Season: 2016 Team Cup group stage

Phoenix

phoenixDating back to the late eighteenth century, the Phoenix has been through many iterations and a couple of names, though these days takes a slightly more politically correct name from the name of the glassworks formerly occupying the adjacent site. Independently owned and run, the regular Jazz events and open fire contribute to a friendly atmosphere.

Team captain Ben hails from the grid system of Milton Keynes and discovered Bar Billiards while living in Cambridge. He’s always eager to offer restaurant recommendations or talk about motorsport in exhaustive and tedious detail.

Special mention must go to the late Tim Everton, who deserves credit for turning the Phoenix into a pub valued by so many people:
http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/jun/27/tim-everton-obituary

Knavesmire

knavesmireBeloved of racegoers, The Knavesmire sits in the heart of South Bank near the racecourse from which it takes its name. Having been through a few management changes in recent years it’s now under the guidance of Stu Weston, who has a strong history of running pubs that are appreciated and used by local communities, including the Cross Keys and the Fox in Holgate.

Bar Billiards captains in York seem unable to own average size dogs. Accompanied by a large alsatian and boundless enthusiasm, Stu’s team walked away with the Summer 2014 league title in style.

Golden Ball

goldenballThe Golden Ball inaugurated the league with the Phoenix back in 2013. The team is run by Mike Shallcross, and the pub is managed by the wonderful Beth Maguire, on behalf of the Golden Ball Co-op. That’s right – The Golden Ball is York’s first Co-operative Pub, which means the lease is owned by the people who drink in the pub, and all profits go back into the community.

It’s a Grade II listed pub with a well-preserved Victorian layout, and a lovely tiled bar with seven hand-pulled cask ales on at all times. The pub focuses on top quality beer, from local breweries wherever possible, and great live music – come down on a Sunday night for the legendary folk sessions. The Golden Ball is at the heart of Bishophill in every sense.

Fulford Arms

fulfordarmsA popular live music venue offering superb pizzas and burgers, the Fulford also has three bar billiards tables. The pub is run by Chris Sherington, who has made his mark as a billiards-enthused all-round nice chap.

Feel free to ask him about his Sinclair C5(s) or range of board games, and watch out for the pub’s resident evil genius Moriarty, who can often be found stalking the players.