York’s first fantasy-themed bar will offer ‘fun for gamers and geeks’

Where do you go for a tankard of ale after a tough round of Dungeons & Dragons?

The answer may soon be The Quest Inn – York’s first ‘fantasy-themed gastro-bar’.

Blueprints have been drawn up to transform the Fiesta Latina restaurant into a medieval-style ale and cocktail bar, complete with costumed staff.

Hosting tabletop gaming nights and serving pop culture cocktails, the Quest Inn could open in March 2019.

Local ales, rustic food

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/wrZMUm2dqSs” title=”The Quest Inn crowdfunding video” /]

The inn has been the dream of bartender and shop manager Elliot Howden-Roberts for three years, as it combines his two biggest passions in life – Dungeons & Dragons and cocktails.

He has launched a crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo, which has raised £1,000 of its £50K target in the first few days.

Elliot, who is also a guide on the York Terror Trail, says: “The Quest Inn is about providing a fun and safe space for gamers, geeks and medieval enthusiasts to socialise and enjoy great cocktails and food at reasonable prices, as well as adding a dynamic must-visit dining experience to York’s thriving tourism scene.”

Under his vision for the new business, the downstairs will house the bar, and the upstairs the dining and gaming area. It will:

• have medieval tavern décor and fantasy costumed staff
• feature geek and pop culture named cocktails
• serve a range of locally produced ales
• include a menu of ‘rustic food befitting of a medieval banquet’
• host table-top gaming evenings.

First of many?

Elliot believes the Fiesta Latina on Clifford Street will be the perfect venue for his new venture, being close to both Jorvik Viking Centre and Clifford’s Tower.

He plans to buy it and run it as a restaurant for a year then use the profits to convert it into the Quest Inn.

And it will be all about inclusivity, Elliot says.

“We hope to be able to cater to everyone and we don’t want to have to turn anyone away.

“Which is why we plan to make our chosen venue wheelchair accessible at the earliest opportunity.”

And his plans aren’t restricted to York. Elliot has set up a company, Bars and Blades Limited, which he hopes will eventually open a string of themed bars.

These would include a sci-fi bar in Leeds, a Dracula/horror bar in Whitby and an apocalypse bar in Sheffield.

But, like all great fantasy adventures, it begins with a Quest.

Elliot says: “If you want to join the party and bring The Quest Inn into existence then as your Dungeon Master I will reward you handsomely with loot…”