A city centre pub located just 200 yards from York Minster is closing.
Described as ‘a hidden gem’, Museum Street Tavern will sadly be shutting its doors for the final time this weekend.
The pub was taken over just over a year ago, after its previous incarnation as Thomas’s Bar.
The owners, Richard Martin and Zoe, took to social media to share the news today.
Their Instagram and Facebook posts read: “Very sad to have to write that we are closing.
“Unfortunately the circumstances we find ourselves in mean, despite what we would want, we just can’t continue.
“We will be open on Saturday & Sunday this week for drinks & we would love to see as many of you as possible!
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year & a bit, it means the world.
“Zoë & Richard (& Sylvie & Téadora)”
The news of the closure has been met with many disappointed comments from customers, who also offering their best wishes to the pair.
One wrote: “Really sad to hear that, you’d rapidly become my favourite pub in York! Best of luck with everything in the future!”
Another Instagram user wrote, “So, so sorry to hear this, what a wonderful place you created. Wishing you all the luck for what comes next. We’ll be in this weekend.”
Museum Street Tavern was opened in August 2023, after an extensive refurbishment.
The Grade-II-listed 18th Century building housed Thomas’s Bar from 1861 up until March 2022.
It was originally opened in 1861 by hotelier William Thomas. In 1876 it was sold to brewer Thomas Lightfoot, before it became a John Smith’s pub in 1990.
In 2010, the building was converted into a Mexican restaurant called Mojitos, but it returned to a pub with its old Thomas’s name just over a year later.
Along with natural wine and beer, Museum Street Tavern initially served a full menu using seasonal local produce.
Richard and Zoe decided to curtail the food side of the pub in May this year, with the offering reduced to seasonal small plates, charcuterie, and cheese.
They shared the update to Instagram, inviting potential pop-up and residency collaborations to get in touch.
The pub faced further obstacles in July this year, when work was carried out on the downpipes of the pub, which leaked and caused a significant damp issue.
The repair work meant the whole front of the building was hidden with scaffolding for a number of weeks.
If you’d like to bid farewell to Museum Street Tavern, it will be open for the last time this weekend.