Dicegames take the decision making out of nights out, instead of choosing where to go, you have a roll and let the dice decide.
To find out more click on the links above, or read below for the latest happenings in the York Pub Champions League.
To find out more click on the links above, or read below for the latest happenings in the York Pub Champions League.
Current Dice Game: Champions League 2016/17/18
Click on the link above for the Champions League rules and qualifying info.
Fox 3-1 Gillygate The Fox was the first pub to reach the semi-finals, but it wasn't quite as clear-cut as might have been expected. Gillygate got its point for staff, but despite not being a lot to choose between them and Gilly's whisky snug being better than the previous visit to it, the Fox edged it on atmosphere and also had an excellent beer range that we didn't even fully tap into, as well as excellent quality. A clean sweep on the weighted vote secured the victory.
Exhibition 0-4 Maltings A quiet, but unspectacular, night in the Maltings would normally be the chance another pub needs to knock it out of a dicegame, but Exhibition put up an awful display to rack up a deserved nil in the second quarter-final tie. The Black Sheep was progressively worse, the Landlord was off while being served, nobody dared try a Doom Bar and don't even think about asking if the Ainsty bottles on display were actually for sale. That left a rather nice Guzzler as the best beer on offer, but even that was probably on the turn a bit. The worst Exxy beer experience ever, plus loitering staff to supervise our conversations after the bad beer incident made the whole experience more uncomfortable than it should have been. Maltings was quiet, but functional, with excellent ales and on this occasion that was all that was needed to secure a crushing victory and a dream semi against the Fox.
Phoenix 3-3 (1-4 pens) Golden Fleece Fleece didn't have the most impressive performance in round two, only scraping through thanks to Terrier having more wrong with it. This time it put on a more impressive display, with little things like a sign on the door saying the top bar was closed and actually letting people sit in the top bar anyway instead of being shunted off down a corridor or into a room with nowhere to sit. Phoenix wasn't at its best, and despite good beer and good atmosphere, the Fleece could match it (albeit with a very different kind of good atmosphere). The weighted vote was tied, leaving it up to a roll of the dice to send Fleece through.
Sea Horse Hotel 5-1 Pavement Vaults Sometimes a pub gets thrashed because it's terrible, but sometimes the opposition is simply too good. That was the unfortunate outcome for Pavement Vaults, which on a cold snowy night had a good beer, a decent atmosphere and reasonable staff. It's main problem was that it was facing a Sam Smith's pub, which always has a good chance of a value for money point in the first place. Couple that with the roaring (almost too hot) fires in every room, good staff and Old Brewery Bitter that was superior to the wider selection in PV and Sea Horse scored the maximum five points to move into the semis.
Exhibition 0-4 Maltings A quiet, but unspectacular, night in the Maltings would normally be the chance another pub needs to knock it out of a dicegame, but Exhibition put up an awful display to rack up a deserved nil in the second quarter-final tie. The Black Sheep was progressively worse, the Landlord was off while being served, nobody dared try a Doom Bar and don't even think about asking if the Ainsty bottles on display were actually for sale. That left a rather nice Guzzler as the best beer on offer, but even that was probably on the turn a bit. The worst Exxy beer experience ever, plus loitering staff to supervise our conversations after the bad beer incident made the whole experience more uncomfortable than it should have been. Maltings was quiet, but functional, with excellent ales and on this occasion that was all that was needed to secure a crushing victory and a dream semi against the Fox.
Phoenix 3-3 (1-4 pens) Golden Fleece Fleece didn't have the most impressive performance in round two, only scraping through thanks to Terrier having more wrong with it. This time it put on a more impressive display, with little things like a sign on the door saying the top bar was closed and actually letting people sit in the top bar anyway instead of being shunted off down a corridor or into a room with nowhere to sit. Phoenix wasn't at its best, and despite good beer and good atmosphere, the Fleece could match it (albeit with a very different kind of good atmosphere). The weighted vote was tied, leaving it up to a roll of the dice to send Fleece through.
