York has some amazing cocktail bars, serving traditional drinks as well as more innovative cocktails. We have tried a few out and will carry on adding to the list (it’s a hard life, right?). The title ‘best cocktail bars in York’ might be a bit of a misnomer, but it more catchy than ‘some really great cocktail bars that we have tried and would recommend’! If you have any suggestions of a York cocktail bar you have been to that I’ve missed out – let me know!
Impossible York
3 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QN
Impossible York is housed in the beautiful building that what was originally Terry’s Chocolate shop in St Helen’s Square. As well as breakfast, lunch and dinner and a fabulous weekend bottomless brunch, they also do some delicious sounding cocktails like the Enchanted Rose (gin, rose syrup, rose bitters and lemon) and the one I’d like to try – the Terry’s Orange Martini (York Chocolate and Orange Gin, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur, Creme de cacao and Terry’s Chocolate Orange).
See our full review of the bottomless brunch at Impossible York here.
The Botanist
15-19 Stonegate, York YO1 8ZW
The Botanist is a pretty spot on Stonegate and have an extensive cocktail menu with drinks such as:
Rhubarb and Sage Spritz
Portobello Road Gin, rhubarb liqueur, ginger ale and rhubarb and sage cordial
Lily Pad Sour
Beefeater Gin, Midori, apple and basil
Hawaiian Punch
The Duppy Share Spiced Rum, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, passion fruit, pink grapefruit liqueur and pineapple
Pineapple & Sage Mojito
Jawbox Pineapple & Ginger Gin, yuzu liqueur and sage
We recently reviewed lunch at The Botanist here.
Fancy Hanks, York
39 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS
Fancy Hanks is a new and welcome addition to York serving American deep South good mood food. When we visited we tried the MISSISSIPPI – ‘Til The Cows Come Home’, consisting of Vodka, Chocolate Liqueur, Crushed Oreo Biscuit, Dark Chocolate Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Milk. Basically an alcoholic milkshake! Priced at £6.50. (They do an non alcoholic version too for the drivers).
Fancy Hanks also offer Cocktail Masterclasses, which sound great! “These fun classes are ideal for all kinds of get togethers, birthdays, hen and stags, office parties, private or corporate…as long as there are at least 4 of you, we can make it happen.”
Chapter House Bar in The Principal, York
Station Road, York, YO24 1AA
The Principal is the large and beautiful hotel next to York Station. If you are early for your train or at the start of a day out in York, it’s an ideal place to stop for a cocktail. The interior is gorgeously decorated and there are comfortable tables and sofas in the Chapter House Bar. We tried a Bramble Cocktail, made from Tanqueray gin, crème de mûre, lemon and sugar, and priced at £9.95.
Bora Bora
5 Swinegate Court East, York YO1 8AJ
Bora Bora have a lovely outdoor space so you can feel like you are on holiday whilst drinking your cocktails. “If you’re after thirst quenching, mouth watering, all round mind blowing cocktails, then come on down. Bora Bora is a one of a kind cocktail bar, offering delicious cocktails, made from the freshest ingredients for under £5.00.”
Thor’s Tipi
Based in Parliament Street at Christmas, and (in 2019) was at The Principal Hotel in the summer.
Thor’s Tipi is a seasonal popup Viking inspired bar that appears at the same time as York Christmas Market. They also have a summer ‘Sol Ast’ usually set in beautiful gardens somewhere with lanterns and fairy lights. We have tried lots of cocktails at Thor’s, including this Pink gin and Lemonade, priced at £7.25.
Cosy Club, York
19-22 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TA
The Cosy Club on Fossgate has a nice relaxed atmosphere. As well as food they have a good Cocktail menu. We popped in on a cold winter’s night and I tried this Vanilla Espresso Martini priced at £7.95. “Our own cold brew coffee syrup shaken with Smirnoff vanilla vodka, a hint of Tia Maria and a dash of chocolate bitters. Guaranteed to put the spring back in your step.”
Evil Eye York Cocktail and Gin Bar
42 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS
Evil Eye in York is a quirky bar on Stonegate in York. Their website says they are “Home of the bizzarre, weird and wonderful.” I have no photos as I haven’t visited since I was a student but the fact that they are in the Guiness Book of Records for their Gin Shop is very intriguing! Like Fancy Hanks, they also run cocktail classes. They run a ‘happy hour’ on Sunday to Thursday between 17:00 and 21:00 with various deals like any 2 x £6.50 cocktails for £10.00.
You might also be interested to read our posts on:
- Gin Bars in York
- Cocktail Bars in York
- Wine Bars in York
- Cocktail Making Classes in York
- Wine Tasting in York
- Gin Tasting Classes in York
- Bottomless Brunch in York
- Taxi Numbers in York
