It is one of 14 York pubs in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and has been named York’s Pub of the Year more than once.
But now the Brigantes has confirmed that it has closed for good.
The Micklegate real ale house, owned by Yorkshire pub group Market Town Taverns, will not reopen when pubs and bars are allowed to do so by the government.
Rumours started circulating over the weekend that the Brigantes wasn’t coming back.
And tonight the news was confirmed by the pub itself on Twitter, saying: “I’m afraid it’s true, totally gutted especially for all our staff and our customers but we will not be reopening.
“Very sad times and don’t even get to have a proper goodbye.”
Real ale haven
Serving ten cask ales, the Brigantes was popular with real ale fans.
It also had a great reputation for its home-cooked food, and as a community hub. It raised money for York Mind among other good causes.
The Good Beer Guide 2020 said: “A bright, roomy and welcoming real ale haven just inside the city walls.”
It shut on March 20 owing to the lockdown. But the news it would not reopen came as a shock to the staff at the Brigantes, who as recently as 8 April shared a post on Facebook saying: “We’ve had some incredible beers and we can’t wait to get back doing what we do best!”
Regulars reacted with dismay to its demise. One said: “That’s a humongous massive shame.”
And another wrote: “Really sorry to hear this. You won’t be the last I fear. Sad times indeed.”
Meanwhile Shaun Collinge of The Maltings wondered whether city brewery Brew York might be up for a takeover: