Best Venues

The Top 10 Best Pubs and Bars in York

York was established by the Romans in 71AD as a fort, with battalions of soldiers, who no doubt enjoyed relaxing with a drink at the tavern after a busy day, so York bars and pubs have been serving drinks for almost 2000 years.  Today, York’s selection of bars is brimming with character, charm, and innovation. York has pubs and bars of every brew from centuries-old inns with spooky tales of ghosts, to classic gastro pubs, and modern craft beer havens, ready for a taste of the city’s drinking establishments? Let’s take a sip.  One of the city's most unique drinking spots is The Roman Bath, where you can sup your pint above a genuine Roman bathhouse. A favourite for history lovers, the pub boasts a small museum showcasing remnants of York’s ancient past. Another gem is The Blue Bell, a tiny Edwardian pub that remains virtually unchanged since the day it opened its doors for the first time. With an intimate atmosphere and classic ales, this friendly and traditional pub offers an authentic experience.For those who enjoy a livelier setting, Charles XII is a popular spot among students and locals alike. Close to the University of York, the pub has a buzzing atmosphere and on sunny afternoons, its spacious beer garden is the perfect place to chillax. Beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Last Drop Inn, a cosy pub run by the York Brewery, which serves an excellent selection of locally brewed ales in a warm and inviting setting. And York Tap, located in the city’s historic railway station, boasts an impressive lineup of craft beers from around the world, all served in a beautifully restored Victorian setting that feels like a step back in time. On the other end of the spectrum, Brew York is a must-visit for a brewery and taproom, nestled alongside the River Foss, offers a fantastic selection of beers brewed on-site, often with experimental and locally inspired flavours.It’s not all about beer in this city, if mixers and cocktails are more your style, Evil Eye is the place to be. Hidden on York's oldest street, you'll find an escape from the norms of York and a place to relax. This quirky bar is famed for its inventive drinks, which include an extensive selection of exotic gins. And dancers will enjoy Popworld York, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, with neon-lit interiors and an infectious playlist made of five decades of pop classics. For somewhere quieter, seek out the Phoenix Inn, a snug public house dating back to the 18th century, committed to serving good northern beers and always has five real ales on tap. The perfect escape from the city hustle and bustle. Last stop, something completely different, Valhalla York, a Norse-themed bar where visitors can sip mead and ale in a Viking-inspired setting, with a pleasing décor of rustic wood and an impressive range of hearty food.With a bar and pub scene as rich as the city itself, York is the perfection destination for parties, gatherings and celebrations of all kinds. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, corporate event, private celebration, Christmas party, or looking for hen and stag do ideas, York offers something for every drinker, and every special occasion. Cheers!For more on York, check out The 10 Best Places to Visit in York and The 10 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in York, then you’re all set for a fantastic visit.

Choose Your Venue

24-02-25

One of the city's most unique drinking spots is The Roman Bath, where you can sup your pint above a genuine Roman bathhouse. A favourite for history lovers, the pub boasts a small museum showcasing remnants of York’s ancient past. Another gem is The Blue Bell, a tiny Edwardian pub that remains virtually unchanged since the day it opened its doors for the first time. With an intimate atmosphere and classic ales, this friendly and traditional pub offers an authentic experience.

For those who enjoy a livelier setting, Charles XII is a popular spot among students and locals alike. Close to the University of York, the pub has a buzzing atmosphere and on sunny afternoons, its spacious beer garden is the perfect place to chillax.

Beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Last Drop Inn, a cosy pub run by the York Brewery, which serves an excellent selection of locally brewed ales in a warm and inviting setting. And York Tap, located in the city’s historic railway station, boasts an impressive lineup of craft beers from around the world, all served in a beautifully restored Victorian setting that feels like a step back in time. On the other end of the spectrum, Brew York is a must-visit for a brewery and taproom, nestled alongside the River Foss, offers a fantastic selection of beers brewed on-site, often with experimental and locally inspired flavours.

It’s not all about beer in this city, if mixers and cocktails are more your style, Evil Eye is the place to be. Hidden on York's oldest street, you'll find an escape from the norms of York and a place to relax. This quirky bar is famed for its inventive drinks, which include an extensive selection of exotic gins. And dancers will enjoy Popworld York, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, with neon-lit interiors and an infectious playlist made of five decades of pop classics.

