Last Drop Inn and The White Bear are York Camra’s top pubs

The move is to better reflect the wide range of pubs in both the city and the vast, rural area the 1,100-member branch covers.

The City Winner is the Last Drop Inn in Colliergate and the White Bear in Stillington is the Country Pub of the Year, beating around 450 others in York Camra’s patch

Branch chairman Chris Tregellis told the Press: “For a modestly sized pub in a modestly sized village the White Bear certainly punches well above its weight.

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“The regular beers are consistently excellent but it’s the commitment to frequently changing guest beers which takes this up a notch and makes every visit a treat.

“The commitment to the autovac system ensures that every pint emerges fresh and sparkling. The food in the restaurant bar is also something not to miss.” 

The White Bear is currently on the market but since 1995 has been run by Phil and Sue Robinson. The pub has won the seasonal award three times but this is their first annual success.

York Camra’s Chris Tregellis outside the White Bear in Stillington (Image: Pic supplied)

Chris added of the couple: “They have never put a foot wrong. A worthy winner.”

The presentation evening will be Friday May 1.

The Last Drop Inn in Colliergate was once owned by the York Brewery, then the Black Sheep brewery, and now Paul Kemp, and is going on from “strength to strength.”

Like the Robinsons, Paul has also placed  his pub on the market, but York Camra says “as with the White Bear, the Last Drop stands out because of quality and choice.”

Paul Kemp of the Last Drop Inn (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Chris continued: “There is always something new to try. Sitting in the front bar is a great place to watch the envious glances of tourists and locals as they pass down Colliergate.”

The Last Drop will be celebrating during its presentation night on Friday April 17.

Paul Kemp who took over the pub in 2023 says he is “absolutely made up” to be an annual winner.

He told the Press: “When we started this project, this award was one of the things we wanted to achieve.”

The pub has been a seasonal winner, it got listed in the Good Pub Guide and this latest award sees it competing regionally.

Paul has been praised for bringing the pub back ‘from the dead’, which he credits on traditional pub values of well-maintained beers, rotating guest beers, and recognisable permanent beers in a friendly and pleasant environment.

“Now it’s about staying there and trying to repeat it,” he said.

And to any potential buyer, Paul added this latest award “shows the potential of gaining a real ale flagship in the centre of York.”

Phil Robinson told the Press he is “ectatic, overwhelmed” to win after 30 years at the White Bear and 40 years in the trade.

Sue and Phil Robinson of the White Bear with Chris Tregellis at an earlier York Camra presentation (Image: Pic supplied)

Phil thanks their wonderful staff and customers for their support, adding he is doing his bit to keep traditional pubs going, which he says are disappearing.

Phil continued: “We support the community in return through sponsorships to the local football, cricket, squash and bowls teams. Other local charities get our support through our monthly charity qub quizzes (last Sunday of the month).

“We offer some great beer, with 5 casks, including our own White Bear Bitter (a 4% traditional ale lovingly brewed by Craig at Rudgate Brewery), Leeds Pale Ale from Kirkstall Brewery and three rotating guest beers from different local breweries; always including a stout, porter, or mild.”

Phil added: “To complement our beer we serve home cooked seasonal food prepared by my wonderful wife Sue and chef Dan.

“We hope this award will bring more business not just to The White Bear but to the village as a whole as we all need support to keep going in these testing times.”

York Camra will officially be announcing its other 2026 award winners later.