What was York’s most famous black-and-white pub has been reborn in glorious technicolour.
The Maltings was a monument in monochrome, decorated in black and cream before turning all-black when it extended.
Now though the Tanners Moat pub has had a thoroughly emerald makeover – as befits its new role as Irish-themed pub The Dubliner.
The entire exterior has gone green, including the beer garden, and the new sign is in place as the opening edges nearer.
One of the windows has been replaced with glass incorporating the Dubliner’s four-leafed clover logo, although The Maltings’ branding can still be seen on another.
Festive decorations are going up at the same time, with garlands, large Christmas trees and curtain lights now in place.
Changes are happening inside too. The Dubliner plans to host live music seven days a week, and a stage is being created in one corner.
The Maltings, run by Shaun and Maxine Collinge for 32 years, famously had a sign up asking patrons to ‘Please refrain from swearing’.
A picture of that sign smashed by a sledgehammer has now been posted on The Dubliner York’s Instagram channel, with the message: “Tearing up the rule book. Live music and good craic 7 days a week, including a certain song about a horse.”
That’s a reference to a notoriously sweary song Horse Outside by Irish comedy hip-hop duo The Rubberbandits.
As you’d expect, the interior decor will reflect the Irish theme, as this Instagram post suggests:
No opening date has been revealed for The Dubliner. When we spoke to owner Daniel Van Hymus earlier this month he told us: “We’re working round the clock to get The Dubliner open as quickly as possible for the people of York, and those travelling here over Christmas.”
This is his second Dubliner pub. The original is found in a former nightclub on Newcastle’s Quayside.
Dan told us: “There was the option to continue trading as The Maltings, but we didn’t want to offer a watered down version of what Shaun and Maxine had created over 32 years – we’re here to do our very best to add value and bring something different to York’s pub scene, in our own way.”
And it looks like we won’t have too long to wait to see what for ourselves.