An historic York pub has reopened in York today (Friday).
The Old Grey Mare, located on Clifton Green, officially reopened their doors at midday. Now owned by city brewery Brew York, this is the company’s first traditional pub in the city.
YorkMix reported at the end of December 2024 that Brew York were taking over the historic coaching inn – after it closed suddenly and subsequently went up for sale in the summer of 2024.
Now that it’s back open, Brew York are looking forward to bringing a traditional pub back to the Clifton community.
“It’s something we’re really excited about, bringing a hub back to the community of Clifton,” Brew York managing director, Wayne Smith, told YorkMix.
“It’s really exciting times on our first real pub in York.”
And the community have really turned out for the pub already, with customers queuing up for the opening at 12pm today and the soft launch yesterday being “really, really busy.”
“It blew our mind how busy it was,” said Wayne. “I didn’t think it’d be very busy today and when we got here at 12pm to cut the ribbon it was absolutely slammed again.
“It was brilliant.”
They’ve also received a lot of love on social media for the takeover too, with “hundreds and hundreds” of comments, likes and follows.
“We don’t think we’ve ever had such a positive reaction to any news we’ve released recently – it’s been really great.”
The process from officially getting the keys to opening has only taken about six weeks. Wayne said that there was “a lot of really good work already done” from the previous owners.
“We were just trying to convert that into a Brew York style, and this is what we call one of our ‘Inns with Character’ – we want to make it look and feel like a traditional pub but with a Brew York twist.”
One of the twists is that Asian street food company Yuzu will be serving up food for the pub, and blending the pub feel into their modern street food.
Patrons to the pub can expect all the Brew York keg, cask, and craft keg classics like Juice Forsyth IPA, Osprey Lager, Maris the Otter Bitter, and Tonkoko Milk Stout.
There will also be wine, spirits and cocktails available.
The pub also has future plans to bring in a traditional quiz and occasional acoustic music nights.
“But we’re going to make sure that we listen to our neighbours and make sure we finish early – we don’t become a nuisance.”
The Old Grey Mare is a family-friendly and dog-friendly pub. One of the changes is that it will show occasional free-to-air sport like rugby or the FA Cup, but only in one half of the pub so that “the other half will still feel like a traditional pub with no interruptions.”
The pub will be open from 12pm to 11pm, seven days a week.
“People have been really excited about something that’s right on their doorstep where they can come and sit, enjoy themselves, have a pint and some food and spend some time with the community.”
Wayne wants to extend a huge thank you to the team from Brew York as well as the wider team “who’ve been here to make it happen really quickly.
“We’re so pleased with how it’s gone so far – so let’s hope the public like it.”
To keep up to date with the Old Grey Mare, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages. To find out more about Brew York, head to their website.
Take a look inside the revamped Old Grey Mare in our gallery below.
Gallery
