York pub undergoes major refurbishment

In 1736, historian Francis Drake hailed it as one of two noteworthy inns in the street. In 1818, William Hargrove - the father of this paper's founder, no less - described it as a "very excellent inn" and the only one of consequence in Micklegate. And in 1902, in a survey that shamed many other York pubs, the Chief Constable found this one worthy of passing praise.

So the local consternation in 2002 when The Falcon was butchered and turned into Rumours was understandable.

Now though, exactly 300 years after its first known mention, the old bird could be set to fly high again. The pub regained its old name last year, albeit with the 'Tap' addendum, and after stuttering and fluttering though much of 2014, The Falcon now looks ready to soar.

Its owners the Little Tap Company have carried out a major refurbishment, giving it a new look outside and a much-needed overhaul inside.

The structure remains broadly the same at ground-level, but new fittings and fixtures have smartened it up. Below ground, there are also noteworthy changes. The original cellar directly below the bar, having been boarded up in 1981, has been reopened and the 'new' cellar under the back yard will in due course be converted into an additional seating area.

Christian Garvey is the new man in charge and he is relishing the chance to make his mark. He has experience in catering and bar work and has previously worked in Kennedy's, the Old Star Inn, Pitcher & Piano and the City Screen Bar, but says he has never had as much freedom as he does now, and plans to take advantage.

"They have given me a blank canvas, which is quite rare," he says. "I have looked at what is happening in Micklegate, with the likes of Brigantes specialising in craft beer and with a clientele more civilised than the reputation Micklegate has.

"We can go along that route but we also want to play music and encourage students to come in, so we are trying to do a bit of both. I am trying to change the perception of Micklegate. It is such a beautiful street but it has had such a bad reputation. We have our work cut out but we are getting there."

He says they re-opened "with a whimper" the week before Christmas but hopes to take flight properly this year, including with a "beer, bangers and rock 'n roll" festival at the end of February, improvements to the beer garden and perhaps, eventually, some regular food as well.

The back bar at The Falcon Tap

For now, the focus is more on the beer front. York Brewery's Guzzler is a permanent fixture on the bar, and a house beer, Falcon Best Bitter, will be brewed with Greene King. Alongside those will be rotating guest ales and keg beers, examples this week including Greene King's Noble lager, Amstel, York's Beta Max, Heineken and Old Speckled Hen. The bottled range in the fridge was better than in many bars, with Saltaire Brewery particularly well-represented.

Christian Garvey in the front room at The Falcon Tap

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IT'S Burns Night next Sunday, and several pubs are joining in the festivities:

• All JD Wetherspoon pubs are serving a range of haggis-based meals from Monday through to next Sunday. Local pubs include The Punch Bowl at Micklegate Bar, the Postern Gate in Piccadilly and The Giant Bellflower in Gowthorpe, Selby.
• Nicholson's pubs (including Harkers, The Old White Swan, The Cross Keys in Goodramgate and The Punch Bowl in Stonegate) are also serving haggis meals.
• Brigantes is hosting whisky-tasting nights next Friday and Saturday.
• The Red Lion in Merchantgate has a whisky evening on Saturday.