Ye Olde Starre Inne
What's it good for?
Families out for a pub lunch, the odd local, mid-shop pit stop.
Where is it?
Hidden down a snickelway off Stonegate in the shadow of York Minster, Ye Olde Starre Inne is most famous for its sign which spans the street outside. Stonegate (the street given this name from the vast quantity of stone brought through it from the river while building the cathedral) is said to have the most expensive rent per square foot than any other street in the country, bar London's Oxford Street.
It's easy to see why with the footfall down the street, mainly thronging masses of tourists ambling along it transfixed on a sheathed umbrella held aloft by a guide stumbling backwards along the cobbles, all of them photographing the sign without entering the pub it advertises. (They should, it's pretty good.)
What's it all about?
Once you've squeezed down the alley you pop out into the first of two lovely beer gardens, if this one is full try the one out the back as there are plenty of tables in both. You enter the pub into what feels like the hallway of an old rambling house, there are corridors, archways, and a rabbit warren of wood-paneled rooms with cozy fireplaces and leather seating scattered in all directions with the bar in the largest room towards the back of the pub.
A muted television scrolls rolling news bulletins in the corner of the room providing no entertainment value to anyone, but thankfully the music was a fantastic mix of motown, classic rock, and blues which suited the atmosphere of the dimmed lighting and candle lit fireplace. All the staff I've met have been lovely, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The refurbishment last year by the new owners, the Taylor Walker group, has breathed a much needed new lease of life into what was a tired old pub.
What's on the bar?
The bar is well stocked with 6 hand pumps serving well kept beer. On my visit there was a traditional Thatcher's Cheddar Valley cider on one due to the Cider Festival, but I plumped for Navigator from Great Heck which was served in a traditional style dimpled glass pint jug. There was also a large selection of wines, spirits and bottles. On draught there was Peroni, Becks Vier, Guiness, Carling, Aspall Cider and Stella. This is a chain pub, where large menus and no beer mats on the tables seem to be order of the day, so spillage on tables rocking over 400 year old floorboards is inevitable. Take a large swig before you sit down.
Do they serve food?
On my last visit a group of us ate here and the food was spot-on traditional pub-grub. I struggled to finish the whale proportioned fish & chips and everyone enjoyed each of their dishes. I'll certainly keep this on a list of places to grab a meal with a pint in town when I'm with a group of people. There is an extensive menu of decent pub grub, large portions of fish& chips, pies, burgers, and sandwiches served 12:00 - 21:00. They also do a Sunday Lunch menu.
Is it accessible / allow kids / dogs?
No steps from the street, through the front beer garden, to the bar, neglected to check toilet access. Families were having meals while I was there and it's a dog friendly bar and beer garden.
Will you go again?
I'm sure I'll go if I'm looking for a decent pub meal in the middle of town or a couple of pints in one of the beer gardens. Overall I was impressed with Ye Olde Starre Inne. The new owners have made a real positive change to the place and put it back on the radar for a lot of locals and I'll be back to try out the Sunday Lunch as soon as I can.
Opening Hours
- Mon 11:00 - 23:00
- Tue 11:00 - 23:00
- Wed 11:00 - 23:00
- Thu 11:00 - 01:00
- Fri 11:00 - 00:00
- Sat 11:00 - 00:00
- Sun 11:00 - 23:00
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