Make mine a double: two new pubs open in York

York’s reputation as one of the best real ale cities in Britain is about to be enhanced with the opening of not one but two new pubs. Ossett and Leeds Breweries will be showing off their latest incarnations over this coming weekend.

This is not a case of old licenced premises reopening, but a sympathetic refurbishment of buildings of character by respected local Yorkshire breweries with a real empathy for real ale and fine pubs.

In King’s Square we have the aptly named Duke Of York to enhance an area that already includes gems such as The Last Drop and Pivni.

After a search of more than three years, York residents and joint owners of Leeds Brewery Michael Brothwell and Sam Moss have found an idyllic spot at the back of King’s Square – although idyllic is hardly the word with the chaos surrounding the pub due to the council building works at the moment.

A short walk away in Fossgate, opposite one of York’s iconic pubs the Blue Bell, is Ossett Brewery’s fifth incarnation of its popular “Hop” pub concept.

This combines food and music with a good selection of real ale to provide a memorable night at the local. The York Hop has its very own wood fired pizza oven, promises regular live music and is sure to showcase the considerable range of excellent beers that Ossett produce.

If you want to know why these breweries chose York as their latest location Jamie Lawson, managing director of Ossett, puts it perfectly: “York is a great city and we’re proud to be opening up here.

“York residents are well known beer lovers and we think we will be introducing something a little different with our combination of great beer, food and live music.

“The refurbishment of the venue has a real wow factor with a distinctive and unique design. We’ve tried to continue our traditional real ale house feel with an intimate atmosphere for live music and a fusion of traditional and contemporary décor.”

• Watch out next week for an in depth article by Nick Love on both of these new pubs and their opening weekends
• Read all Nick’s pub and beer articles here