The Blue Bell Pub York , Probably The UKs Most Interesting Pub

[@chris-cole]

Kudos to that landlord who knows his history of his establishment. What a wonderful video! Well done Simon!!!

[@jurghhh1528]

Fantastic. Someone try explaining to the government how important pubs are to communities. Folks should be out socialising in pubs not on the sofa at home with supermarket tins. Reduce the tax burden on pubs.

[@fellrunner1964]

How it once was and by all accounts should be again..🍺🇬🇧

[@jonathanmorrison2225]

I am from America and visited England and Scotland. I have been to a lot of places on this planet but nowhere do pubs compare to the UK. Just amazing and very friendly folks.

[@Godzilla-t1z]

Agree absolutely...pubs are great

[@chrismetcalfe1511]

Just paid my first visit to this pub, having lived in York some years ago. It is completely great - I'm not the most sociable (putting it mildly) but ended up spending an evening chatting to the locals.

[@Serpsss]

John is an absolute legend who's had to fight tooth & nail to keep the pub going. I don't get to go to York that often but whenever I do I like to spend time in the Blue Bell & for me it is the best pub in the country out of the many I've been in.

[@lateseptembersun2987]

What a fantastic pub!! A true historical gem that should always be treasured. I wish all pubs were like this

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Blue bell is my favourite & has been for years. Enjoy & merry Christmas 🎄🎅🏼👍🍺🍺🍺

[@underneonloneliness2]

Makes me so happy to see a proper pub like that. Nice friendly staff, lots of character and decent pints by the looks of it.

[@Phil-Mar]

First time on your channel and beaming ear to ear. John is the perfect landlord!

[@arthurmatthews9321]

What an amazing place. I love York and the history of the city. But this pub is next level. Johns passion for the place and his knowledge about the history is infectious 😊

[@Torchlighterofold]

Glad you love it too, it’s probably my favourite pub as well. Deffo up there for me

[@craigb2644]

Great to see Simon getting out the house. He's like a kid in a sweet shop when he's in a nice pub.

[@michaelclark4855]

Outstanding, you'll never get better than authentic decor! 👍

[@Sun-Eater616]

Absolutely love this pub. First time we visited we managed to get into the front room one dark cosy evening and was greeted with free cheese on the bar 😆 Been a must visit when we go to York ever since.

[@stevejeffery6845]

What a beautiful pub absolutely stunning just love pubs like that imagine having that as your local.

[@Badawh]

That was a cool video. Great to see a place like that with a landlord with such passion for the history of the place. It will be my first port of call when I next visit York 👌

[@benzinapaul7416]

Fabulous video. You need to go and interview Dan the Landlord of the Black Horse in Preston, the only pub with an entrance on 3 different streets and a beautifully preserved interior, great beer too.

[@markbrennan4693]

Best yet, going to visit the Blue Bell asap. Nice one.

[@mrkitewine7700]

Lovely looking pub. You would like my local, the Tamworth Tap, it has won CAMRA's national pub of year for the last 2 years (2022 & 2023). There are several other real ale pubs in the town too, so it is a great town for a pub visit.

[@davebarron5939]

Wow! love the history and the stories, too good, Thanks!

[@thfccfht]

great stuff, I really enjoyed that.....love you to do more just like this, a pub tour by the owner explaining the History...I had a Paulaner Dunkles Weissbier for company... terrific..

[@stevenweasel2678]

CLOVES / Not struck

[@MacGiollaFhiondain]

Great work. Need more of these videos, especially the full version which this is from. Great insight. Tour Ireland and Britain and you'll find hidden gems like this. Any ideas for a follow up video of this style?

[@michaeldibb]

I used to drink here in the 80s. The OLD landlady who ran it still used a pre-decimal cash register.

[@LewisParry16]

Fantastic mate, will have to visit this next time we’re in York, amazing how York City was formed in that back room, proper history right there 👍

[@thomasconc]

This is a fantastic visit, great content. I have to have a pint there!! I brew my own beer over here in Australia, but I am originally from Belfast and lived in London, Manchester and back in Belfast more recently. Just love a great homey pub. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@42Hertzer]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing, what a passionate pub owner!

[@RFraser-t6o]

Great vid 👍, that pint he pulled looked fantastic ,great pub

[@neilbettle6075]

I would have never gone into this pub, but when we visit in October it’s an absolute must - right down my street this. Thanks for sharing 👌🏻

[@chrisfox3161]

Don't miss it. It's a really friendly place.