Sea Horse Hotel 5-1 Pavement Vaults Sometimes a pub gets thrashed because it's terrible, but sometimes the opposition is simply too good. That was the unfortunate outcome for Pavement Vaults, which on a cold snowy night had a good beer, a decent atmosphere and reasonable staff. It's main problem was that it was facing a Sam Smith's pub, which always has a good chance of a value for money point in the first place. Couple that with the roaring (almost too hot) fires in every room, good staff and Old Brewery Bitter that was superior to the wider selection in PV and Sea Horse scored the maximum five points to move into the semis.
still to come...
The semi-finals, starting with a battle of the two favourites, Fox and Maltings. second round scores... 3-5 Victoria Vaults (B2) v Fox (A1) 2-3 Waggon & Horses (3rd1) v Maltings (B1) 3-4 Micklegate 127 (A2) v Phoenix (C1) 0-3 Eagle & Child (3rd2) v Pavement Vaults (D1) 5-3 Sea Horse Hotel (C2) v Three Cranes (E1) 3-2 Golden Fleece (D2) v Yorkshire Terrier (F1) 1-3 Pivni (E2) v Exhibition (G1) 2-2 (6-2 pens) Gillygate (G2) v City Screen (F2) quarter finals... 3-1 (1) Fox v Gillygate (8) 0-4 (7) Exhibition v Maltings (2) 3-3 (1-4 pens) (3) Phoenix v Golden Fleece (6) 5-1 (5) Sea Horse Hotel v Pavement Vaults (4) semi finals... (1) Fox v Maltings (2) (4) Sea Horse Hotel v Golden Fleece (3) final... Fox or Maltings v Sea Horse/Golden Fleece |
group stage scores
Matchday One 4-3 Micklegate at 127 v York Tap 2-4 Falcon Tap v Fox 2-2 Maltings v Victoria Vaults 3-3 Artful Dodger v Old Ebor 2-3 Lighthorseman v Phoenix 2-3 Sea Horse Hotel v Waggon & Horses 0-3 Golden Fleece v Pavement Vaults 3-2 Sutlers v Walmgate Ale House 2-1 Cross Keys v Golden Slipper 2-4 Pivni v Three Cranes 2-2 City Screen v Guy Fawkes 1-2 Ye Olde Starre Inne v Yorkshire Terrier 2-2 Eagle & Child v Exhibition 3-2 Gillygate v White Horse Matchday Two 1-3 York Tap v Falcon Tap 4-3 Fox v Micklegate at 127 3-4 Old Ebor v Maltings 5-0 Victoria Vaults v Artful Dodger 2-1 Waggon & Horses v Lighthorseman 4-5 Phoenix v Sea Horse Hotel 1-3 Walmgate Ale House v Golden Fleece 3-1 Pavement Vaults v Sutlers 2-2 Three Cranes v Cross Keys 1-4 Golden Slipper v Pivni 0-2 Guy Fawkes v Ye Olde Starre Inne 2-1 Yorkshire Terrier v City Screen 3-2 Exhibition v Gillygate 1-4 White Horse v Eagle & Child Matchday Three 4-1 Fox v York Tap 2-5 Falcon Tap v Micklegate at 127 4-4 Victoria Vaults v Old Ebor 2-4 Artful Dodger v Maltings 2-4 Lighthorseman v Sea Horse Hotel 0-4 Waggon & Horses v Phoenix 3-1 Golden Fleece v Sutlers 2-3 Pavement Vaults v Walmgate Ale House 4-2 Three Cranes v Golden Slipper 1-3 Cross Keys v Pivni 0-2 Ye Olde Starre Inne v City Screen 1-3 Guy Fawkes v Yorkshire Terrier -1-3 White Horse v Exhibition 1-3 Eagle & Child v Gillygate |
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Group Stage
Only two pubs came through round one with perfect records, the Fox was truly impressive scoring 12 in the high-scoring Group A. Yorkshire Terrier far less impressive winning the low-scoring Group F with just 7. Victoria Vaults and Three Cranes also made it through round one without defeat.
