I recently discovered a hidden gem that has completely blown my mind, Barker Tower Dungeons more commonly known as Perky Peacock Café-Bar! This cozy little spot is nested at the end of Lendal Bridge, overlooking the River Ouse.
What makes this coffee shop truly unique is its history, the dungeon was originally built over 700 years ago to control river traffic entering the city.
But don’t let that scare you away, the space has been tastefully renovated and transformed into a charming, dog-friendly cafe.
The coffee shop is small, with just six tables downstairs and the main coffee bar located upstairs.
But don’t let the limited seating discourage you as takeaway is still available.
History of the Barkers Tower?
The Barker Tower, also known as the North West Tower, is a historic tower located in York, England.
It was built in the 14th century as part of the city’s medieval walls, which were constructed to protect the city from invasion.
Named after John Barker, a wealthy merchant who owned a nearby mansion. During the English Civil War in the 17th century, the tower was used as a prison for Royalist soldiers.
In the 19th century, it was used as a museum. Today, the Barker Tower is a popular tourist attraction and Café-Bar called Perky Peacock.
My Experience at Perky Peacock Café-Bar
I highly recommend getting there early due to the limited seating available.
When I arrived at 11:30, the cafe was relatively quiet, and I was greeted by a sign directing me to order upstairs at the counter.
One thing to note is that the cafe does not offer disabled access to either the upstairs or downstairs areas, which can make it difficult for elderly or disabled visitors to access the cafe-bar.
Upon entering the cafe, I was greeted by a friendly waitress who made me feel very welcome.
However, the small circular room had three tables and a large serving counter, which made me uncomfortably claustrophobic.
I ordered a caramel latte and a pot of tea for my partner, which came to £5.75. Compared to other coffee shops in the area I found it to be reasonably priced.
While I initially wanted to sit inside the cafe, I noticed that the three available tables were already occupied.
However, the waitress informed me that there were additional tables available downstairs and offered to bring our drinks down to us.
The downstairs or otherwise known as the dungeons had 6 small tables furnished with victorian style furniture which matched the theme of the building. They style of the seating area made you feel at home with a warm atmosphere.
After waiting for a considerable amount of time, the drinks finally arrived, but it seemed like a burden for the waitress to bring them downstairs.
It’s unclear whether this was due to understaffing or because there were people waiting upstairs.
However, my drink was served without sugar, and I felt uneasy about asking for it.
As more customers arrived, I observed that others were also facing similar issues.
For instance, a couple seated next to us had to shout to get the attention of the waitress and ask for some sauce for their sandwich.
It appeared that the customer service standards were not being met once you stepped out of the upstairs room.
Although my coffee was served without sugar, it was still delicious and beautifully presented with a love heart design.
In my opinion, this family-owned coffee house is an excellent spot for tourists to warm up, especially considering its scenic river view.
The Perky Peacock York Opening Hours
| Days | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon – Fri | 8:00am – 4:00pm |
| Sat – Sun | 9:00am – 4:00pm |
Things You Need to Know?
- Address: The Perkey Peacock, Barker Tower, North Street Below Lendal Bridge, YO1 6BE, York
- Contact: 07780 616381
- Dog Friendly: Yes
- Disable access: No, there are steps leading to the upstairs and downstairs rooms. Outside tables are available but not table service.
- Vegan Friendly: Yes, they serve a range of vegan treats.
- Here is their official website perkypeacock.co.uk
Parking Nearest to Perky Peacock Cafe?
In my opinion, the best and most convenient car parking options for the Perky Peacock Cafe Bar are the Esplanade Car Park and the York Railway Station Car Park.
The Esplanade Car Park is the closest to the cafe and offers direct access with just a 5-minute walk along the River Ouse. However, it is also one of the more expensive parking options, charging £2.60 per hour.
The York Railway Station Car Park is a more popular choice among visitors due to its well-known location, but it also comes at a cost of £3.00 per hour.
Nonetheless, it is still just a 5-minute walk away from the Perky Peacock Cafe Bar.
Can You book a Table?
No, they don’t offer table reservations.
As the building is quite small and has limited seating, the owner prefers to maintain a steady flow of customers by operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
Perky Peacock Menu Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
I purchased a caramel latte and a pot of tea for one, which amounted to a total cost of £5.75.
Perky Peacock official website displayed a menu without any pricing information.
However, during my visit, I was provided with a laminated sheet that contained all the latest prices.
TO EAT Perky Peacock Menu Prices
| Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bowl of Scottish Porridge Oats – with cinnamon, honey, raisins | £4.50 |
| Naomi’s Cheesy Beans on Toast – Baked beans in tomato sauce served over hot toast with grilled cheese topping | £4.50 |
| Bacon Butty – Grilled bacon slices in soft white bread | £6.50 |
| Sausage Butty – Grilled Cumberland sausages in soft white bread | £6.00 |
| Bacon and Sausage Butty – Grilled Cumberland sausage and bacon in soft white bread | £6.25 |
| Country Pate – Served with hot buttered toast and cornichons | £6.00 |
| Mug of Soup – Please ask for today’s selection, served with bread and butter | £4.75 |
| Smoked Salmon Bagel – Layered with cream cheese and cucumber slices | £7.00 |
| Ciabatta with Ham, Cheddar Cheese, and Branston Pickle | £6.25 |
| Warm Pitta Bread with Hummus, Sundried Tomatoes, and Olives | £6.75 |
TO DRINK Perky Peacock Menu Prices
| Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Americano | £2.90 |
| Cappuccino | £3.25 |
| Flat White | £3.00 |
| Latte | £3.25 |
| Espresso | £2.75 |
| Long Black | £2.80 |
| Mocha | £4.00 |
| Piccolo | £2.85 |
| Double Macchiato | £2.80 |
| Chai Latte | £3.75 |
| Dirty Chai Latte | £4.00 |
| Yorkshire Tea | £2.50 |
| Selection of Decaffeinated and Herbal Teas | £2.75 |
| Callebaut Hot Chocolate with Cream and Marshmallows | £4.00 |
| Iced Drinks | £4.35 |
| Add Decaf | +£0.40 |
| Extra Shot/Syrup/Non-dairy milks | +£0.80 |
Do Perky Peacock Serve Alcohol?
A sign on the Lendal Bridge confirms that the cafe has a full license to serve alcoholic beverages.
They offer an assortment of wines and cocktails, with their signature drink being the Espresso Martian.
Although we did not sample any of the cocktails during our visit, we plan on returning in the summer to enjoy a refreshing cocktail by the riverside.
Conclusion
Perky Peacock coffee shop is a charming and cozy spot that offers great coffee to enjoy in or takeaway. The Victorian-style decor and furniture in the downstairs area adds to the unique building and overall experience.
However, the lack of customer service standards was disappointing. Waiting for drinks and having to ask for basic items like sugar or sauce detracted from the otherwise enjoyable experience.
I also recently went to Panda Mami restaurant in York, and I had a pleasant time. If you’re seeking a simple dining experience, you might want to check out my thoughts on this place in my Panda Mami review.
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