[@longslonk]

Love the show of the blue bell pub York Please please go round all the interesting pubs in England no-one does that l know, l will promise to watch them 😊

[@realaleguide]

Have you seen my pubs of Bath video? Similar pub there that is listed inside

[@crishierro]

Will be visiting this pub tomorrow as planning day trip there. Love the vid Simon. So good to see you out of the kitchen and into the pub environment. It's like a new side to Simon I haven't seen before and it's very welcome. Thanks a lot for posting

[@Megavector2022]

Amazing, never knew about the layout of the pub. I'm from York and I've been going in on and off since I was 18 (maybe, a little younger, lol). I'm 62 now so 44 years. I remember the Mrs Pinder years, she shunned modern cash registers and decimalisation, she used an ornate manual one in pounds shillings and pence and converted the price in her head. There weren't many hand pumps either, they used plastic beer engines situated on the bar back in the day, operated by a little lever.

[@badhamian]

That's not just a great Pub that's a living museum with an incredible curator (the Landlord) Great video Simon! York is a fantastic historic City. The Minster, the streets, The National Railway Museum, the pubs are all gems!

[@andymartin3039]

Fantastic video, lots of really interesting facts. I've been to York many times but only found this pub last year, what an establishment, full of character, great beers, definitely one of the best in York.

[@thehoptimist]

Really enjoyed this glimpse into the Blue Bell. Thanks Simon. Cheers!

[@djonfonsteen6331]

Brilliant work. You can't beat York. I'll be there this summer at some point. You must visit the traditional pubs in Manchester. Marble Arch, Peveril of the Peak, City Arms and The Old Wellington. 🍻🤘 edit Sorry I've missed loads that deserve a visit. Ps John is a top bloke indeed!!

[@stevecharlton-wood4433]

Top notch video Simon, what a fab little gem that Blue Bell pub really is, and so interesting all that history behind it. Will have to go and sample a pint from there sometime. Thank you for sharing it with the nation 👍🏻

[@neil796]

Great video Simon I love York, was there recently had a few nice pints at the ‘three tuns inn’

[@yorkiegeoff1825]

This is absolutely fascinating , big thanks to both of you 👍

[@dietrichess9997]

That was so interesting! Thanks! I have been watching videos about Northern pubs (I'm in Canada) at Yule, Christmas time, the season... But this video came on and I see it's from seven months ago. Not sure if anyone will see this, but Happy Yule, Happy Christmas, have a great New Year! My grandparents on both sides are from Northern England and Scotland, but we have Anglicized Scandinavian surnames, and I'm sure that's common in your area. I love these York pub videos. 🙂

[@Matt-Scarface]

I don't comment on many of your videos Simon, but felt I had to for this one. Well done mate, thoroughly enjoyed it. "Stone the crows" ... 10/10

[@mikemundy5685]

One of your best videos, Simon! That land lord is ace. Really interesting and I’m definitely going for a pint in there next time I’m up in York. Keep them coming! Imagine the paperwork for new electrics in that place!😂👍

[@chrismeister77]

What a genuinely nice bloke to show you around like that, and it's great that he knows the history of the place. You can tell he really cares about it too. I'm in the North East and visit York 3-4 times a year and have always passed this place but never yet stopped in. I'll be sure to have one next time I'm passing, what a cracking little pub! Exactly what a boozer should be

[@Sorelizard]

Heck yeah!! I absolutely love these videos. Thank you very much Simon!

[@martinlangford940]

Wow ,well done Simon ,that was an amazing pubumentry.

[@michaeltaylor2402]

Great video Simon what a cracking looking pub great atmosphere as well and a lovely pint also to enjoy 😊

[@simon3824]

The Bluebell , what a fabulous historical real boozer… Will visit when next near! 👍😀🍺

[@marks7981]

Makes me want to visit York. Thanks for the great tip

[@daveharrison61]

Been there several times since me and the missus discovered it between lockdown 1 and 2. Both of us worked in the pharma sector and had been doing 60-80 hour weeks when we both crashed and went for a weekend away in York. Every time we go to the city we put money in the till

[@glebe9]

I can't believe you walked past the Golden Fleece!!! Beautiful old pub. Also a must: the Golden Slipper, The Black Swan, The Red Lion, The Old White Swan amongst others. Also the Valhalla viking pub right near where you are sat outside.