Micklegate at 127 was the best second-placed team with 6 points and a +3 goal difference despite being the 4th favourite in Group A. Most unlucky pub was probably Old Ebor, scoring 10, but only converting that into 2 points for a couple of draws.
Waggon & Horses was the only third-placed pub to gain 6 points, so was the clear best 3rd place. Two third-placed pubs had 4 points, with Eagle and Child going through to round two thanks to superior goal difference.
Group A was the first to conclude thanks to the alphabetical nature of the alphabet, with Fox completing a clean sweep with a win over the pointless York Tap. With some of the pubs that will get through to round two, Tap can feel a bit unfortunate to not pick up a single point, but not as unfortunate as Falcon Tap, which is stranded on just three points and unlikely to make it through as a best loser. Falcon seemed like it should go through on night three in a straight head-to-head with Micklegate 127, the beer range was vast, the quality was good, the atmosphere wasn't bad and the staff were friendly and when the Micklegate only had two kind of Theakston's on, it seemed like it would be the Falcon going though. But this wasn't any ordinary pint of Jamie's, the superb vanilla mild managed to score a draw on beer and although not as cheap as the £2.20 Black Cat on night two, at £2.70 it was well worth a value for money. Points in every other category wrapped up a comfortable win against the odds as the group of death claimed York Tap for certain and probably Falcon Tap too, both excellent pubs, just beaten by better pubs on the night.
Group B wasn't an easy ride for Artful Dodger, but after a 5-0 thrashing on night two, it did at least bow out with a respectable defeat to group winner Maltings, even picking up a point for beer despite a terrible ale experience on the previous visit, this time serving up three different ales all of a high standard. Maltings was still the better pub overall with a much better hubbub than last time. The other tie was crucial, with Ebor needing a win against Victoria Vaults to stand a chance of progressing. After a tight battle with Cross Bay (it's from Morecambe) in both pubs, a 4-4 draw was the unsatisfying conclusion, with Old Ebor ending winless on just two points and Vicky Vaults slipping to second place in the group despite offering one of the best empty pub experiences in York.
Group C should have been easy for Waggon and Horses after two wins from two, but after Phoenix lost to Seahorse on night two it was in a must-win scenario against the group leader. Not only did it win, but it won without reply to move ahead of Waggon on goal difference, which was the worst-case scenario for Waggon as Seahorse Hotel picked up an expected win against the unfortunately pointless Lighthorseman to take the other automatic spot in round two. Waggon's 6 points were still enough to reach round two as the best of the rest, but slipping to third place means facing Maltings.
Group D ended on Good Friday, adding a different dimension to the usual Thursday night outings. All four pubs on offer are foody, so none should have been particularly disadvantaged more than the others, with Golden Fleece having a cosy corner by the piano to spare, Sutlers having the upstairs snug free despite a bunch of rooms closed for refurbishment, Pavement Vaults having plenty of underground spaces and Walmgate Ale House being nice and roomy in the back. This was a close group throughout with no real stand-out performer, but despite Pavement Vaults already being though and Walmgate Ale House already being out, it was the latter that came out best in their head to head, with some better than normal staff making the whole place feel more welcoming. Sutlers and Fleece went head-to-head in a straight fight for a round two spot, but despite some nice beer and a chance at topping the group, Sutlers ended the day bottom thanks to a lack of comfort in the formerly comfy room with an annoying loud group in the area next door and staff that didn't look familiar with the concept of customer service in a pub environment, it was the one place where the foodie alter-ego undermined the drinking experience and it proved costly, with Golden Fleece even able to offer excellent Theakston's Best Bitter, something I didn't even realise existed.
Group E reached a conclusion with Golden Slipper's third consecutive defeat, but it put in a much-improved effort against group winner Three Cranes. An interesting mix of snooker and Beautiful South, attentive barmen and a cosier than usual darts room meant it was the Slipper's best showing yet, but the Cranes' ability to be a proper local while right in the centre of York always means a good atmosphere and serving the best Tetley's imaginable is quite a feat. Pivni edged out Cross Keys in the battle for the second automatic spot, the newly refurbed Keys was barely any different except for a lick of paint and some stupid tables with see-through tops and a cheery barmaid (without a see-through top). Pivni downstairs is always a risky move, but it was still a decent atmosphere and good ale. There was no really great value anywhere, but the price tag on one of the beers was increased just before closing, maybe preparing for cashing in on Friday customers.
