The Best Wheelchair-Accessible Bars In York

pippa sat in one of her favourite wheelchair-accessible bars, holding up a gin glass adorned with strawberries while looking off to the side and smiling

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This post was first published in February 2020, and was last updated in October 2024. Please bear in mind that I don’t represent every disabled person’s experiences and also that things can change – it’s always worth double-checking access information for yourself before you travel!

Are you looking for wheelchair accessible bars in the gorgeous city of York? In this post I’ll share a few of my top venues for a drink or two in the city centre, that are accessible (or somewhat accessible) for people using mobility aids. Hope you find it helpful!

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Pippa, a disabled writer and blogger from Yorkshire. I grew up in Sheffield but fell in love with the city of York when I started university. I’ve now lived here for the past ten years and counting and despite the various access challenges that come with living in a cobbly historic city, I have zero intentions of moving anywhere else. If you’re planning a trip here, you may also be interested in my top ten wheelchair accessible things to do in York [coming soon], and this guide to my favourite accessible indie cafes and coffee shops too. I also share my recommendations and what I’m up to in real time over on Instagram and YouTube, and you can shop my books and eBooks here. Anyway, let’s crack on!

*I do not give consent for this blog post or for any of my words to be lifted and published on other outlets. I see you, and it’s not okay. If you’d like to cook up something together, feel free to get in touch here and let’s have a nice chat about it. Just no nicking my words in the meantime, please and thank you.*

Stonegate Yard

8-10 Little Stonegate York YO1 8AX

“Stonegate Yard is situated in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on Little Stonegate, one of York’s premier destinations for the discerning shopper and diner”.

Stonegate Yard is one of my go-to favourite wheelchair accessible bars for a drink or a bite to eat. There’s two floors of indoor seating within their beautiful historic building and also a very cute outdoor courtyard with seating surrounded by heaters to keep you warm during the cooler months. Head down the alleyway off Little Stonegate and you’ll find yourself directly in the courtyard, and if you want to continue onwards into the indoor seating, staff can provide a ramp.

Although it’s a wheelchair accessible bar, do bear in mind that their only toilet is located on the second floor and can only be accessed up a flight of stairs. Staff have told me that “we do have many wheelchair users dine with us, we always let people know on arrival (if we haven’t been given prior warning of the toilet situation), so that everyone is as informed as possible from the get-go”.

Cat In The Wall

4 The Stonebow, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7NY

“Cat In The Wall is a cosy independent café-bar located in the heart of York. We’re best known for our selection of classic and signature cocktails, fun live entertainment and our unique look.”

I love the vibes of Cat In The Wall. Despite hosting a thriving programme of events throughout the year, I always find the venue to have a calm and ambient feel about it, whether you’re plopping into one of their comfy chairs after a day of shopping or dressing up and heading out for drinks with friends.

There’s a slight slope up to the entrance of the building, and level access throughout once inside. Staff say “our entrance and seating area is fully accessible. Sadly the doorway to the toilet is only 71cm wide. We are saving up to get it replaced, but it might take a little while”.

Turtle Bay

11 Little Stonegate, York, YO1 8AX

“Serving up fresh Caribbean-inspired flavours, 2-4-1 cocktails at Happy Hour and our famous Bottomless Brunch”. 

Turtle Bay is one of my favourite places for food and drinks. Their cocktails are delicious and their Vegan Motherclucker Burger genuinely gives me life. Online information states there is wheelchair access and an accessible toilet on the premises: there is level access, but bear in mind there’s a lot of outdoor seating cluttering the pavements around this area. It’s doable, but my best advice is to have somebody with you who can shift chairs and tables out of your way so you can save your valuable energy for important burger consumption duties.

Tank and Paddle

Merchant Exchange, York, YO1 6DD

“Our drinks menu showcases regional brews such as Brew York and Ilkley Pale, trendy craft beers, cask ales such as Black Sheep and Roosters and is the first northern bar to feature big tanks of Meantime’s Brewery Fresh! We also offer a wide range of gins that include regional favourites, Yorkshire Dales Distillery alongside classic blends like Slingsby. Customers will also have the opportunity to experience Gin masterclasses, learning all there is to know about the spirit, how to select the right garnishes and how to recreate their favourite tipples.”

