The Judge's Lodging

You're drinking in what used to be actual judges' chambers, and the gravitas hasn't left the building. This Georgian beauty on Lendal maintains all its original grandeur – think ornate cornicing, oil paintings, and enough mahogany to panel a small cathedral – but the atmosphere is refreshingly unpretentious. The bar feels more like a well-appointed gentleman's club than your average York boozer, which makes it perfect when you want something a bit more sophisticated than the usual Museum Gardens circuit. They pour a decent pint and the wine list doesn't take the piss, plus you can grab proper food if you're settling in for the afternoon. The early opening hours make it a brilliant spot for a civilised morning coffee before tackling the tourist hordes.