Group F at one point would have been the group of death. Guy Fawkes, Olde Starre Inne and Yorkshire Terrier have all at some point in the past been among the absolute pubs York has to offer. Now they all lack something from their glory days, while other places have improved. Yorkshire Terrier made it three wins out of three against Guy Fawkes, but has never really excelled. Once again it was lacking in atmosphere (except for what we created ourselves) and its saviour was Titanic Plum Porter, a rare interesting ale in pub that usually sticks to standard York Brewery fare. You wait ages for one good beer to come along and two come at once as they had Thornbridge Jaipur too. Guy Fawkes was Terrier's latest victim and in truth offered little beyond friendly staff and a little more light than normal. In the other tie, Ye Olde Starre Inne just needed to avoid defeat to reach round two, but instead offered one of the limpest performances in dicegame history. It wasn't bad as such, but unremarkable beer, poor service and an assorted bunch of weirdos creating an uncomfortable hubbub, it managed to score an almost impressive zero. City Screen wasn't without trouble, the beer was warm and flat, it was almost empty with only Phil Collins tunes for hubbub, but a point for the engaging staff and another on the weighted saw it through with a frankly pathetic 2-0 win.
Group G brought the first round to a close with a performance to forget, but first Eagle & Child was full, took ages to get served and not exactly blessed with the most charming staff. The heat didn't help the atmosphere squashed in a corner, but it wasn't bad. Unfortunately for it, Gillygate was better, with outside proving a better new location than night two's freezing snug proved to be. Gillygate's win saw it leapfrog E&C in the table, leaving Exhibition with the chance to win the group with victory against White Horse. In truth the win was secured before we even set foot in Exy, last time White Horse had a lack of drinks except for some OK Bomber, this time it had both Wainwright and Bomber, but both were off. Changing the Wainwrights seemed like a good plan at first, but the barmaid was unconvinced there was even anything wrong with it. The replacement Bomber was even worse, and despite a few attempts to drink a bit, four almost full pints were left, leading to a first-ever -1 scored for value for money. Exhibition wasn't outstanding, but would have won anyway, oddly much emptier than it's abysmal opponent across the street, but still with a good atmosphere. Actual beer was a joy to behold and Exy now faces Pivni in round two, while Gillygate gets arguably an easier tie than the group winner against City Screen.
Only two pubs came through round one with perfect records, the Fox was truly impressive scoring 12 in the high-scoring Group A. Yorkshire Terrier far less impressive winning the low-scoring Group F with just 7. Victoria Vaults and Three Cranes also made it through round one without defeat.
Micklegate at 127 was the best second-placed team with 6 points and a +3 goal difference despite being the 4th favourite in Group A. Most unlucky pub was probably Old Ebor, scoring 10, but only converting that into 2 points for a couple of draws.
Waggon & Horses was the only third-placed pub to gain 6 points, so was the clear best 3rd place. Two third-placed pubs had 4 points, with Eagle and Child going through to round two thanks to superior goal difference.
Group A was the first to conclude thanks to the alphabetical nature of the alphabet, with Fox completing a clean sweep with a win over the pointless York Tap. With some of the pubs that will get through to round two, Tap can feel a bit unfortunate to not pick up a single point, but not as unfortunate as Falcon Tap, which is stranded on just three points and unlikely to make it through as a best loser. Falcon seemed like it should go through on night three in a straight head-to-head with Micklegate 127, the beer range was vast, the quality was good, the atmosphere wasn't bad and the staff were friendly and when the Micklegate only had two kind of Theakston's on, it seemed like it would be the Falcon going though. But this wasn't any ordinary pint of Jamie's, the superb vanilla mild managed to score a draw on beer and although not as cheap as the £2.20 Black Cat on night two, at £2.70 it was well worth a value for money. Points in every other category wrapped up a comfortable win against the odds as the group of death claimed York Tap for certain and probably Falcon Tap too, both excellent pubs, just beaten by better pubs on the night.
