As the old saying goes, there are as many pubs in the city of York as there are days in a year. And in any given year, York’s locals are likely to make dozens of visits to a significant number of these haunts. They can’t help it. The pubs are just everywhere. The city folk proudly boast that you can’t stand anywhere in York without seeing at least one pub 

It doesn’t take visitors to York very long to realize this is all true. Anywhere you look, there seems to be a bar or pub, welcoming visitors with open arms and promising a warm embrace.

York’s bars come in all styles and sizes, and there always seems to be another bar close by. The term “wall to wall bars” easily comes to mind in a place like York. Of course, abundance does have its benefits. If you happen to end up in a place you don’t enjoy, it’s easy to find another spot just a few steps away.

The beauty of York is that the pubs are plentiful but they are not run of the mill. There are great drinking places in town anywhere you go, ranging from traditional drinking spots to hip cutting-edge hangouts.

If you prefer the latter, then jot down the place called Bar 8 high on your list of nightspots to visit. It features chill-out music and is a favourite haunt of the so-called beautiful people. Just head down towards Manvers Street and look for the spot where a lot of well-dressed people are milling outside, filling the night with smoke.

If you prefer a relaxed, leisurely pace to your night or are winding down before heading home, then jazz is what you need. Located on Widcombe Parade, Ring O’ Bells offers some of the best jazz around. It’s an ideal venue for simply mingling and meeting new people. Their fine roster of wines is a welcome bonus.

On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for celebration and partying, Old Orleans will surely have your head bobbing and your adrenaline pumping. It’s crowded and loud, with alcohol flowing about generously. There’s nothing like deafening music and shouting yourself hoarse as you try to make conversation. You’ll feel really good a Old Orleans.

For a taste of something new and unique, a visit to York’s most haunted pub, The Crystal Palace, will get your heart racing. Rumour has it that the ghosts from as far back as 300 years ago, when The Crystal Palace first opened for business, continue to patronize the place to this day. Ghost-buster wannabes from all over regularly congregate on this haven on Abbey Green Street. It’s actually quite bright there and spacious, but you can’t help feeling that there’s something in the air.

There are lot of places in York that are ideal for dating or finding someone new to date. The city centre boasts of dozens of swanky places that feature a laid-back atmosphere that is conducive to romance. Places like The Pitcher & Piano and The City Screen, both located on Coney Street, provide an alluring view of the river, especially at night.

York’s hard-working corporate populace is likely to unwind after work at nightspots such as Casa, The Courtyard and The Slug & Lettuce. Meanwhile, the playboy millionaires are likely to be found at Knavershire’s racecourse, where members of The Royal Family also regularly make an appearance, particularly at The Courtyard. The Slug & Lettuce is where you will likely find York’s best barristers, doctors and accountants.

With your night winding down to an end, the perfect place for a lovers’ nightcap is Edwards on George Hudson Street, one of only a handful of York bars the operate until midnight. Unlucky bachelors who have not met anyone interesting or interested even at this late hour of the night consider Edwards their last port of call.

There are also a number of excellent bars in York that are gay-friendly, such as the Jack Tapas Bar. Located in Castlegate, this bar features the best tapas in town, which patrons regularly wash down while guzzling in-house Spanish lagers.

Meanwhile, for a wholly gay nightspot, nothing beats The Bay Horse, widely regarded as the leading gay bar in York. The place also serves great meals and a quiet ambience for lunch and dinner, and is a completely different allure at night. Alcoholic beverages are relatively cheap and flow freely throughout the night. The Bay Horse has become an informal gay landmark on Gillygate Street.

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