York CAMRA have been choosing a Pub of the Year since 1995. We start to choose this in autumn. Members on our email network are invited to nominate up to three York and three non-York (outside the outer ring road) pubs for the award. Any pub that sells real ale in the branch area can be nominated, except for last year’s winner. A standard, scored survey form is needed for each nomination. From all valid nominations, a shortlist of around six is compiled from those receiving the most nominations. Survey forms are then invited from the full membership over the winter. During this time, social opportunities are organised for all shortlisted pubs and members are encouraged to try them out. All valid survey forms are then collated in mid-February and the result declared in March.
In 2013 we also selected Bishopthorpe Sports and Social Club as our York CAMRA Club of the Year
The winners in previous years are shown below
| Year | Pub | Description |
| 2013 | Ferryboat Inn, Thorganby | Delightful country village pub |
| 2012 | Waggon & Horses, York | A must-visit pub with a great beer range |
| 2011 | Brigantes, York | Second win for this all-round excellent pub |
| 2010 | Ferry Boat Inn, Thorganby | Friendly, traditional, family-run pub |
| 2009 | Swan, York | Thriving, Grade II listed, community pub |
| 2008 | Brigantes, York | Smart bar with a good range of beers, both local and foreign |
| 2007 | Blue Bell, York | A hat trick of wins for this cosy, unspoilt gem |
| 2006 | St. Vincent Arms, Sutton on Derwent | Second win for this outstanding family-run free house |
| 2005 | Rook & Gaskill, York | Wide range of well-kept beers in this Castle Rock pub |
| 2004 | Golden Ball, York | Much more than a backstreet local |
| 2003 | Blue Bell, York | Second win for this ever-popular city centre pub |
| 2002 | St. Vincent Arms, Sutton on Derwent | Excellent, family-run village inn |
| 2001 | Ackhorne, York | Welcoming, lively free house |
| 2000 | Maltings, York | First pub to win the award for a second time |
| 1999 | Ferry Inn, Cawood | Splendid old inn, serving fine ales and food |
| 1998 | Station Hotel, Easingwold | Once the home of Easingwold Brewery, no longer operating as a pub |
| 1997 | Jolly Farmers, Leavening | Excellent country free house |
| 1996 | Maltings, York | Unique free house in the centre of town |
| 1995 | Blue Bell, York | Small pub with unspoilt interior dating back nearly a century |