Group B wasn't an easy ride for Artful Dodger, but after a 5-0 thrashing on night two, it did at least bow out with a respectable defeat to group winner Maltings, even picking up a point for beer despite a terrible ale experience on the previous visit, this time serving up three different ales all of a high standard. Maltings was still the better pub overall with a much better hubbub than last time. The other tie was crucial, with Ebor needing a win against Victoria Vaults to stand a chance of progressing. After a tight battle with Cross Bay (it's from Morecambe) in both pubs, a 4-4 draw was the unsatisfying conclusion, with Old Ebor ending winless on just two points and Vicky Vaults slipping to second place in the group despite offering one of the best empty pub experiences in York.
Group C should have been easy for Waggon and Horses after two wins from two, but after Phoenix lost to Seahorse on night two it was in a must-win scenario against the group leader. Not only did it win, but it won without reply to move ahead of Waggon on goal difference, which was the worst-case scenario for Waggon as Seahorse Hotel picked up an expected win against the unfortunately pointless Lighthorseman to take the other automatic spot in round two. Waggon's 6 points were still enough to reach round two as the best of the rest, but slipping to third place means facing Maltings.
Group D ended on Good Friday, adding a different dimension to the usual Thursday night outings. All four pubs on offer are foody, so none should have been particularly disadvantaged more than the others, with Golden Fleece having a cosy corner by the piano to spare, Sutlers having the upstairs snug free despite a bunch of rooms closed for refurbishment, Pavement Vaults having plenty of underground spaces and Walmgate Ale House being nice and roomy in the back. This was a close group throughout with no real stand-out performer, but despite Pavement Vaults already being though and Walmgate Ale House already being out, it was the latter that came out best in their head to head, with some better than normal staff making the whole place feel more welcoming. Sutlers and Fleece went head-to-head in a straight fight for a round two spot, but despite some nice beer and a chance at topping the group, Sutlers ended the day bottom thanks to a lack of comfort in the formerly comfy room with an annoying loud group in the area next door and staff that didn't look familiar with the concept of customer service in a pub environment, it was the one place where the foodie alter-ego undermined the drinking experience and it proved costly, with Golden Fleece even able to offer excellent Theakston's Best Bitter, something I didn't even realise existed.
Group E reached a conclusion with Golden Slipper's third consecutive defeat, but it put in a much-improved effort against group winner Three Cranes. An interesting mix of snooker and Beautiful South, attentive barmen and a cosier than usual darts room meant it was the Slipper's best showing yet, but the Cranes' ability to be a proper local while right in the centre of York always means a good atmosphere and serving the best Tetley's imaginable is quite a feat. Pivni edged out Cross Keys in the battle for the second automatic spot, the newly refurbed Keys was barely any different except for a lick of paint and some stupid tables with see-through tops and a cheery barmaid (without a see-through top). Pivni downstairs is always a risky move, but it was still a decent atmosphere and good ale. There was no really great value anywhere, but the price tag on one of the beers was increased just before closing, maybe preparing for cashing in on Friday customers.
Group F at one point would have been the group of death. Guy Fawkes, Olde Starre Inne and Yorkshire Terrier have all at some point in the past been among the absolute pubs York has to offer. Now they all lack something from their glory days, while other places have improved. Yorkshire Terrier made it three wins out of three against Guy Fawkes, but has never really excelled. Once again it was lacking in atmosphere (except for what we created ourselves) and its saviour was Titanic Plum Porter, a rare interesting ale in pub that usually sticks to standard York Brewery fare. You wait ages for one good beer to come along and two come at once as they had Thornbridge Jaipur too. Guy Fawkes was Terrier's latest victim and in truth offered little beyond friendly staff and a little more light than normal. In the other tie, Ye Olde Starre Inne just needed to avoid defeat to reach round two, but instead offered one of the limpest performances in dicegame history. It wasn't bad as such, but unremarkable beer, poor service and an assorted bunch of weirdos creating an uncomfortable hubbub, it managed to score an almost impressive zero. City Screen wasn't without trouble, the beer was warm and flat, it was almost empty with only Phil Collins tunes for hubbub, but a point for the engaging staff and another on the weighted saw it through with a frankly pathetic 2-0 win.