For somewhere quieter, seek out the Phoenix Inn, a snug public house dating back to the 18^th century, committed to serving good northern beers and always has five real ales on tap. The perfect escape from the city hustle and bustle.

Last stop, something completely different, Valhalla York, a Norse-themed bar where visitors can sip mead and ale in a Viking-inspired setting, with a pleasing décor of rustic wood and an impressive range of hearty food.

With a bar and pub scene as rich as the city itself, York is the perfection destination for parties, gatherings and celebrations of all kinds. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, corporate event, private celebration, Christmas party, or looking for hen and stag do ideas, York offers something for every drinker, and every special occasion. Cheers!

For more on York, check out The 10 Best Places to Visit in York and The 10 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in York, then you’re all set for a fantastic visit.

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A Warm Farewell: What to Look for in a Pub Function Room for a Wake

A pub function room can offer a warm, familiar, and relaxed setting for a wake. It provides a space where people can share stories, connect, and remember in comfort. Many pubs offer private or semi-private rooms suitable for gatherings of all sizes, here’s your guide to choosing the right one for the wake your are planning.What to Look for in a Pub Function Room Privacy and atmosphere matter. Look for pubs with dedicated function rooms away from the main bar area. Comfortable seating, soft lighting, and a calm environment help guests feel at ease. Staff experienced in hosting wakes can support you with arrangements such as music, photo displays, or quiet spaces.Types of Pub Function Rooms There are so many different types of pub venues, from traditional inns with cosy private rooms to modern pubs with spacious function suites. Some are located near crematoria or churches, while others offer a more personal connection—perhaps a favourite local spot. Many pubs provide flexible hire options to suit your needs.Catering and Hospitality Pubs often offer buffet menus, afternoon tea, or light refreshments. Ask about dietary options, bar service, and whether you can bring in your own food. Some pubs offer exclusive-use bars within the function room. Confirm timings to ensure a smooth transition from the funeral service.Location, Parking, and Transport Links Choose a pub with convenient access and parking. Step-free access is important for older guests or those with mobility needs. Many pubs can also advise on local taxi services and public transport.Conclusion A pub function room can provide a warm and welcoming setting for a wake. Consider all the options available in your area on chooseyourvenue.com and choose a venue that feels right for your family and the person you’re remembering.

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How to Guide13-02-26

When Should You Book a Venue for an 80th Birthday Party?

An 80th birthday is a meaningful occasion, often bringing together family, friends, and loved ones. Whether you’re planning a quiet gathering or a larger celebration, starting early helps everything run smoothly. You don’t need to decide every detail straight away, but choosing a date and thinking about the guest list is a good first step. Most people begin planning an 80th birthday party four to six months in advance. If you’re booking a venue or expecting guests to travel, it’s worth starting early. Weekends in spring, summer, and of course, December, can get busy, and early planning gives you time to make adjustments if needed.What’s the best day and time for a party?Afternoon gatherings are popular for 80th birthday celebrations. They’re easy for guests to attend and suit a relaxed format—whether it’s a lunch, garden party, or afternoon tea. Starting around 2–4pm works well, giving people time to arrive and enjoy the event without it running too late.What happens if I need to change something?Planning ahead gives you flexibility. If you need to adjust the date, change the venue, or rethink the format, you’ll have time to do it without stress. Most venues and suppliers are happy to accommodate changes if you give them notice. Leaving things late can make changes harder and limit your options.How can I find the right venue?If you don’t know any suitable venues, ask friends or family for suggestions, or search online with venue-finding sites that let you compare spaces, check availability, and enquire directly. ChooseYourVenue.com is user-friendly and lists options across the UK, from pubs to halls.

