and lagers on tap, showcasing a wide variety from different local breweries.

On my most recent visit myself and 2 colleagues were really struggling to choose from the excellent selection before us! In the end we each went for a different option and were all pleased with what we selected. And at £12.20 for 3 pints of craft ale in a station pub I was also very impressed with the prices!

So if you like beer and find yourself with a free half hour or more in or around York station then I recommend heading straight to the Tap, you won't be disappointed.

What else to say... The "TAP" s pub have got it superbly nailed as far as I'm concerned.

I'm forever a fan of the Euston Tap but the York Tap is the dream come true. Forget those dreadful stinking drunkholes at your train stations, this is the way to go.

Check out the pics I've just uploaded if you don't believe me. Awesome beers, plenty of it and a striking decor. Staff is more than happy to help you decide among the amazing array of pumps available.

If you do have the time, unlike me in this occasion, venture into York before you stop here though. You're likely to spend a lot longer than you think once you set foot in it...unless you have a train to cat....

Located in the train station, they have a huge selection of beers on tap. It is a nice place to catch a beer before catching a train.

Lots and lots and lots...And lots of beers to choose from. The grin on my face is from ear to ear when I walk into this place :D

Atmos is fine. Was quiet when I there, staff were chatty and location-wise is dead central in York.

Who would have thought a pub right outside the train station would be sooo good...

Usually they are a boring chain offering generic beer full of chavs...but this place I was pleasantly surprised...

I came here last night before I got my last train...and I love my ales...so this place really hit the spot for me...they had things from Devils ale which was 7% vol to flavoursome IPA's...I tried one cider however which was really salty and unpleasant but the bar staff were fine about swapping it..

This place is dangerous though! because the ales are soo good and if you are like me and want to try as many as you can...you will feel a little on the tipsy side...luckily my stop was the last one on the train so I could sleep some of this off :)

The decor is fab and it feels just like a good old fashioned pub with no hints of unoriginality...I will seriously come back to York again just to use this pub!

"A bright and bustling pub, its well worth a pop in even if you have no intention of getting a train"... that Yelper put it best to be honest, so kudos to you!

The only reason I'm not going with five stars is that it's gotten slightly dingier over time... it's by no means a dirty place, or anything of the sort, and perhaps I'm being unfair in all honesty, but it just seems to have digressed a bit in the cleanliness department since opening... had I not been a few times right at the beginning I doubt I would even have the gripe, so feel free to add that star back when reading on... I'm not even sure if you can keep a station bar pristine!

Above aside, this is a five star place... the selection of beers is nothing short of phenomenal, and it's got a cool layout to boot... if you're a beer guy or gal then this is a place for you, train or otherwise. While they carry a good tonic as well, Fentimans if I recall, a double Gin and Tonic comes at a price though... £7, which is a bit high for York, so this is definitely one for the beer lovers.

Any given time this place goes from a decent atmosphere to flat out busy - there's seating all around the bar with an on track outdoor area for those looking for a bit more openness, and you can always find a seat, but it definitely gets bustling at the right times.

I'm leaving this as one of my shorter reviews (a miracle!), this is a great bar with a seriously huge selection of unique beers on rotation in a lovely station - as others have said it may even be worth popping in even if you're not on an outbound or inbound train... suppose there's not much else to stay!

Seriously, you guys. I'm not going to start bemoaning the fact that Leeds station doesn't have one of these (OK, I just did) but this place is probably the best station bar I've been to. Ever. I mean, were it not in a station it would still deserve props, and for more than a few reasons.

Reason number one: The range of beers is exquisite. There's a row of ales, and when I say row, there's at least seven or eight choices. Added to that there's a row of craft beers too, again with at least seven or eight options. Think that's it? Nope, look into the fridges and behold a host of interesting bottles.

Reason number two: The bar man is incredible. He was mega welcoming, to start, and knew every single beer by heart - what characteristics they had, percentage, style, and whether or not he'd personally recommend it! It was fantastic, and really helpful if you want help trying something new.

Even the environment is cool, given that it's a station bar. Your best option is to try and nab the cosier booths around the edges, but it's no bad thing to sit on the other tables. You still have the vibe of being in transition, after all it's still a place a lot of people go to drink before or after a train, but I wouldn't have a problem treating it like a local.

Only thing I noticed to criticise was that there was a bit of flooding in the ladies' loos, but even so, not enough to mar my experience. If you've not been, take yourself to York for a day trip, and make sure you start and end the day here.