Group G brought the first round to a close with a performance to forget, but first Eagle & Child was full, took ages to get served and not exactly blessed with the most charming staff. The heat didn't help the atmosphere squashed in a corner, but it wasn't bad. Unfortunately for it, Gillygate was better, with outside proving a better new location than night two's freezing snug proved to be. Gillygate's win saw it leapfrog E&C in the table, leaving Exhibition with the chance to win the group with victory against White Horse. In truth the win was secured before we even set foot in Exy, last time White Horse had a lack of drinks except for some OK Bomber, this time it had both Wainwright and Bomber, but both were off. Changing the Wainwrights seemed like a good plan at first, but the barmaid was unconvinced there was even anything wrong with it. The replacement Bomber was even worse, and despite a few attempts to drink a bit, four almost full pints were left, leading to a first-ever -1 scored for value for money. Exhibition wasn't outstanding, but would have won anyway, oddly much emptier than it's abysmal opponent across the street, but still with a good atmosphere. Actual beer was a joy to behold and Exy now faces Pivni in round two, while Gillygate gets arguably an easier tie than the group winner against City Screen.
Round Two
Following a summer break to catch up on some neglected pubs that didn't make the Champions League, the nights got darker and cooler and the atmosphere was right for round two. From the second round onwards, it was just one tie per night with two pints in each pub.
Victoria Vaults (B2) 3-5 Fox (A1) The second round began with the best pub from round one seeing off the challenge of Vicky Vaults. Over the summer the Vaults Landlord had retired, but in truth nothing had really changed, except they no longer sold Cross Bay (it's from Morecambe). Fox was possibly not at it's peak, but after experiencing a couple of smartphone pub quizzes in the break, it was somewhat reassuring to find a proper quiz, with paper and cheating, as it should be.
Gillygate (G2) 2-2 (6-2 pens) City Screen (F2) The only tie with two second place pubs was always going to be interesting, although with the winner going to to face the Fox, it's a stiff challenge after this. Gillygate is a strange pub that doesn't always feel that cosy or have great beer and it was about as bang average as you could get once again, nothing wrong with it, but nothing stood out. City Screen isn't a pub, which always harms its scoring, as even with great beer, all it took was some questionable music, few other customers and that general lack of pubbiness for it to lose on the weighted vote, taking it to penalties and an unfortunate defeat.
Eagle & Child (3rd2) 0-3 Pavement Vaults (D1) Going a couple of months before Christmas should have given Eagle and Child a better chance than peak party season, but steak and jazz night is still really busy and the awful bar layout doesn't lend itself to good customer service no matter how hard the staff try. Comical overlapping entrance doors aside this wasn't a visit to remember. Pavement Vaults seems to have become the best of the newer bars despite the overly-foody area and disinterested bar staff. The underground booths are still the best part and lett you create your own little bubble to enjoy. Not amazing, but comfortably the best.
Sea Horse Hotel (C2) 5-3 Three Cranes (E1) Value for money has never really worked as a category, intended to balance out the unfairness of Sam Smiths pubs always having inferior range, it now gives them an unfair advantage as even overpriced OBB (£2, what a rip-off!) is cheaper than anywhere else. Three Cranes should be the type of place that can fight back with cheap and cheerful drinks of its own, but despite the slightly cheaper Tetley's, drinks getting on for 4 quid a pint are never going to score much for value. Other than price it was fairly even all round, with the weighted vote split down the middle. Beer was good in both, atmospheres were very different but both good, the heavily scripted barman in Seahorse didn't convince everyone, but Seahorse once again came out with a maximum score of 5
Pivni (E2) 1-3 Exhibition (G1) A rare Monday night out meant York was quieter than normal, and that was certainly the case in Pivni which was quiet and spacious in the normally busy middle floor. The beer was good, although Si had fears of his almondy one killing him, so swapped pints. Exhibition was equally good on ales however with a couple of nice dark ones, a nice Fuller's and top quality Landlord, and the warmth and music there edged the atmosphere too. With no staff points or value for money on offer, the weighted vote went in Exxy's favour too, although Si risked getting barred by saying the barman was cleaning tables like a bitch.
