The Duke of York Inn in Exeter

I have read and heard mixed things about this place so thought I’d try it for myself. It’s been nearly 8 years since I visited this place but WOW what a difference. Newly refurbished in 2024 new management and if I’m honest new pub. Gone are the sleazy look’s dodgy deals and scary atmosphere. I’ve now been in several times since Christmas 2024 and always a warm welcome from the staff. Maria & Kirsty the new management have turned this place around 100% it’s now a well run safe place to go. No food but they don’t mind you having your own with one of their drinks of course. It feels like a traditional family pub should be. I was in last week and met Maria for the first time what a sweet landlady she is no nonsense take her as you find. She was working with her father-in-law and he made us so welcome a great asset to this place nice to see a family working together. I have seen the place very quiet and very busy the staff are always polite yet firm with impatient customers. Lots of students and of course locals a real mix of Exeter people. Great to see they have free pool on a Wednesday , a student discount every day and karaoke on Sunday. one night I heard the Landlady sing she was brilliant. I love watching how much the staff interact with each other and customers it’s nice to see customers shout the staff by name when they start and end a shift. All I can say is keep it up I’ll be back more often from now on. Thank you James

Waited for half an hour not to be served… Barman (ponytail large) beyond rude when I dared asked to be served telling me he had changed a barrell (and…!) and there was another bar I could of gone to… I had tried.. customers weren’t being served at that bar either… nicely said you need more staff again he said NO I was changing a barrell… obviously it’s a thing to be impressed by ! Left without buying a drink… Beyond poor.. Don’t mind staff being busy but rude is another matter… He is not good for your business !!

A little disappointed after reading some rave reviews! I rang to book a table for 2 for new years eve 2024 lunchtime. I was told the only availability was a table in the restaurant so accepted. The restaurant was a doorway through the main bar and the table was positioned right by the entrance to said room. There was a lovely roaring fire in the room but unfortunately a table for four was positioned directly in front of it( and I really don't know how they could sit so close and not be toast!) There was a table vacant further into the room under a window,maybe it was reserved but no one arrived by the time we left,which they could have moved us to? We waited a while for our order to be taken,their renowned steak and kidney pudding was unavailable ,waitress came back later to inform us,so we ordered two steak meals, Nearly an hour later it arrived, no apoligy for the wait,my steak was very grizzly. In the meantime I had mentioned to the barman( may have been the owner) that there was a terrible draught coming through and he said he couldn't do anything about the door in the bar being opened. The menu was very basic pub grub,not what I expected from the pictures on website and specials board was uninspiring. I know I paid and didn't complain at the time,but having thought about it I'm putting this review in. We didn't stay for deserts, wanted to leave and get warm. The bill was nearly £65 for 2 meals and 2 soft drinks, one drink would have been enough had the service been more prompt.

This is a very good, friendly inner city pub with a nice range of well kept beers It has an atmosphere that makes you feel relaxed and certainly with the intention of returning again and again It has to be said that unlike far too many other British pubs the loo's are excellent I can certainly recommend the Duke of York

If they don't like your face, they'll throw you out!! Very much you're here for us, not t'other way around. Locals are ace mind!

Hungry after watching the Football at Exeter City Went in for a pint and a bowl of chips Sadly the chips were a bit burnt 🥵

Utter dog house in my opinion staff rude people in the place are either students or alcoholics who tell lies and try to rip people off quite sad really I could name a few but that would be wrong I’d just avoid the place tbh

One of the few proper pubs left in Exeter where you can get A decent pint of Cider No frills no nonsense kind of pub Cheap as chips.

Went for the cheesey cottage pie wish I hadn’t as it was very runny and had hardly any meat Good pub but not so good food.

Fantastic Night at the Duke Cheap beer and Good company Shame had to shut at 10 but it was good night Busy pub and very well run

Perdí la cuenta de cuántas veces escuché al portero gritar "ES LA LEY" a un cliente. No permitiría que dos amigos se unieran a otros dos amigos en una mesa, gritándoles "ES LA LEY" (en realidad, no es la ley). Exigió que dos clientes que entraron juntos se registraran y cuando uno de los dos le dijo que había firmado tanto por él como por su amigo y que su amigo tenía una discapacidad visual, el portero gritó, sí, lo has adivinado ". ES LA LEY "(de nuevo, no lo es). La casera deambulaba sin rumbo fijo al igual que un tipo que decía ser el Gerente de Área de Craft Union, pero ambos dejaron que el gorila agresivo gritara y gritara a los clientes a voluntad. Soy un visitante poco frecuente de este pub ya que la elección y la calidad de su cerveza es bastante horrible (Doom Bar) pero dudo que vuelva a entrar; realmente no necesito que alguien les grite a los clientes cuando trato de charlar con amigos. Craft Union: controle a este tipo, por favor, ES LA LEY (en realidad no lo es, pero eso no parece ser relevante en este pub). Ah, ¿y por qué el pub solo tiene una sidra de barril (¿no Devon Red?) Y no una cerveza de barril. Vamos chicos, están muy atrasados.

Nice pint 🍺 good atmosphere went in for a swift pint before watching Exeter City cheap and good Very clean and friendly and busy

Whilst their beer was (in my opinion) the best in UK (well it was Doom Bar after all!) and the bar snacks were OK, the pub was a bit too noisy for my own particular liking. The Duke is, however, ideal for large groups of people - e.g. those having watched the Exeter Chiefs or wanting to watch something on Sports TV with a crowd of friends.

Cuando Sidwell Street era un lugar próspero, solía ser un gran pub del Russell's, ahora es un lugar descuidado con una clientela que refleja el lugar. Está bien para una pinta rápida pero no querría pasar una noche allí.