Eating & Drinking, York

Not too-well known amongst the locals, and I don't think too well-known with tourists either, are jazz nights at the Black Swan. A very intimate venue with a live jazz band and plenty of audience interaction - ideal for the jazz-lover! The Black Swan itself is a pub dating back to the 1500s-1600s. Grab a drink at the bar, and head up the authentically uneven stairs leading up to the tiny room where the jazz is performed! The band is friendly, and in the second hour, after the intermission, audience participation is invited! Jazz is Wednesday and Sunday nights, and they have folk nights as well, on Tuesday and possibly another night as well. Admission is free, although an optional donation is collected at intermission, usually through the sale of raffle tickets for a small raffle prize draw. Jazz starts at 9, but arrive early to be sure of a seat, as it does sometimes get very full, resulting in audience crowding into the corridor outside! Song requests are taken too. The Black Swan is on Peasholme Green, on the edge of the city centre (but still very much within walking distance!)