York is a popular destination for a weekend away as the busy city is jam-packed with Roman and Viking history, a vibrant street food scene, impressive culture, and a lot of great places to go for a drink.
Being particularly pet friendly, there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs in York you and your furry friend can visit after a trip around town or a walk along the River Ouse from the city centre, one of our favourite walks in Yorkshire.
Ye Olde Starre Inne
This characterful pub is the oldest continually-licensed premises in York and is full of history, and allegedly, ghosts. It’s been there so long it predates the shops, which is why it is set back from the street down an alley, making it easy to miss!
Only a short walk from the Minster, Ye Olde Starre Inne is not only the oldest in York, but it’s also family and dog-friendly too. There’s meals and real ales on offer for the humans, and water bowls and treats at the ready for your pooch.
Address: 40 Stonegate, YO1 8AS
Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 12:00 - 22:00
Shambles tavern
Despite its small size, the Shambles is full of charm and a lot of great food and drinks. Featuring a wall of ales and over 30 Yorkshire gins, it has a lot of choice for owners looking for a tipple. Thankfully, the pub is also dog-friendly too.
As well as sitting in the cosy interior, you can stay out in the food court of the famous Shambles Market where you’ll find shops and stalls selling a variety of drinks and snacks from around the world.
Address: 44 Shambles, Y01 7LZ
Opening Times: Various.
The Cross Keys
This handsome building dates back to the Victorian period and is a proper pub through and through. The Cross Keys is a homely spot to sit and sample some real ales and delicious pub grub, with water bowls and treats for doggy visitors too.
It’s a short walk from York Minster, the city walls and Dean’s Park, making it a great place to pause for a drink after exploring the city’s historic landmarks.
Address: 34 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF
Opening Times: Weekdays: 12:00-22:00 / Weekends: 10:00-22:00
Valhalla
If you fancy something a bit different or are visiting York for Viking history, head to Valhalla. This cafe/bar serves mead as well as the usual beer and wines. This feels like a drinking hall thanks to the beamed ceilings, chandeliers, long tables, and shields mounted on almost every surface.
And while Viking dogs of old would follow their masters to Valhalla, your own pooch can accompany you to the Valhalla bar and will get a bowl of water and plenty of fuss for being there.
Address: 4 Patrick Pool, YO1 8BB
Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 12:00-23:00
The Golden Slipper
If you’re looking for a traditional pub with the feel of a village local, stop by The Golden Slipper. Dogs are allowed inside the pub when food is no longer being served. (Serving stops at 3 or 6 depending on the day.)
Parts of the building date from the 15th or 16th century and there’s plenty of historic oddities on display, including a medieval slipper found inside a wall to ward off evil spirits.
Address: 20 Goodramgate, YO1 7LG
Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 11:00-Late.
The Bay Horse
The Bay Horse has undergone extensive renovations and has now established itself as a fantastic gastropub and B&B, set a cut above chain-run pubs. The food is home-cooked using fresh, local ingredients and perfectly compliments an ale beside the beautiful Tudor fireplaces.
This is a great dog friendly pub in York to settle down in after walking on nearby Hob Moor. Dogs are welcome in the garden and front bar, with water bowls, treats, and doggy dinners available.
Address: 55 Blossom Street, YO24 1AZ
Opening Times: Various.
The Minster Inn
This traditional ale house is beautifully kept inside and out, providing a blend of country pub comfort and Edwardian charm in the heart of the city. Sitting in the shadow of York Minster and beside the River Ouse, the Minster Inn is perfect to stop with the pooch after a trudge along the river bank.
There’s not only great beer, but fresh stonebaked pizzas too. Your pooch won’t be missing out either, as they can get a fresh bowl of water and some treats from the bar.
Address: Marygate, YO30 7BH
Opening Times: Tues-Sun: Various times.
The Winning Post
A stone’s throw from the racecourse you’ll find the Winning Post, a friendly and welcoming pub with great food and a wide range of drinks. If you and the pooch need a walk after your tipple, you can head out to nearby Rowntree Park or stroll along the river.
This pub is positively dog friendly, with lots of room inside to relax or two great gardens to sit in and soak up some sun.
Address: 127-129 Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 1NZ
Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 12:00-22:00
Harkers
The gorgeous Georgian facade of Harkers dominates St Helen’s Square. The pub was built on the site of the old Roman gate, which was the entrance to the city of York back in 300AD.
Nowadays, the pub welcomes people and pooches of all ages to stop for a pie and a pint. (Other kinds of iconic pub grub are available!)
Address: 1 St. Helens Square, YO1 8QN
Opening Times: Weekdays: 11:30-22:00 / Weekends: 10:00-22:00
The Gillygate
The Gillygate isn’t just a fantastic dog-friendly pub in York, it has family and pet-friendly accommodation too. This family-run pub prides itself on being dog-friendly, and offers everything you could want from a menu of delicious dishes to a sun-soaked “yarden”.
It’s nestled beside the historic city walls and only a short walk away from the landmarks and shops, making it the perfect base for a city break.
Address: 48 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ
Opening Times: Various
The Hop
The front bar of The Hop is dog-friendly and it is one of the most beautiful places to paw-se for a drink. As well as the handsome facade and varied interior decor, this place prides itself on it’s live music and their range of ales and fresh pizza.
It also happens to be right in the heart of York, just yards away from the historic Merchant Adventurers' Hall.
Address: 11-12 Fossgate, YO1 9TA
Opening Times: Mon-Thur 16:00-22:00 / Fri-Sat 12:00-22:00 / Sun 12:00-21:00
The Ackhorne
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city but still soak up some history, head down a cobbled lane to The Ackhorne. (Pronounced “acorn’.) This cracking boozer is one of the most dog friendly pubs in York, not least because they have their own resident bulldog Buddy who they welcomed this year.
Furry friends are always welcomed with water, treats, and plenty of fuss while their humans settle down for a pint.
Address: 9 St Martin's Lane, YO1 6LN
Opening Times: Weekdays: 12:00-21:00 / Weekends: 11:00-21:00
The Three-Legged Mare
The Three-Legged Mare, also nicknamed “the wonky donkey” reopened last year after a major refurbishment. The name comes from a traditional gallows (cheery…) and there’s a small replica of the “three-legged mare” in the garden.
This pub has a very quaint, traditional feel making it an understated spot for a drink. Pups are always welcome, with water available for furry patrons. This pub is strictly no jukebox, no fruit machines, and no under-18s to maintain the old-school pub vibe.
Address: 15 High Petergate, YO1 7EN
Opening Times: Various
Brew York
Boasting the largest selection of beers and ciders in the city, Brew York is a busy brewery, tap room, and drinking hall nestled in the heart of York. It also happens to be fully family and dog-friendly.
This bar boasts tasty street food and some of the best views to pair with a drink too, as it’s in a great spot overlooking the river. Although if you’re inside, you can admire the new beers brewing away just feet from your table instead.
Opening Times: Various: Differs each day and between the Tap Room and Beer Hall
The Rose and Crown
Admittedly a few miles outside of the city, the Rose and Crown is easy to drive to after a day out in York. It’s worth the trip too as it was voted the 5th best dog-friendly pub in Yorkshire.
This quaint village pub is the perfect place to take a pit-stop, especially after a day in York or out enjoying village walks in and around Sutton-on-the-Forest.
Opening Times: Tues-Sun: 17:00 - Late (Various times).
More pubs: Nottingham, Liverpool, Lake District