Spark:York

At the intersection of Piccadilly and Dennis Street, you’ll find a load of piled-up shipping containers covered in street art and known as Spark:York – what’s going on? Welcome to the latest exciting destination space in York, a venue space and hip area hosting a range of exciting food places, drink places, and events. It’s the brainchild of local entrepreneurs Sam Leech and Tom McKenzie.

Inside you’ll find a host of small local businesses, all offering the visitor something unique. Mike Brand’s Clucking Oinks serves up buttermilk fried chicken burgers and wings based on a secret recipe. Sloppy’s, owned by Leon Sledmore, serves up locally sourced beef burgers and proper chips. Tricolor meanwhile offers Colombian street food – lots of little pastries and speciality meats.

Then there’s Shori, an Asian Fusion noodle bar serving in ramen soups and Bao buns. Drink-wise, The Bohemian – York’s smallest piano bar – focuses on gins and wines, while Piccadilly Tap has no less than ten craft beers on keg lines plus any number of fancy cans.

Spark also plays host to a range of events, from Babes in Arms for new parents, to Quingo – a combined quiz and bingo session. There are arts and crafts events to suit all comers and tastes. Coming soon are vintage fashion and record stalls.

Nearby, you’ll find the fascinating York Castle Museum, with its terrifying jail experience and Victorian street, or the more genteel attractions of Fairfax House Townhouse Museum with its collection of furniture, paintings and clocks. Combine the lot for a day trip in York that won’t wear out the soles of your shoes, but will treat your senses to some of York’s most exciting locations.