The King’s Inn is now open on Shambles – and it’s proving a popular place already for the people of York.
We reported last month that the quirky British-themed pub was getting ready to open on York’s most iconic street – and now it has officially opened its doors!
The King’s Inn is owned by Steph Blair and her partner. YorkMix chatted with Steph to find out more and what the initial reaction has been like.
Steph is the owner of the popular Luxury Ice Cream Company (LICC) on Back Swinegate, and used to run what was Thomas’s Bar on Museum Street. Last year she opened bakehouse and gelato shop Fabulously Rich on the Shambles – that business has now been sold to a new owner.
For more than 40 years, since 1978, 15 Shambles was home to the Italian restaurant Ristorante Bari – the building had been vacant since 2020.
This is The King’s Inn’s ‘official’ first week of opening, after a soft launch last week, and Steph and her team have been “mind blown at the reaction.”
“We were all quite nervous the first day opening,” Steph told YorkMix. “We had targets of what we wanted to hit that day – and we just far exceeded them.
“In the first five or six days of opening, we sold out of so many beers and barrels.
“We’ve very positively overwhelmed at the reaction, it’s been fantastic. We couldn’t be happier.”
So far, both tourists and locals alike have been loving the King’s Inn.
“We anticipated it being maybe 85% tourists,” said Steph. “But it’s been such a good mix. So many Yorkies have come to visit us. We’re a week in and we already have regulars!”
The large food menu features breakfast (served 10am – 12pm every day), small plates and tapas sharing style food, and a varied vegetarian and vegan offering.
The theme of the food available is ‘British picky bits’. Popular dishes so far include the Yorkshire Pudding Trio (£13), which are mini Yorkshire puddings stuffed with fillings like British beef & wine and ‘Toad’ in a hole.
Other popular offerings are a flight of mini pork pies (£16.50) – which have been made bespoke for the King’s Inn by local supplier Dan’s Pies in Pocklington – and a ‘baby’ Sunday roast (£12).
The pub is working with other local companies too like York Gin, Fred’s Bakery and the Shambles Pie Company.
The similarly huge cocktail menu features a wide selection of classic cocktails, iced cocktails, sweet-inspired cocktails, mocktails, and British-inspired cocktails – all served in unique glassware.
The ‘quintessential British’ cocktails include a Phone A Friend (£11.50), with strawberry vodka, tequila and liqueur, milk and cream shaken and topped with whipped cream – and served in a British phone box!
Or why not try the Paddington-inspired Paddington’s Marmalade Tipple (£10.50), with marmalade vodka, orange liqueur and apple juice, and served with a marmalade sandwich slice.
“It’s gone down a hit,” said Steph. “People are taking pictures of them and seeing them go out and then wanting that – without even knowing what’s in it!”
As well as cocktails there’s also wine, draught beer, spirits, and local craft beers and ales available too.
The King’s Inn are looking to bring in a monthly events night in the future – such as an old-school pen and paper quiz night and live music.
The pub also has big festive plans, and plans on opening on Christmas day.
“We’re finalising our Christmas menu to take bookings but we definitely want to be able to give the tourists in York or people who want to spend Christmas outside of the home an opportunity to come in and spend Christmas with us.”
Inside, the pub is cosy and welcoming with many British-themed memorabilia lining the walls – and portraits of King Charles himself!
It’s a large space, with around 50 tables and room for about 150 people. Children are allowed in until 8pm.
The pub has created 20 jobs. “Our staff that we’ve hired have been incredible.”
The current opening times are from 10am every day. The licence allows the pub to stay open until 1am, and so far has been closing “anywhere between 11pm and 12am. We’re seeing how it goes.”
The pub may also look to open from 9am in the future to accommodate a wider breakfast time.
“We’re super thrilled,” said Steph. “We couldn’t be more excited about how the first week has gone.”
To find out more about The King’s Inn, visit their Instagram page here.
Take a look at Shambles’ newest pub in our gallery!
Gallery
