The Varsity

This is now called the Graduate. The refurb is classier, but the food menu isn’t as good as it once was, and the Costa Coffee they now sell is expensive. This used to be one of 2 places where I used to meet friends after work but now I go elsewhere– to City Screen, the Habit or Revolution usually– because things have changed and it’s not what it once was, or maybe I’ve changed too, either way, I’m not a fan of the Graduate any more, the staff are now mostly indifferent with slow service (with one notable exception but she might have left now) and in the last 12 months they’ve always been advertising for new staff (a sign that the management aren’t doing a good job) although I can think of worse places to end up on a night out.

Great little bar with a student vibe. Smart/​casual atmosphere and really reasonable drink prices. Good place to start a night out, or call in on a bar crawl! they also do a discount card which makes the drinks even cheeper! Food available in the form of snacks and light bites, also has a smoking area/​beer garden.

nice Atmosphere in this place. The drinks are cheap enough tho it IS a student hang out. if that is not your scene then beware. some really lovely comfy leather sofa’s to relax in and the food is good too. Because of this the place is heaving on Friday sat and sunday nights. There is an outside area you can sit out in during the summer. (you have to go downstairs) and heated lamps for when it gets a bit chilly.

This is a good pub/​bar with a mix of student and older customers. It has loads of seating on two levels, meaning it’s great for big groups. It has a good, relaxaed atmosphere but no real character.
The prices of drinks aren’t too bad for York, especially if you buy the Varsity card which gives you money off. The bar staff are friendly and you can get served pretty quickly. They always ID me though, which I suppose means that they’re doing their job, which is good.
They also serve food. I have no idea what this is like, having never eaten there though. I think the prices are reasonable enough.

I liked this place. I had a great atmosphere but wasn’t overcrowded on a saturday night but was still buzzing. The door staff were friendly and I got served quickly at the bar which makes a pleasent change. Loads of seating too if you want to go with a bunch of mates for a catch up. Certainly would visit again drinks were cheapish too.

I have been to Varsity many times over the years and I have always found it to be a great place to go for a drink either on a lunchtime or after work or on a night out it just always seems to be one of the places you visit because the atmosphere in there is great.
They have just released the new Varsity Card with the new theme Crazy, Sexy, Cool and some people I know laughed at it but its a good idea I think as it trys to promote the type of place it is which I think is essential and the card is a mere £2 it lasts a year and can get you 25% off selected drinks.
I have to say that some of my friends have not liked the food in Varsity but I have never had any complaints and it is always reasonably priced and with the newly launched V Card you can use some vouchers towards offers on some food and there is even some for drinks so this place is not so hard on your wallet.
If you dont start here on a night out then you have to make sure you come here at some point as it has always been one of the places I go to that makes my night out that more enjoyable but if you go on a lunch or a quick drink after work it still leaves a lasting impression on you and thats why I keep going back.
It also has plenty of space to go both upstairs and downstairs and when the weather is nice you can even sit in the Beer Garden which is located downstairs at the back of The Varsity.

good drinks really cheap when you buy the varsity card.

This is another student pub, a bit like a wetherspoons. It’s quite cheap and the staff are friendly. It’s a good place to stop off at for a drink on a night out. It’s in a good location in the city centre. I’d take friends here for a drink.