[@Naturas_Pardus]

York is an absolute beast when it comes to real ale and classic pubs. Homebrewed goods left right and centre.

[@stevenweasel2678]

Very Interesting/ original unaltered Brit pub interiors , are mega rare. I am presuming back in 1903 the Robinsons had this pub as Freehold and it was not part of a brewery `Tied House `. P.s the fittings to the ceilings are / were known as ` Match Board ` commonly used on Brit Late Victorian and Edwardian public house interiors. P.S the beer looks great

[@sensational_cellar8606]

Wonderful regulars at The Bell. Must go back again 🍺 😊

[@matthewbannerman5958]

What an amazing video of a truly wonderful pub. I’m visiting York in September and my whole reason for my visit is to frequent this amazing unspoilt gem. 🍺👍

[@nitishthapliyal5716]

Very interesting video ☺️👍👍

[@UZI-Max]

What an amazing place ! Luv these historical pubs ! Great video 🍻🍻

[@grantm5210]

Fantastic video thank you hope to see more like this 👍

[@andrewsheppard7905]

Fantastic video, Fantastic looking pub

[@apollo.c.vermouth5672]

Part landlord, part historian, part curator! I remember the first two-part pour I ever saw after ordering a pint of Guinness at the Dublin Castle in Camden - the barman gave me a very patient, fatherly explanation after I tried to snatch it away three-quarters full.....

[@RoofLight00]

Nice! Going to York in a couple of weeks. Will look out for this pub and will definitely have a pint there!

[@simonsaysrewind]

Amazing pub. What a great place to work and drink 🍻

[@garethwilliams976]

Must try this one when next in York. What makes a pub good? Well kept ales with cheap prices and a great choice of local ones. Beyond that it gets personal. Some like nisy and some quiet. Some like screened football and others not. Some like to sit alone with a pint and others more convivial.. There is no pub that can be great for everyone.

[@Belfast-Biccy]

Loved the bar owners enthusiasm, great video

[@miamiwalking]

You need more videos like this one. Don't know how often you'll find such enthusiastic landlords such as this gentleman though. Great story.

[@MrHistorian123]

The Pubco tried to get John out a few years ago so that they could install a manager, as they'd make more money that way. We kicked up such a stink that the CEO of Enterprise or Punch (can't remember which) came up to see what all the fuss was about. He decided that this pub must not fall victim to the bean counters and offered John better terms to stay on. He could get a much bigger pub, but he cares passionately for the Blue Bell and wants to preserve it. He's written a book "The History of the Blue Bell 1798 -2018 and he's put "vol 1". Clearly he hopes that, in 100 years or so, someone will write vol 2.

[@strongmocha8564]

Been in this pub many times. Absolutely fascinating story of the history of this pib.

[@americasfavoritehoarder]

Thanks Simon. I thought you were go na chug down that 1st pint. I gotta get to York.

[@ramenlover334]

Please can you visit Lincoln at some time. Pubs around the castle are fantastic. The Vic, The stugglers, prince of wales, lion and snake. Then outside cathedral and castle there is the Magna Carta pub and Wig and Mitre. Great pubs and that’s just at the top of Lincoln. Then you have lots of pubs and bars in Lincoln city centre. I honestly believe you’ll enjoy it

[@johnp8131]

Brought back some memories of over forty years ago. We used to get a taxi from Scampton to the Saracens Head (Long gone, with Castle Eden ales) near the top of Steep Hill and crawl down to the Golden Eagle not far from Sincil Bank for a Batemans XXXB. Via the Duke William (Everards and Batemans XB), the Wig and Mitre (Sam Smiths back then), Roman Ruin near the Stonebow for a Youngers No 3 (Think it was a hotel cellar bar), The Still for an Old Peculiar, the Cornhill Vaults (Ruddles County, the original from Rutland when it was 5% on draught) and the Treaty of Commerce (Awful Ind Coope pub for ales forty odd years ago but it was one of my mates regular haunts along with the Crown and Cushion). Some are still there, some have changed their name and some no longer exist? And of course the Beer festivals on the Brayford and the Legendary off licence that was 'Small Beer", when it first started on Newland Street?

[@seniorslaphead8336]

Great content. Well done, fella.

