My friends often ask for recommendations of pubs in York so I put together a small list here of the places I go which have good beer and would recommend.
The Swan and The Slip Inn, Bishopthorpe Road - my favourite locals, both run by the same team
The Maltings, Tanners Moat - always a varied range of cask and keg beer (cash only)
House of Trembling Madness, Lendal - there are two venues for this company, Lendal is the bigger one with three floors of seating, food served and a massive bottle shop in the cellar. The original premises on Stonegate also has food and bottle shop. Both buildings are decorated with flair.
Pivni - the original pub of the Pivovar pub company, a good range of cask, keg and bottled beer. Three floors in an interesting old building.
The Hop, Fossgate - huge old market building, owned by Ossett brewery. Good range of cask and keg, offers pizza from proper ovens.
Waggon and Horses, Lawrence Street - a bit of a walk, but a good beer garden and some good cask beer. I think it does food
Rook and Gaskill, Lawrence Street - opposite the Waggon, recently refurbished to add 20 keg pumps, many local Camra awards, food offerings are good stone baked pizzas, burgers, mexican
Brew York Brewery Tap and Beer Hall, Walmgate - only a few years old but this brewery has a huge range of their own brews on cask and keg downstairs, and recently opened a beer hall upstairs with food and 50 keg pumps (not to be confused with York Brewery)
The Fox, Holgate Road - another local pub, big beer garden and a good range of guest cask beer.
York Tap, Train Station - the station bar, owned by the same people as Euston, Sheffield, Newcastle taps etc. and Pivni. Lots of cask and keg beer, they also offer take-out for the train home!
Brigantes, Micklegate - a good range of cask and keg, and good pub grub too. I go here often
Outliers - good pubs, but not in my top 10:
Brewdog, Micklegate - it's a brewdog, the Wetherspoons of expensive craft beer. pizza
Artful Dodger, Micklegate - cask ales, rock music, late licence
Blue Bell, Walmgate - cosy pub, only go here in small groups or you won't be welcome
Angel on the Green, Bishopthorpe Road - does food (but you might need to book), good ales
Eagle and Child, High Petergate - quite expensive, but often a decent range, good beer garden and plenty nooks and crannys indoors. food
Pavement Vaults, Picadilly - good food, they have a smoker, and decent cask/keg range. (same owners as Pivni and York Tap)
Pubs which other people might like, but I don't
Micklegate Social, Micklegate and Fossgate Social, Fossgate - 2/3 pint schooners of craft ale and cocktails
The Old White Swan and Cross Keys Goodramgate - big Nicholsons pubs, open late, real ales and food
Sotano, Stonegate - cellar bar, does keg and cocktails (and food maybe). Might be a good late night haunt
Micklegate 127 - somewhere to watch football, lots of tvs and cheap real ale