The Blue Bell

The Blue Bell, York YO1 9TF

A tiny terraced pub on Fossgate just off the heart of the city. The exterior is plain and unassuming with just a single window facing the street. The interior was remodelled in 1903 and is untouched since then. It’s a classic two-roomer, with front bar, rear snug, central servery and corridor along the left-hand-side. It has been described as “a symphony in brown”. Both bar and snug have extensive fixed seating. About six cask beers are served, but it’s more a pub for regulars and pub connoisseurs than beer tickers. Food is limited to lunchtime sandwiches. The declared capacity is a mere 60 people, so admission may be refused to large parties on weekend evenings, something to which the local CAMRA branch seems to have taken exception.