Golden Ball

What's it good for?

Community owned local. Great beer, nice beer garden, and fresh bread + eggs.

Where is it?

Nestled in the heart of Bishophill opposite the community garden The Golden Ball is a short walk from Victoria Bar on the city walls and both Ouse Bridge and Skeldergate Bridge and is in striking distance of the bustling Bishopthorpe Road.

What's it all about?

In one word, community.

Yes, the golden ball is owned by a co-operative of locals who now run their own pub and is rightly held up as an example of how this can be achieved, but The Golden Ball has also lived up to its promise. It provides a community space that has hosted birthdays and weddings, art exhibitions and clothes swaps, and live music and spoken word nights.

The Golden Ball is another member in York's burgeoning bar billiards league and has a free table in one of the three main rooms. There is a 'garden room' with fireplace and comfortable seating and the main bar room sparks a projector into stuttering life for international rugby matches. There is also a tiny snug room tucked in beside the bar but you'll struggle to grab a spot in there as it's almost always occupied.

There is a large beer garden out the back with a large covered and heated area next to the pub. The garden is also home to the outside toilets, a common feature in this neck of the woods.

What's on the bar?

I tend towards the regular Yorkshire Sparkle from Trebrom Brewery in the Golden Ball but they also have Timothy Taylors Golden Best and Everards Tiger on as regulars. There are also 4 spots for guest ales and they are all kept in spectacular condition.

Do they serve food?

There is no kitchen at the Golden Ball but I have become addicted to the chilli-honey peanuts. There are usually a few cheese-and-bread baked goods from bluebird bakery available and pork pies on the bar.

Is it accessible / allow kids / dogs?

As you would look for in a community pub the Golden Ball is all three.

Will you go again?

... and again, and again, and again.

Opening Hours

Mon - Wed 17:00-23:30 Thu 17:00-00:00 Friday 16:00-00:00 Saturday 12:00-00:00 Sunday 12:00-23:30