The Graduate, York

The Graduate York

On the way back from my Newcastle/Sunderland jaunt I decided to stop over in York. No particular reason, just fancied seeing what was happening in York! My mum and I used to always go to York around Christmas time to do present shopping and Party Dress Shopping, a tradition which we still carry out now. York also brings back great memories of our annual primary school trip to the York Transport Museum and Yorvik day out. For anyone who hasn’t been to Yorkvik, its brilliant – overpriced yes but very educational – if the Vikings float your boat.

After a day of burning through my wages, I needed a place to relax. I have a reputation for being notoriously picky when it comes to finding a decent bar, though I don’t see it like that. I like somewhere clean, with a good atmosphere, good music, reasonable prices and a high potential of good eye candy!
After walking past the same old, Wetherspoons, Yates, Revolution, blah blah blah, I was getting bored and about to give up and just go back to my hotel when I fell across a really cool old bank style building called The Graduate. The music coming from inside sounded good and the decoration looked good from looking inside through a window. Funny side story actually, the window I looked through looked onto a booth style table and my friend from college’s sister was sat at the table, I waved, she didn’t recognise me and I felt really really stupid!

Back to the Graduate. I was walking around trying to find a seat but it just kept going. I would turn a corner and there would be another room, another book, another snug type room, another cluster of sofas and finally I discovered an outside beer garden. The whole bar was immaculately kept and brightly decorated. The pictures say it all really.

There were references to The Graduate the film all the way through the bar, a film poster here, a film shot here. Really cool, it had me singing “Mrs Robinson” before I knew it.

Really nice to have table service all night, I didn’t have to get up once!

It just so happened that the bar was the first on the Carnage Pub Crawl. For those who don’t know Carnage, it is a University based pub crawl that takes place all over the country. People buy the T-shirt with the pub route and have to tick off certain challenges whilst dressed in the theme of the night which in this example was Cops and Robbers. Once again, some great photos.

Scores on the (royal) doors: 

Food and service:  Very attentive table service.
Atmosphere and decoration:  Very impressive, funky and very unique.
Facilities:  Spotless, so well kept, the staff deserve a big thumbs up.
Talent Radar:  A few robbers stole my heart! HA!
Fun Factor: Has the potential to be a massive party hot spot!
Perfect for: Food, beer garden, group bookings, small groups, pizza party
In 3 words: GO THERE NOW!

Pembroke Castle

I went to the Pembroke Castle – Primrose Hill the other day for a spot of lunch with some friends.  The bar itself is just up from Chalk Farm tube station so it was super easy to find (and considering I’d get lost in a paper bag means it must be REALLY easy to find!!)

The inside of the bar is really welcoming and had a cute eclectic feel about it. On the walls were lots of little framed postcards of local shops, road signs and funky little bits of graffiti. They had good taste in music as well, bit of old indie songs like The Libertines, Blur mixed with
more recent stuff like Ed Sheeran. Massive thumbs from me on that front. On all the tables were pots of basil, and even though that might sound weird, it looked really cool and I’ve since taken the idea and stuck a wrapped pot of basil on my kitchen table.

Seeing as it was sunny – Yes I said sunny, can you believe it a whole afternoon without rain or hurricanes!!! –   We sat outside in the beer garden which was really cute with fairy lights and cushion, very boo hoo, bang on. If only it was July again, a jug of Pimm’s or a Gin and tonic would have been just the ticket.

Actually choosing something for lunch was a bit of a mission. Both of us were in the mood for pizza but couldn’t pick one, goats
cheese and red onion, peri peri chicken or pepperoni. Dilemma.  In the end we shared a peri peri chicken pizza and the goat’s cheese and red onion pizza. Both were so so yummy, I didn’t really want to share the red onion one, it was far too good. Much too good to share with friends. Tee hee!

The bar seemed really well stocked, there looked to be something for everyone, beer, ale, cocktails for the eve, spirits. If only my flat was this well stocked, I’d never have to leave.

I noticed there was an upstairs meeting room which would be good to rent out for parties. They actually hold comedy nights up there every now and again, would be fun to go to one in the future I think. The staff were really friendly and seemed to enjoy their job. I hate grumpy barmaids.

Heading up to Stirling this week for a beach party, Beach parties shouldn’t exist in Scotland, I’m going to freeze my butt off. Is it ok
to wear scarves and Ugg boots with a sundress? Ill rock it anyway!!

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  Scrummy, I’d return just for the pizza. The staff were lovely.

Atmosphere and decoration:  Really chilled loved the fresh flowers around the bar.

Facilities:  Loved the retro bottle green tiles

Talent Radar:  Slim pickings. 😦

Fun Factor: Wasn’t a heart pumping night out but Pembroke was very relaxing,
just what I needed

Perfect for: General hang out, lunch date, pre-bar drinks

In 3 words: Good Indie Pub.

Don’t just take my word for it though! Check out other reviews at:
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/31/3144/Pembroke_Castle/Primrose_Hill