The Rook & Gaskill — Restaurant in Great Britain

Heading towards the city walls from the East towards the foreboding Walmgate Bar you could easily saunter past the Rook & Gaskill pub in search of a more traditional, vibrant, authentic (feel free to add your own adjectives here) public house but you'd be missing an exquisite opportunity to sample one of the most delightful, welcoming and truly unique hostelries in York - née, Yorkshire - actually, the whole of the North if I'm being objective here. Yes I've eaten in footholds of Langdale, supped in Haworth on the hill, partaken lunch in the Pipe and Glass and pushed through the madding crowd in Whitelocks in Leeds but that chorizo scotch egg and pint of IPA in the Rook knocked the previous holders off their pedestals - this is a pub that does it all. Its namesakes (Peter Rook and Leonard Gaskill - the last men to be hanged in York in 1676 for sheep rustling only a stone's throw away from the here) might not have been quite as eager to hustle if this had been their local. Attracting students (you can barely get a seat during term time) and locals alike, its uniqueness flows from the warm owner's welcome and his understanding that real ale isn't a fad but a unique way of life for crusty old gits like me and a whole other swath of society fed up with identikit beer selections - the big boys have no say in here - local ales from a mear 3 miles away, Belgium triples, ciders from the West Country, you name it - it's on the wall. If you've ever been to the House of Trembling Madness, think their selection of ales but with a more friendly front of house and better snacks (and a better chance of seat). I'm lost for words really - go there and drink then tell me you're not...

Best pub in York! I'm a student and come here all the time but it is by no means a student bar, it really suits everyone. The beer selection is huge, the stouts in particular are some of the best I have ever had. Atmosphere is perfect, there is always a great buzz and it's never too overwhelming. The interior is decorated so we'll, it's cool but never bordering on pretentious. The food is delicious and generously portioned, and fits the rest of the pub so we'll. The bar snacks are just as good and shows how much care goes into the place. Staff are so sound and friendly, always go out of there way to make you feel welcome and seem really happy to work there. Also the price is amazing for York, especially when you factor in how good the drinks are. I don't have a single bad thing to say about this place, couldn't wish for a...

If you havent got a smart phone or you don't want to download their app just to get a beer then dont bother turning up here. Was point blank refused service unless i downloaded the app and scanned a qr code on the table. I pointed out not everybody has a smartphone and that removing the food and drink menu from there website to strongarm there way onto peoples phones smelt of profiteering from the pandemic and can't he just suggest me a dark beer and i would happily have that. Still no dice just repeated download the app or no drink! Unbelievable! I wonder if really he just didnt want me in there taking up a table as was solo...