Unique York bar reveals its reopening date – with a new outside seating area

The Vikings always had a can-do attitude – and their modern day successors are made of the same stirring stuff.

Valhalla, the Viking-themed bar on Patrick Pool, has announced it will reopen in a few days’ time.

Its compact size always made it tricky for the team to start trading again in these social distancing times.

But with the help of City of York Council, Valhalla will open again on Thursday, 20 August – complete with an outdoor seating area.

Owners Matt Bedingham and Vincent Roberts say that has helped make the business viable again, and they can’t wait to welcome their loyal customers back.

Tremendous support

Matt told YorkMix: “We have got the use of a small space on Patrick Pool, with enough seating for ten people.

“It’s not massive or groundbreaking, but for a little bar like us it makes all the difference.

“City of York Council have been hugely helpful in sorting the licence application.”

He said they will be spacing out the seating inside – with the long table that seated ten removed for the time being.

It means the indoor capacity has been reduced by more than half, hence the need for the outdoor area.

“We have had a tremendous amount of support from well-wishers all the while we’ve been closed,” said Matt.

“It really has been humbling. Pretty much every day we’ve had messages via Facebook and Instagram, people sending us pictures from the bar in happier times, and saying ‘keep your chins up’.”