Tank and Paddle is situated in a gorgeous location right next to the scenic riverside in York. There’s slightly sloped level access into the building, and then a platform lift to take you down the equivalent of a few steps to the main floor. However, a staff member has to activate the lift before you can actually use it; quite a problematic process given that you’re not usually within the sight of any staff members when you come in through the door. On previous visits, I’ve had to either text friends to come and rescue me, or ask strangers to go and alert staff for me. However, once you’re down the venue is wide and spacious, and you can also access seating on the outdoor balcony with no extra faff.

Slug and Lettuce

22–26 Back Swinegate, York, YO1 8AD *and* 1–1A Low Ousegate, York Riverside, YO1 9QU

“Fantastic variety of continental beers, extensive quality wines and champagne. Great range of cocktails as well as local cask ales available.”

Slug and Lettuce is well-loved in York, meaning there are two venues fairly close together…

Riverside: The following information was provided by staff – “We are wheelchair accessible, our front door is through a level access. We also have a ramp in the venue, a disabled toilet and offer a portable ramp that our staff can put down to get to those areas with steps.”

Swinegate: The following information was provided by staff – “We are floor-level entry so no problems there, we have disabled facilities also on that level. We have a ramp (permanent) that leads to our raised area on one side, which accommodates a total of around 60 guests seated. Our bar is not lowered at any point regrettably, however it is on the ground level and we have a PED card machine for payments located in a better position for anyone who needs to pay this way. The other side of our bar is regrettably up a single step to this section and we do not have a ramp for access to this area”.

Revolution York

Coney St, York YO1 9NA

“Individually styled chain bar with a global menu of comfort-food classics and nightly happy hours.”

While a visit to Revs definitely isn’t on my radar as much these days as it was during my student years and I don’t quite fancy stomaching the crowds any more, it’s popular for a reason and a total classic for a girl’s night out – especially if you have reason to celebrare.

The York venue is in a a beautiful location overlooking the river. Staff at this branch provided the following information: “Here at Revolution we are fully accessible via wheelchair. Our access is at ground level and we have a lift available for access to the 1st floor.” 

BrewDog York

130-134 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

“For all of us at BrewDog, craft beer is more than something to be enjoyed on a Friday night when the week has come to an end. It is a way of life. The enthusiasm for being involved in this industry, and for delivering the greatest levels of service and beer quality is inherent in everything that we do, each and every day of the week.”

Although I’m not a craft beer fan myself, BrewDog is incredibly popular and I’ve found myself in there with friends on a few occasions now. The main entrance is accessed via steps, but head to the left of the building and you’ll find their side-door with sloped, ramp access instead. There is level access across the main bar and seating area, with an accessible toilet to the left of the bar, though other rooms are only accessible via steps.

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I’m sure there are plenty more accessible venues in York city centre and beyond that my limited energy allowance hasn’t enabled me to explore yet, but I hope this post provides a helpful starting point for planning your next night out. If you have any recommendations of your own, please do share them in the comments section!

Where To Next?

8 responses

  1. I am visiting my daughter from Northern Ireland.. I have had both vacs. I am a full time wheelchair user. My daughter lives in England and we thought York would be nice for the weekend… But we haven’t booked dinner and drinks 22nd, 23rd… Can you offer us anything??

    1. Hi! I’m an individual so I can’t organise or book anything for you, but I hope some of the suggestions on this list are helpful and give you some ideas. Hope you have a lovely trip!

  2. Pippa, this post was a lifesaver today when I was trying to find somewhere to eat with a hangry child.
    Thank you

  3. Hi Pippa,
    First of all, you look gorgeous, second – I hope you didn’t do all of these in one night!!
    I’m tripping to York with 40 students from Hong Kong in the summer of 2024- this might well be the way to do it!!!!
    Thanks for the tip (or should I say tipple!)

  4. Thank you for this, I’m having my birthday Sunday and we need wheelchair accessible places so this helped a lot

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