I tried a few Hooting Owl gins at a charity event early in July and realised quickly that the West Yorkshire one was likely to become a firm favourite with the East Yorkshire, whilst very different, n... See more
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Review summary
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Went into the pub and loved the place, the staff were knowledgeable and talked enthusiastically about the rums, vodkas and gins distilled on site. They let us sample a couple of drinks and we were... See more
From start to finish the tour was just brilliant and so much fun. Tom is a great host, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the distillery and all it's products. We tasted so much quality gin and r... See more
Fab place, good food and great gins. The tour/gin tasting was a great experience, Tom our guide is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. The gins are all really good, some great flavours... See more
Company details
Written by the company
The Hooting Owl Distillery, based within the ancient city walls of York, we take inspiration and flavours from around the Yorkshire region to create a top-quality range of hand-crafted, small batch spirits. The company’s was founded at Barmby Moor House, once a famous public house and iconic coaching inn, is steeped in history spanning several centuries. Tired horses would be changed here after the gruelling journey from York over ‘The Black Moor’ and it’s reputed that a young Queen Victoria stayed at the house, the master bedroom still being known today as The Queen’s Room in her honour. Making good use of the extensive old stable building at Barmby Moor House, Hooting Owl is home to a fully equipped craft distillery, expertly distilling a range of traditional dry gins and other premium craft spirits combining a carefully researched and selected blend of botanicals. Inspired by the story of the house itself and by the geography, culinary heritage and abundant produce of Yorkshire, Hooting Owl also adds a hint of family and military history to the mix. The Story of Sir Owlfred The curious, whimsical story of The Hooting Owl Distillery and the legend of Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins, is as captivating and mysterious as the history of Barmby Moor House itself. When Dom acquired the old Yorkshire manor house at Barmby Moor in 2017, they embarked on an extensive restoration of the historic property. It was as the couple were refurbishing the old scullery that they stumbled across an intriguing, concealed floor safe which had belonged to a former resident of Barmby Moor House, Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins. Hiding within was a single bottle of Sir Owlfred’s Hooting Owl Signature Gin and an old book containing many of his secret recipes. Tied carefully to the book was a small diary of his development journey which he had titled ‘A Tour of Yorkshire’. The diary, embellished with drawings of his distillery, clearly showed it had been located in the stable buildings to the back of the house, buildings which still existed, albeit in a somewhat dilapidated state. This extraordinary discovery began a new, exciting chapter in the Hooting Owl story. Dom, as Sir Owlfred had done before them, set out on a journey which was to draw inspiration from all four corners of Yorkshire to lovingly distil a range of high quality artisan spirits in the very location it was thought to have begun in 1865. Today, the ethos of The Hooting Owl Distillery is heavily influenced by Yorkshire and is intrinsically woven with the story of Sir Olwlfed, the name Hooting Owl deriving from the prominent golden owl statue that takes pride of place above the entrance to the house – affectionately addressed as Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins.
Contact info
1 Rougier Street, YO1 6HZ, York, United Kingdom
- 01904 501911
- info@hootingowldistillery.co.uk
- hootingowl.co.uk
Brilliant tour and tasting
The tour was bought as a gift and we weren’t sure what to expect. Well, what can I say, as a party of six we had an absolutely brilliant afternoon! Mark, the tour guide was both amusing and informative, we learnt so much and when comparing various gins it was easy to see why this product was of a superior quality. Having tasted many different flavoured gins we chose our favourite to accompany the pizzas in the lounge bar before heading home with personalised gin glasses. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the tour and will certainly be back to the lounge bar to sample more when next in York.
3 April 2025
Unprompted review
Great customer service both online and…
Great customer service both online and in person, highly recommend them and their products.
26 March 2025
Fabulous Hooting owl York
From the staff to the decor everything about this place is amazing. If you are in York I would say this is a great place to visit and enjoy a libation or three 😍
28 March 2025
Unprompted review
unique bar and huge selection of gins
Hooting Owl Distillery York was an amazing bar, with unique and huge selection of gins to try. They also offer delicious food platters. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They able to guide me some of best choices on their menu
21 March 2025
Unprompted review
Great tasting Gins
Great tasting Gins, fast free delivery and very prompt. WE would highly recommend your Gin. For us that's brilliant customer service, thank you.
14 March 2025
quick delivery and LOVE the product
7 March 2025
A true gem in York
I recently visited the Hooting Owl for the first (and then second as I couldn't stay away) time on a weekend visit to York while on holiday from the US, and the entire experience could not have been lovelier. The gin tour and tasting was interesting, fun and delicious, and Tom was an excellent guide, highlighting the distillery's highest standards, fun quirks, and cool history.
The place is absolutely gorgeous and filled with unique touches that were clearly selected with care and passion. The bar is cozy enough for one with a book or to bring all your friends. The gin is wonderful and highly quaffable, the team excellent and welcoming, and the food perfection. I took home as many bottles as I could carry and look forward to returning for more.
The hooting owl has everything you need or want, including a great heart. Highly recommend!
17 February 2025
Bar staff very polite and informative
Bar staff very polite and informative. Helped with selections. Lovely place to sit and elax
30 January 2025
Awesome Distillery Tour
The Hooting Owl Distillery Tour was fantastic. Myself and my friend went on it yesterday afternoon. Tom, our guide was so passionate and knowledge, and great fun too. It was lovely that it was only a small group of 4, probably the ideal number of people, due to the compact and bijou size of the distillery itself. We had the added bonus that we got to try a gin that was commissioned by an hotel chain and not on general sale. Who knew you could use so many interesting flavours to gin. A couple really stuck out for me,but go on the tour and decide for yourself. Terrific value, and a wee surprise at the end.
24 January 2025
Unprompted review
Hooting Owl Gin Distillary Tour
What a great experience, informative tour of the distillery, a drink before, tasters of 6 gins and a rum, a drink after and a souvenir gin glass...all for £25!
Huge thanks to Tom who made it so interesting x
20 January 2025
Unprompted review
Fantastic venue
Fantastic venue . I’ve been many times and every time it’s been relaxed, friendly and enjoyable. I highly recommend this place as a classy but relaxed place to enjoy a drink.
31 December 2024
Don’t make a special journey
Don’t make a special journey to this establishment mid week without checking first. We walked passed on our way for dinner and decided to come back for post dinner drinks. Arrived at 9.30 pm and 3 staff sitting at the bar doors locked. As the sign on the door said opening hours until 11pm. I knocked and asked if they were closed - they nodded. This establishment is not as welcoming as they would have you believe.
13 January 2025
Unprompted review
Great product
Had a fantastic tasting experience in December so had to buy some Gin to remind us. Back in York for our annual stay later in the year and Hooting Owl will now be on our must visit list
31 December 2024
Signature Gin a real Hoot!!
Had a bottle of this gifted at Christmas. This is a serious Gin from a distillery which is the talk of the town. The Signature Gin is a real Gem and needless to say we purchased another bottle to see us through a wintry January weekend!!
3 January 2025
Unprompted review
Great fun staff
Great fun staff, Easy atmosphere, LOVE THE DECOR and attention to detail. Food okay. Just really like the vibe.
4 December 2024
Unprompted review
Great little pub in York
Great little pub in York! Running a raffle for various charities, with a amazing prize of a Harley Davisson motorbike.
27 November 2024
Quick efficient service
Quick efficient service, kept me informed about my order, order well packaged
25 November 2024
Great service regarding our order for…
Great service regarding our order for personalized rum bottle for Xmas gift
11 November 2024
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