It’s interesting how us Brits turn a blind eye to ‘one of our own’ religious nutjobs with a penchant for mass scale terrorism isn’t it …. fancy a pint in the Bin Laden Arms? No? Of course you don’t. Because a) such a pub doesn’t exist in York and, b) if it did, it wouldn’t serve alcohol.
In little over four centuries, Guido Fawkes’s PR people have done a great job, he’s gone from a Satanic demon and Catholic terrorist to swashbuckling, courageous renegade. This 21st century image of him means you can now sit and enjoy a pint in his supposed old home (he was born in York don’t you know) and watch the world go by without a care in the world, or a balaclava on.
And it’s a mighty fine place to watch the world go by. Situated just next to the Minster and in the heart of York, the Guy Fawkes Hotel definitely deserves a visit, not least to sample the excellent selection of real ale on offer.
There were six taps available on thepubsofyork.com’s most recent visit, as well as the mass produced stuff and the much loved (by thepubsofyork.com anyway) Addlestones cider.
Once you have bought your tipple you can sit in the small lounge next to the bar area, the external courtyard (next to Guy Fawkes’ cottage) or the two rooms adjoining the bar. The indoor areas are lit by gas lamps and a sprinkling of candles on the tables mean that if you squint, you can just about imagine you were in a 17th century tavern.
The handsome wooden furniture adds to the ambience and manages to just about not seem ‘contrived’, while the mahogany panelling and dark, painted walls give this place a definite historic feel.
Apparently the Guy Fawkes Hotel also does a mean bit of pub grub and offers equally respectable lodgings (on a bed and breakfast basis) should you require somewhere to rest your weary heads.
The Guy Fawkes’ has been in the local news a bit recently; firstly the old owners went into administration which caused a bit of a hoohaa and more recently it was closed down on a busy Friday night by pernickety licensing officials for a minor transgression of the licensing act. It reopened almost immediately and thepubsofyork.com hopes nothing else affects it’s ability to trade, as it really is a damn good boozer.
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