Waggon & Horses (3rd1) 2-3 Maltings (B1) A surprise 3rd place for Waggon caused two of the favourites to face each other in round two and with Maltings' habit of underperforming in dice games, this was a trickier opponent than it would have hoped for. Both were busy (though nobody seemed interested in the Arsenal game that was on TV in Waggon and we still got the Bournemouth table in Maltings), both had good beer (though the North Riding Fuge Brownie stout in Maltings was a highlight), but in the end the weighted was straightforward win for Maltings.
Micklegate 127 (A2) 3-4 Phoenix (C1) 2018 kicked off with surprise package Micklegate having to contend with a football night for the first time. It had little effect really, only being put on a few TVs, with only a few people interested and the pop soundtrack still in evidence as well as the commentary. The beer is always surprisingly good here, but it's still not enough to win against the impeccable Phoenix, although the low pricing earned rare points for value for money. Atmos and staff were different, but overall equal, leaving the weighted vote to come out in favour of the Phoenix.
Golden Fleece (D2) 3-2 Yorkshire Terrier (F1) In football you often get a game of two halves, in this tie, it was a game of two pints in each pub. Golden Fleece started well enough, gloomy but not too dark, expensive but with a pound off voucher for your next pint (on another day). The beer was solid, atmos reasonable. For pint two it had extremes of hubub, from a big loud group to almost empty. Then the killer blow, closing the top bar, and for some reason needing to make everyone sitting up there leave, leading to the end of brinks being enjoyed in the sloping hall of heads by the toilets. Terrier should have been overjoyed at this, a blatant own goal, which gave an easy opportunity to progress. On arrival upstairs was full of chess, but downstairs was warm and had plenty of people, the range looked interesting and they have the beer shop at the front for a quick browse. All going well, then pint two: fine for two of us, off for the other two and a barman who refused to change it, evening up the negative staffing. Chess players descent ruined the atmosphere too making that level. Weighted vote was tied, but the beer was the decider.
Following a summer break to catch up on some neglected pubs that didn't make the Champions League, the nights got darker and cooler and the atmosphere was right for round two. From the second round onwards, it was just one tie per night with two pints in each pub.
Victoria Vaults (B2) 3-5 Fox (A1) The second round began with the best pub from round one seeing off the challenge of Vicky Vaults. Over the summer the Vaults Landlord had retired, but in truth nothing had really changed, except they no longer sold Cross Bay (it's from Morecambe). Fox was possibly not at it's peak, but after experiencing a couple of smartphone pub quizzes in the break, it was somewhat reassuring to find a proper quiz, with paper and cheating, as it should be.
Gillygate (G2) 2-2 (6-2 pens) City Screen (F2) The only tie with two second place pubs was always going to be interesting, although with the winner going to to face the Fox, it's a stiff challenge after this. Gillygate is a strange pub that doesn't always feel that cosy or have great beer and it was about as bang average as you could get once again, nothing wrong with it, but nothing stood out. City Screen isn't a pub, which always harms its scoring, as even with great beer, all it took was some questionable music, few other customers and that general lack of pubbiness for it to lose on the weighted vote, taking it to penalties and an unfortunate defeat.
Eagle & Child (3rd2) 0-3 Pavement Vaults (D1) Going a couple of months before Christmas should have given Eagle and Child a better chance than peak party season, but steak and jazz night is still really busy and the awful bar layout doesn't lend itself to good customer service no matter how hard the staff try. Comical overlapping entrance doors aside this wasn't a visit to remember. Pavement Vaults seems to have become the best of the newer bars despite the overly-foody area and disinterested bar staff. The underground booths are still the best part and lett you create your own little bubble to enjoy. Not amazing, but comfortably the best.