[@BionicRusty]

Can’t believe that we were there at the same time. My daughter’s just finishing university, there, and we’ve had some great times up there over the past few years. This chap is the type of landlord the world needs. 🍻

[@paulcave8207]

Great pub, great video

[@kaiso4939]

What a nice pleace to drink a good beer!..and the wheater is fine! This is a please that it must be to there to drink a beer as an German in UK! Very nice plase!

[@BrewabitRick]

What a fantastic episode brilliant cheers 👍🍻

[@jackwhittingham354]

Brilliant video mate 👍

[@Norfolknoel]

Looking forward to the next one 👍

[@xjamis]

I love love loved this video!

[@liamo8932]

John seems like a great guy! Enjoyed this episode

[@leeBoy1867]

Bloody loved this 👏

[@richardgriffiths3218]

Blue Bell IPA....I don't think there's a better IPA on cask in the UK! Splendid pub 🍻

[@johnp8131]

Marvelous boozer, did the Blue Bell, plus a few others before covid struck. To be honest, we came by train and I could have stayed in the York Tap at the Station all day!

[@BiteziBits]

Loving the pub videos

[@sicr7373]

What a lovely chap John is...!

[@MrHistorian123]

I've known John for very many years and he's one of the nicest guys you could meet. That's not put on: that's how he is. He cares passionately for his pub and its history and he keeps amazing beers. 7 handpulls for such a tiny pub is testament to the business it does. My favourite is the Blue Bell IPA, brewed especially for the pub by Brass Castle brewery in Malton. But you'll never get anything less than a very, very good pint in there. I think it's the best pub in York, and there are many stunning ones.

[@ph8197]

Awesome 👍🍺

[@damian-795]

We love you Simon 😎😎😍😍 have a good one

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

would drink in here when revising for maths exams at York uni. decent price, and quietish in mornings, didnt make the calculus any easier :P

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

If you want another fascinating pub visit the Highwayman Inn at Sourton in Devon. And The Three Little Pigs in Crediton.

[@wildthing6668813]

The blue bell is a great pub I've spent a lot of time in that pub it's also one of the pubs that doesn't accept card payments I stand corrected it does now by the person I saw paying with a card.

[@dlittlester]

I wish I'd had a better view of the pub when I visited York back in 2013. I walked by the pub many times, feeling a bit uncomfortable. At the time, there was a rumour that the owner didn't like tourists, because they took up room that the regulars took. So I visited lots of pubs in York the week I was there, but I never made it to this one.

[@jeffreyokeefe3694]

Used to drink in the HOLLANDS pub in Stepney, Ben, the barman used to say when pulling a pint was 1 long pull, then a short pull, any comments appreciated.

[@martinkasper197]

Sightseeing special.. Weihenstephaner is a great Weissbier...🤓👍🤘🍻

[@spencerevans5261]

What was the first pint you had?

[@spencerevans5261]

Sorry, I meant in that post when you got to York… your 20min pint!

[@joinmeonthedarkside2]

Timeless...

[@Chiswick-Edward]

This is how pubs used to be in London, lovely experience

[@HughRaine]

John has a look of Eric Idle!

[@martinkasper197]

Getting blue in the Blue Bell on a Blue Monday? 🤣🤣🤣🍻

[@robrn1975]

Yes mum Lovely jubbly

[@isotopia7681]

1903, things were made to last in those days!

[@paulshirley6383]

The Blue Bell Pub York , Probably The UKs Most Interesting Pub Real Ale Craft Beer LOVE LOUIS SHIRLEY

[@tosbaksutosbikosnuryuzlu]

hallo from turkey

[@mrchips1795]

Pivni, Valhalla and House of Trembling Madness are my faves.

[@realaleguide]

Yes fantastic pubs.

[@stevenweasel2678]

ah Yes real traditional Old English pub signs / names. *Oddly though NOT documented in Larwood & Hottens classic 1884 publication on the subject ` A History of Sign Boards ` . * hmmmm, Now I wonder why

[@mrchips1795]

​@@stevenweasel2678Go to pivni then, you can tell me how bad it is. It's a grade 2 listed, 16th century building with great folks and great beers. What else do you need? Get a grip

[@gardenjoey]

hmm...probably ? like carlsberg probably the best beer in the world? :D :D

[@gourdbox]

Wallace has SACKED YORK!!!

[@fellrunner1964]

The reason he knows all this is because he’s a time lord not a landlord..🤔😂🍺