The Blue Bell

A lot of locals recommended this place to us, and I'm happy to report they are correct. This historic pub is owned by a lovely man who seems really happy with the place, explaining all the intricate differences between the local cask and keg beers. With pint obtained, we had some very interesting conversations with an old Yorkshire man. It was a great evening.

Came for a quick drink. Very busy place, victim of it's own success because nowhere to sit. Intimate cosy atmosphere, lots of history to the place. Good choice of drinks at reasonable prices. Friendly service. Just try not to go at peak times but well worth a visit.

Been wanting to try the Blue Bell for ages, just never had the chance. Finally got the opportunity today and it didn't disappoint. Stopped in for a half, but luckily ended up having time for two. Brass Castle session IPA (brewed for the pub) & Timmy Taylor's Landlord both absolutely singing on cask. Lovely chilled out, but cosy atmosphere. Pies looked absolutely banging too. Will be back for sure

A proper pub with proper pub people. Don’t talk on your phone, don’t swear, order a pint and have a good time. The staff is brilliant, the structure quite quirky (the bar is basically in the middle, breaking the pub in three - front, back and corridor). The regulars are friendly, good banter and you can catch some tidbits of local events. If you visit York you can’t miss it. Or maybe you just prefer to swear on the phone, and in that case this is not for you.

Down from Scotland for my wife's 70th. Visited for a drink, liked the place so much we returned a couple of more times. Pork pies and homemade chutney were very good. Early Sunday evening the excellent staff supply free cheese and biscuits. The only worry I have is I may not get in if it gets too busy because of this review.

One of the smallest pubs I've ever seen and enjoyed a pint in. There are two rooms with the darker one in the back being quite cozy and therefore encouraging conversation with others. The bar window is right there so it's easy to order a pint (or even some small pork pies) in this room without going out around to the front bar. The front room is brighter as it faces the street. Considering this is right in the middle of the most touristy sections of York, I was impressed with how many locals were inside, how friendly the bartender was (pours a great pint), and how relaxing it was overall. Such a great history here and an institution for a reason. Will absolutely return when I'm back in York.

The Blue Bell is the smallest pub in York dating from 1798. The unspoiled interior has a front bar and a back room served from a central bar with a corridor down the side. There is an excellent range of drinks including hand pulled cask conditioned real ales. Some regular and rotating guest beers. The interior dates from 1903 and is grade 2 listed. The Pub does not serve meals, but they do sell some very nice pork pies. The pub is regularly in the camra good Beer Guide. This is a lovely cosy pub, and a visit is highly recommended.

Small, bustling little pub with two rooms and great cask beer. Great story behind the pub too

We only wanted pubs with no music, machines, yobs or cell phones. It's tiny and suited our party of 4 nicely. The bartender let me have a picture behind the bar. Small enough that you can engage with other fellow imbibers if you wanted to...what a concept, social discourse with others and a curiosity in fellow men.

A quirky haunt favoured by locals an tourists alike. We witnessed quite a turnover in customers whilst there for just under an hour. The interior is basically as it was in 1903 and both bars are compact so sharing a table with strangers is quite likely to be necessary. There are 8 ales on tap and all are well kept, well priced and well poured.

Great little pub this has become my local of choice, they serve 7 real ales, some change on a regular basis, and some are permanent, Taylor's Landlord and farmers blonde & bitter been the regulars with a roosters the other 3 change on a regular basis Smokers have to go outside due to the UK no smoking in public places policy even though old signs remain like etched glass stating smoke room They don't accept groups over 5 people and no children. You are asked to go outside to use your mobile, and if you want to hear the other person you would be advised to as the volume in the main bar gets pretty loud

A REAL pub with proper old atmosphere! its very small tho so don;t expect to get a seat! There are always a range of excellent Ale's on offer. The staff are very helpful and polite!

One of the nicest pubs in York - small and atmospheric with a historic interior serving well kept real ales and good food (when available). Can be quite difficult to find a seat at busy times, but easy enough midweek and Sundays when it is a good place to sit and relax to quiet jazz.

great pub, with guest beer, and friendly staff. very small in size. according to a friend its york smallest pub, you can get only 3 to 4 people to the bar. but its a great pub!

The TINIEST pub in the city centre! Great real ale, and a very local flavour- and you are guaranteed not to get a seat! Every year the pub puts on a street festival to raise money for charity, which is quite good- outdoor tents in the street and hamburgers and hotdogs and plastic pint glasses of ale. Recommended for the novelty value, but there are plenty of places in York specialising in real ale where it's possible to get a seat