A York pub is set to reopen under new management.
Museum Street Tavern on Museum Street shut its doors back in September after the owners announced via social media they were closing due to the ‘circumstances we find ourselves in.’
Now, Doug Smith and Oli Calveley of the company Liquid Art Group have taken on the lease and it will open its doors again from next week – with a soft launch on Tuesday (10 December) and a grand opening on Saturday 14 December.
Liquid Art Group run eight venues across England, including The Gillygate and the Saddle Inn in Fulford.
YorkMix spoke with new owner Doug Smith to find out more.
After the keys had been returned to the prior owners Stonegate Pubs, Doug met up with the business development manager for the company. “The ideas that I was proposing were in line with her vision for the place,” Doug told YorkMix.
The pub will keep the same name and won’t be undergoing any changes inside before it opens. Its previous incarnation was Thomas’s Bar, from 1861 up until March 2022.
“It’s just about getting the doors open. The outgoing tenants left it absolutely immaculate – best I’ve ever seen.”
Doug is keen to bring back the “traditional tavern vibes”‘” to the venue.
“We’re proposing to really maximise the tavern aspect of it,” said Doug. “The best bit about York is the city centre York boozers. I use that term with some thought – proper boozers that are wet led with a bit of food offering.
“York’s got a lot of character, and so do its pubs, and we’re going to be maximising on that and keeping it individual.”
The food offering at Museum Street Tavern will be British small plates, with traditional pub food like sausage and mash and Yorkshire puddings – but in miniature size.
“We’re going to be bringing some of the kitchen team over from the Saddle Inn at Fulford to set everything up.”
The venue is licensed until 3am every day. There are already plans for a live music offering. “There’s some great little places for small jamming sessions in here.
“Museum Street Tavern lends itself really well to that sort of vibe, so it’s going to be somewhere where we encourage people to come and bring their instruments and have a jam.”
Inside there will also be a pool table, darts board, and card games. Drinks on offer will include cask ales from local breweries on a rotation, as well as the favourites you’d expect like Heineken. Cocktails will also be available, as well as a forthcoming bottomless brunch option.
There will also be discounts for students, NHS and hospitality workers.
“Oli and I are from York originally so it’s really nice to add to the city,” said Doug. “I think the offering that we’re going to do is going to be beneficial for the city.
“Traditional York boozers are potentially a bit of an endangered species and if we can do our little bit to stop that, we’re really excited about it.
“We hope it can be a real melting pot, that’s really what we want. A nice, safe, eclectic environment.”
The Museum Street Tavern is also currently looking for experienced bar and kitchen staff, as well as an experienced bar manager who is looking to take on a new challenge.