A bar in York has scooped two national hospitality awards.

Stone Roses Bar in King Street received the honours at the Thwaites Hospitality Awards 2024, in a ceremony in Penrith on Sunday (November 10).

Some 140 businesses were in attendance on the night, which saw Stone Roses Bar walk away with the best innovation and pub of the year prizes.

For almost 20 years, Stone Roses has traded in York and played an active role in its nightlife.

The vinyl collection display inside the bar (Image: Harry Booth)

Speaking on what made the Indie Britpop themed bar receive national acclaim, Gregg Bray, owner and founder, said: "The innovation award is for constantly evolving and keeping up to pace with changing styles and music.

"The big one is pub of the year award, it's huge."

He said that the longstanding bar has been a family affair, co-owned by his wife Sharon, and managed by his son Joel.

Raleigh Choppers on display (Image: Harry Booth)

"We're independent, there's another one in Leeds which is similar to us but we're the original," Gregg added.

"We've got 19 staff at the moment, several managers. It's the team that won it for us, they're great."

Despite the 20 years of business, this award is a first for Stone Roses.

The pair of awards proudly displayed behind the bar (Image: Harry Booth)

Gregg added: "We've never really been nominated for anything before, we just build on our work year on year. Thwaites' awards are more geared towards hotels and food, there's never really been a category for us to fit into but they've adapted to incorporate places like us."

Inside Stone Roses is a variety of exhibit-style collections of art, paying homage to British artists and groups such as David Bowie, The Beatles, and the bar's namesake: The Stone Roses. Gregg credited the bar's visual appeal to Sheffield-based artist and friend, Paul Staveley.

"He's completely changed the dynamic here, its changed a lot and we're constantly improving," he said.

Tributes to David Bowie and Liam Gallagher (Image: Harry Booth)

Due to the popularity of the bar, the staff have to close its doors for two weeks every January to undergo maintenance. Greg said: "It's so busy here that if you don't keep on top of things here it falls apart."

Asked if he thought Stone Roses' unique approach made it a deserved winner, he added: "In my opinion, because I'm going to be biased, we're probably the best in the country at what we do.

"I'm probably as old as some of the parents of the students that come here. And it's those parents that'll be introducing them to Ian Brown and Oasis and stuff like that, I don't think it'll ever die."