Nestled down Grape Lane, this ‘Wine Bar and Bistro’ sits next to the back entrance (so to speak) of the Slug and Lettuce in a rather understated way.
It’s not as plasticy as it’s geographical bed fellow, nor is it seemingly as ‘trendy’ as 1331, which is located a little further up the road. It just sits there, with its black and white signage and polite hanging baskets looking, well, just nice really.
The interior is smart without being pretentious and the atmosphere is always lively without being rowdy. There are three attractive wrought iron tables outside to the front of the building (with matching chairs) and inside there are plenty of stylish tables which are, unsurprisingly given this establishments proper name, set up for diners.
With this in mind, like Kim Wilde, who is now best known for her exploits with a trowel and a pair of marigolds rather than belting out 80′s pop songs, Wildes Wine Bar and Bistro is probably best known for being an eatery rather than a watering hole. The quality of the food on offer here isn’t really for this website to comment on, so, what about the beer? Well, it’s OK.
On thepubsofyork.com’s last visit on a balmy late summer evening, there were three draught beers on offer; the ubiquitous John Smiths and Kronenbourg, but also Leffe, which is a fair substitute in the absence of any real ale. The fridge behind the long, thin bar in the middle of the long thin ground floor was stocked with a decent selection of bottled lagers such as the excellent Budvar, Corona and Sol. You know the types.
If you are thinking of coming to Wildes to solely have a drink, thepubsofyork.com suggest you don’t let the limited selection of beer put you off, as it really is a rather pleasant place to be.
Having drinks here reminds thepubsofyork.com of being sat in bars of northern European cities alongside our more alcoholically sensible continental counterparts, sipping deliciously strong beers, chatting and watching the world go by. And that, dear readers, is most definitely a good thing.
View The Pubs Of York Locations in a larger map