Where to Go This Bank Holiday in York
There are 19 beer gardens and outdoor spots in York worth a bank holiday visit. Turtle Bay York brings Caribbean warmth to the city centre, while The Postern Gate offers a quieter riverside escape near the walls. Yates York keeps things straightforward with reliable pints and people-watching from the street. Most have decent shelter if the weather turns.
££1Turtle Bay York
📍 11 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX, UK
£2The Postern Gate
📍 90 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NX, UK
££3Yates York
📍 Church Ln, Low Ousegate, York YO1 9QT, UK
£The Punch Bowl
📍 5-9 Blossom St, York YO24 1AU, UK
££Ye Olde Starre Inne
📍 40 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS, UK
££Valhalla York
📍 4 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB, UK
££Golden Fleece York
📍 16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP, UK
££Revolution York
📍 Coney St, York YO1 9NA, UK
££Bill's York Restaurant
📍 12 Coney St, York YO1 9NA, UK
££Lucia
📍 East, 13 Swinegate, York YO1 8AJ, UK
££Rustique Restaurant
📍 28 Castlegate, York YO1 9RP, UK
££The Old White Swan
📍 80 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF, UK
££Fat Hippo York
📍 52 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ, UK
££Ate O'Clock
📍 13a High Ousegate, York YO1 8RZ, UK
££Evil Eye
📍 42 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS, UK
£££The Star Inn The City
📍 Lendal Engine House, Museum St, York YO1 7DR, UK
££La Vecchia Scuola
📍 62 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ, UK
££Zizzi - York
📍 2 Lendal, York YO1 8AA, UK
££Slug & Lettuce - Swinegate York
📍 22, 26 Back Swinegate, York YO1 8AD, UK
£The Masons Arms
📍 6 Fishergate, York YO10 4AB, UK
Bank holiday plans in another city?
Frequently asked
Are these spots actually open on the bank holiday?
Most pubs and bars in York run normal hours over the bank holiday, but a handful trim Monday opening — worth a quick check on the venue page or the website before you head out, especially for Sunday-into-Monday plans.
What if it rains?
Every venue here has either a beer garden or proper outdoor seating, but most also have a solid indoor section to retreat to. The terraces and courtyards generally do better in light drizzle than open beer gardens.
Can I book ahead for a bank holiday weekend?
Absolutely worth it for the larger spots — beer gardens fill up by mid-afternoon on a sunny bank holiday. Most venues take bookings via their website (linked on each venue page).