Inside York’s new indy bar – The Middle Bar & Bottle Shop

YORK’S newest bar has opened and its owner says it’s a dream come true.

John Sunman has opened the intriguingly named The Middle Bar & Bottle Shop in York.

The name comes from literally being sandwiched between two other shops in Fulford Road – Sunny’s cafe and Hot Box which sells wood-burning stoves.

John also own Sunny’s and the plan is for the two businesses to work together so customers can enjoy food with a drink or two.

The bar and bottle shop is a long-held dream for John who used to work at York’s popular Gillygate pub.

Some of the beers for sale in The Middle’s bottle shop. Photo – NQ

He said: “I’ve worked in pubs for about 15 to 20 years and it was always a dream of mine to open my own place.”

The Middle has outside seating to the front as well as bar-stools and counters inside. A snug area at the back is also being planned. There is also a bottle shop at the rear of the bar area selling a range of interesting beers and a fridge is coming soon that will stock wine.

At the bar, there are six keg lines with a range of drinks, with several from local brewers Trig at Poppleton. Opening lines include the fruity mango and passionfruit Pelago; the Australian IPA Antipode, and Faff Clan, a chocolate and vanilla stout.

Look out too for Wayfarer, Trig’s hazy New Zealand pale ale, and Mesa, a gluten-free Pilsner.

There is also a hand-pulled cask, currently serving Trig Brewery’s Scarth, a pale ale at 4.4 per cent abv.

Working alongside John at the bar is Ryan Burnett, formerly of Trembling Madness in York.

A small range of spirits and wine is also on sale.

There is a plan also to have a small food menu, serving charcuterie boards, in the near future.

Ryan Burnett behind the bar at York’s newest bar – The Middle in Fulford Road, Photo – NQ

John is also keen to hear from local food businesses that may be interested in hosting pop-up events.

He said: “I’d really like to do kitchen pop-ups with street food suppliers.”

Interested collaborators can contact John via Instagram (@themiddlebarandshop) or via email at hello@sunnyscafeyork.co.uk.

He added that he hoped The Middle would become a much-loved hub for the whole community.

Menu at The Middle in Fulford Road. Photo – NQ

“It’s for everyone. There are 400 students across the road, then we have people living in the area, local offices, the police and barracks – we’d love for it to be a real community hub.”

He added the bar and Sunny’s can also travel: “We can run an outside bar and offer catering for private events, so The Middle can come to you!”

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John took over Sunny’s in 2021 (it had previously been Field’s Fayre cafe). He used to also run the cafe at Cycle Heaven, just round the corner, off Hospital Field’s Road.

Also on his CV was a spell managing the sports club at Wilberfoss, the village just outside York, where he grew up.

Earlier this year when the chance came to take on the premises next to Sunny’s, he decided to take the plunge and realise his long-held dream to open his own bar.

The Middle, next to Sunny’s in Fulford Road. Photo – NQ

He said: “For now, people can grab a sandwich or toastie from Sunny’s then come and have a beer here!”

The Middle Bar & Bottle shop will be open every day (except Tuesdays until further notice). Trading hours are Sunday to Thursday (not Tuesday at the moment) from noon to 8pm and Friday and Saturday from noon to 9pm.