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13-07-26 Live Group secures multi-year partnership with BDO UK for integrated event planning and support services

Leading UK events agency appointed as sole supplier to one of the country’s largest accountancy and business advisory firms. London, UK — [Date] — Live Group, the UK-based events and engagement agency, has entered into a multi-year partnership with BDO UK LLP, one of the country’s leading accountancy and business advisory firms.Under the agreement, Live Group will act as BDO UK’s partner for event planning support, covering both venue sourcing and broader event coordination across all 17 of the firm’s offices. The partnership is designed to bring greater consistency and clarity to how events are delivered across the organisation, enabling teams to work with a single, trusted framework for planning and delivery.Beyond venue sourcing, the partnership places particular emphasis on enhancing BDO’s ability to design and manage events in a more joined-up, insight-led way. Through centralised processes and clearer oversight of national activity, BDO will be better equipped to streamline planning, improve operational efficiency, and ensure event experiences consistently reflect the needs of its people, clients and communities. Live Group brings more than 50 years of experience across conferences, leadership programmes, client events and hybrid experiences. Its appointment reflects a broader move by organisations toward integrated event support models that balance operational efficiency with a deeper understanding of audience engagement.Suzie Branscombe, Events Project Lead at BDO UK, said: "Events play a vital role in how we connect with both our people and the businesses and communities we work with. A lot of time an effort goes into the planning and executing our events, involving work from teams and individuals across our business.”“This partnership gives us a more coordinated way of delivering those moments, helping us focus on the quality, purpose and impact of the experiences we create, making them engaging and memorable for all the right reasons.”Stephen D. Pickett, Managing Director at Live Group, added: "We’re proud to support BDO in creating events that bring their people and the businesses they work with together, and to help shape experiences that genuinely resonate with the audiences they’re designed for."The partnership aligns both organisations around a shared goal: to deliver meaningful, well-supported events that foster stronger connections and support long-term engagement.

13-07-26 CHS Manchester Promises an ‘Unreasonable’ Visitor Experience

13th July 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester will adopt a new approach to the visitor experience, when the show goes live on 30th September at the AO Arena, Manchester. Recognised for their human and personable personalities, this year the team at CHS are pushing from being of use to visitors to being of ‘unreasonable’ use to them.Inspired by the internationally acclaimed philosophy of Unreasonable Hospitality, the CHS team has fully embraced the ethos, from a team away day, to a trip to Nashville to see it brought to life through a live event. The ethos is built around creating memorable moments through thoughtful, unexpected acts of generosity that leave a lasting impression.Rather than focusing solely on what's on the exhibition floor, the show has been carefully curated around how visitors feel throughout their time in Manchester, from the moment they register to the conversations they have long after the event has finished.The approach is reflected throughout this year's programme. Kicking off the event, Manchester Calling, the official Welcome Reception, will invite delegates to experience the city itself, celebrating the venues, neighbourhoods, food, culture and people that make Manchester one of the UK's most vibrant event destinations. At the same time, a growing programme of fringe events, informal meet-ups and networking experiences will extend those conversations beyond the exhibition, creating opportunities to build relationships in a more relaxed and authentic way.While inside the event, visitors will discover an education programme featuring some of the industry's leading thinkers, alongside practical sessions exploring the latest AI solutions and technologies that are helping event professionals work smarter, save time and deliver more impactful events.CHS Manchester has also partnered with hotels across the city to provide exclusive accommodation for hosted buyers, and selected visitors, with the promise of a good night’s sleep ahead of a busy show. Participating properties include the Treehouse Manchester, Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, INNSiDE by Meliá, Moxy, Hotel Football Old Trafford, Hampton by Hilton, Hyatt House, Roomzzz Aparthotels, DakotaManchester, Hotel Indigo, The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly and The Deansgate Hotel.For the CHS Manchester team, however, these features are simply expressions of a much bigger ambition. Emma King, Founder and CEO of CHS Manchester, explained,"I've always believed that people don't remember events because of the size of the exhibition or the number of exhibitors. They remember how those events made them feel.""When we saw Unreasonable Hospitality brought to life in Nashville, it immediately resonated because it put into words something we've been trying to build at CHS for years. It's about looking beyond good customer service and asking ourselves a different question: what's the unexpected thing we could do that makes someone's day genuinely better?""That might be introducing a first-time visitor to people they'll still know years later. It might be helping someone discover a brilliant part of Manchester they'd never have found on their own. It might simply be making sure they have a wonderful night's sleep, so they arrive inspired and ready for the day ahead."The visitor experience builds on CHS's growing reputation for delivering practical education, meaningful networking and industry-leading innovation, while recognising that the moments between the meetings are often the ones that delegates remember most.