Sea Horse Hotel (C2) 5-3 Three Cranes (E1) Value for money has never really worked as a category, intended to balance out the unfairness of Sam Smiths pubs always having inferior range, it now gives them an unfair advantage as even overpriced OBB (£2, what a rip-off!) is cheaper than anywhere else. Three Cranes should be the type of place that can fight back with cheap and cheerful drinks of its own, but despite the slightly cheaper Tetley's, drinks getting on for 4 quid a pint are never going to score much for value. Other than price it was fairly even all round, with the weighted vote split down the middle. Beer was good in both, atmospheres were very different but both good, the heavily scripted barman in Seahorse didn't convince everyone, but Seahorse once again came out with a maximum score of 5
Pivni (E2) 1-3 Exhibition (G1) A rare Monday night out meant York was quieter than normal, and that was certainly the case in Pivni which was quiet and spacious in the normally busy middle floor. The beer was good, although Si had fears of his almondy one killing him, so swapped pints. Exhibition was equally good on ales however with a couple of nice dark ones, a nice Fuller's and top quality Landlord, and the warmth and music there edged the atmosphere too. With no staff points or value for money on offer, the weighted vote went in Exxy's favour too, although Si risked getting barred by saying the barman was cleaning tables like a bitch.
Waggon & Horses (3rd1) 2-3 Maltings (B1) A surprise 3rd place for Waggon caused two of the favourites to face each other in round two and with Maltings' habit of underperforming in dice games, this was a trickier opponent than it would have hoped for. Both were busy (though nobody seemed interested in the Arsenal game that was on TV in Waggon and we still got the Bournemouth table in Maltings), both had good beer (though the North Riding Fuge Brownie stout in Maltings was a highlight), but in the end the weighted was straightforward win for Maltings.
Micklegate 127 (A2) 3-4 Phoenix (C1) 2018 kicked off with surprise package Micklegate having to contend with a football night for the first time. It had little effect really, only being put on a few TVs, with only a few people interested and the pop soundtrack still in evidence as well as the commentary. The beer is always surprisingly good here, but it's still not enough to win against the impeccable Phoenix, although the low pricing earned rare points for value for money. Atmos and staff were different, but overall equal, leaving the weighted vote to come out in favour of the Phoenix.
Golden Fleece (D2) 3-2 Yorkshire Terrier (F1) In football you often get a game of two halves, in this tie, it was a game of two pints in each pub. Golden Fleece started well enough, gloomy but not too dark, expensive but with a pound off voucher for your next pint (on another day). The beer was solid, atmos reasonable. For pint two it had extremes of hubub, from a big loud group to almost empty. Then the killer blow, closing the top bar, and for some reason needing to make everyone sitting up there leave, leading to the end of brinks being enjoyed in the sloping hall of heads by the toilets. Terrier should have been overjoyed at this, a blatant own goal, which gave an easy opportunity to progress. On arrival upstairs was full of chess, but downstairs was warm and had plenty of people, the range looked interesting and they have the beer shop at the front for a quick browse. All going well, then pint two: fine for two of us, off for the other two and a barman who refused to change it, evening up the negative staffing. Chess players descent ruined the atmosphere too making that level. Weighted vote was tied, but the beer was the decider.
previous winners
FUCKDUP Jan-Mar 06: FUCKDUP 06-07: Champions League 07-08: FUCKDUP Jan-Sep 08: Jig Cup 08-10: FUCKDUP 10-13: A-Z 2015: FUCKDUP 13-15: |
Tap And Spile Ackhorne Blue Bell Minster Inn Waggon And Horses Slip Inn Waggon And Horses Blue Bell |
beat Ackhorne 4-3 in the final beat The Swan 8-3 on aggregate in a two-legged final beat The Swan 10-9 on aggregate in a two-legged final beat Royal Oak in a two-legged final beat Judges Lodgings 4-1 in the final beat Blue Bell 6-5 in the final beat Brigantes 6-1 in the final |