Revolution York

You know Revolution's reputation precedes it – chain bar, student nights, that sort of thing. But the York branch on Coney Street has quietly become one of the more reliable spots for a proper drink in the city centre. The vodka selection is genuinely impressive, and their cocktail menu goes well beyond the usual suspects you'd expect from a high street name. The space works better than it should, managing to feel buzzy without being overwhelming. Yes, it gets busy at weekends with the usual Coney Street crowd, but catch it mid-week and you'll find bartenders who actually care about what they're pouring. The late opening hours make it a solid option when everywhere else in York has called it a night – which, let's be honest, happens frustratingly early round here.