08-07-26 London Hilton on Park Lane Named Best Hotel Marketing Team at the Hotel Marketing Awards 2026

Judges praise team as "a template for how to run a marketing department" at annual Hotel Marketing Association ceremonyLondon, XX June 2026 – London Hilton on Park Lane has been named Best Hotel Marketing Team at the 2026 Hotel Marketing Awards, hosted by the Hotel Marketing Association (HMA), part of the Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA). Agilysys sponsored the award.The team outperformed a strong shortlist, including Luxury Family Hotels and Sutton Hotel Collection, and was recognised for strong leadership, clear strategy, and a high-energy approach. Judges described the team as "a template for how to run a marketing department," highlighting their agility, bravery, and ability to seize opportunities, and called them "everything you would expect from the ultimate marketing team."Hannah Pritchard, Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications at London Hilton on Park Lane, said: "This award is an incredible testament to the journey our team has been on together. Made up of five talented women, each person brings something unique to their role, strengthening not only our team but the hotel as a whole. Grace, Ellie, Lillie and Gabby are true culture drivers, combining creativity, commercial thinking and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such an inspiring group of people. To be recognised by the Hotel Marketing Association and a panel of industry judges makes this achievement even more meaningful. We're proud of what we've built together and excited to keep raising the bar."HMA Chairman Harry Fielder said of this year's winners: "The innovation and strategic clarity showcased by our winners this year are exactly what our industry needs for the future. From using AI frameworks, to executing beautiful, human-centric local partnerships, UK hotel marketers are proving that marketing culture has firmly returned to the heart of business strategy.”London Hilton on Park Lane was one of seven category winners, with HMA commending the team for bringing "agile, data-driven leadership" to one of the capital's most celebrated properties.

07-07-26 British Accounting and Finance Association Chooses Cardiff for 2027 Annual Conference

7th July 2026, UK: Meet In Wales has announced that the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) will bring its annual conference to Cardiff in 2027 — another strong endorsement of Wales as a compelling destination for global academic and professional gatherings.The conference will attract leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from across the UK and internationally, reinforcing Wales’s growing reputation as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration.Securing the event was led by Meet In Wales conference ambassador Professor Qingwei Wang, together with his colleagues, Professor Jill Atkins, Dr Svetlana Mira and Dr Dennis De Widt. Professor Wang is Professor of Finance and Head of Accounting and Finance at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. He also leads the Cardiff FinTech Research Group and has spent more than a decade at the university. During his career he has organised or co-organised around 20 UK and international conferences.Professor Wang said:“Cardiff combines a strong academic community with excellent conference facilities and a highly accessible location. Cardiff University has high strength in accounting, finance, and FinTech research, making it a great home for the BAFA conference. Cardiff also offers a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming environment for delegates.”Ambassadors form a key strategic part of Wales’ promotional plans, with a national ambassador programme as well as a city programme in Cardiff. Meet In Wales aligns its ambassador network with the key priority sectors and Research Excellence Framework which includes Fintech.The selection of Cardiff reflects the city’s strong academic ecosystem, excellent infrastructure and reputation for delivering high-quality conference experiences. Meet In Wales worked in partnership with Cardiff University and local stakeholders to support the successful bid and its Head of Business Events, Heledd Williams said: “Hosting the BAFA Annual Conference in Cardiff is another powerful example of international academic communities choosing Wales for its expertise, accessibility and warm welcome. Conferences like BAFA not only advance global knowledge exchange but also create lasting connections between international specialists and our research communities.”Today, the Wales tech sector is worth an estimated £8.5billion to the Welsh economy, with Wales leading the way in FinTech growth by combining rapid job creation with a strong ecosystem of innovators and global brands. FinTechs across the nation are expanding fast, with major employers such as Starling Bank, Sonovate, Delio, Pepper Money, and Wealthify driving sector growth.