December 1999, and when I visited it was sparkling, lively and
smelling of fresh paint and wood. All the barstaff were bright, happy and
efficient, working in York's latest place. I'll give them six months to become
the jaded, cynical, low paid, people-hating servants you meet in the Pitcher and
Piano, Richmond. The Pitcher and Piano, Newcastle, is nice though, with a view of
the river and bridge. Glasgow's not bad either, and I think I was in one in
Bristol too. In fact, in all these places it's only the view out the window
that's different. You can't argue the fact that it's all very nice, stylish and
New Labour, but why not choose to drink in somewhere with a bit of character?
