Occasions & Groups
Celebrations & Group Dining in York
Birthdays, anniversaries, date nights and get-togethers — done properly. A characterful city-centre setting, bloody-good beef and a team who'll make a fuss of your table so you don't have to.
Got something worth marking? The Whippet Inn is a special-occasion restaurant in the heart of York city centre — a Grade II listed building with high ceilings, exposed brick, moody colours and a heated courtyard out the back. Whatever you're celebrating, we've the room, the menu and the theatre to make a proper night of it.
We opened in 2014 to do things a little differently to the high-street chains: a grown-up escape with a menagerie of quirky trinkets, a drinks list our team genuinely geek out over, and beef worth crossing the city for. Escape the ordinary.
Birthdays
Big birthday, milestone or just an excuse for a good feed — bring the gang and let us look after the details. Order straight off our seasonal à la carte, add a round of cocktails, and we'll sort the rest. Fancy sizzling steak as the centrepiece? Meet the beef →.
Anniversaries & date nights
For the two of you, or a table of close ones: candlelight, unhurried service and a wine list a sommelier's actually thought about. It's the kind of grown-up, against-the-ordinary setting that makes a date night in York feel like an event — not just dinner.
Group bookings
From an intimate table to a whole-venue takeover, we host groups of every size. Parties of more than 10 are best booked by phone so we can talk menus, timings and layout — and for larger gatherings we'll happily put together bespoke canapés and buffets. Planning something more formal or exclusive? Have a look at our private dining spaces → or browse the full food menu → to plan your table.
An adults-only setting
The Whippet is an adults-only escape — 14 years and above only (well-behaved dogs excepted). No high-chairs, no screaming kids mid-toast: just a calm, characterful room for grown-ups to relax and savour the occasion. It's what makes us a genuinely different place to celebrate in York. More on the vibe over on Just for grown ups →.
The details
Here's everything worth knowing before you book a celebration or group table with us — group sizes, service charge and our house policies:
Ready to celebrate?
Tell us what you're marking and we'll make it happen. Book online for smaller tables, or call for groups over 10 — and keep an eye on our festive celebrations → when the season rolls round.
Book a table → or get in touch → with your plans.
Good to Know
The House Rules
A few honest house rules so there are no surprises on the night. Nothing stuffy — just the things worth knowing before you book.
Adults only (14+)
We're an over-14s only escape — unless they have four legs and a tail.
Nothing kills the mood quite like screaming kids while you're trying to relax and savour a great night out, so we keep things to 14 years and above. Dogs are the one exception — they're welcome regardless of age.
Dogs
Four-legged friends are welcome in the bar and garden terrace — call ahead on +44 (0)1904 500660 so we can save you the space.
We love a well-behaved hound. Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the garden terrace (not the main restaurant), but space is limited — give us a ring on +44 (0)1904 500660 before you set off so we can make room.
Dress code
Nothing strict — but no fancy dress, sports tops, combat gear, tracksuits, or anything that glows.
Come as you are; we're not precious about it. We just draw the line at fancy dress, sports tops, combat gear, tracksuits, or anything that glows.
Walk-ins
If there's space, we'll 'av ya — but booking is recommended.
Walk-ins are always welcome when we've got a table free. We can get busy, though, so booking ahead is the safest bet for the night you want.
Groups over 10
Tables for more than 10? Give us a call on +44 (0)1904 500660.
For parties of more than ten we'll sort the details by phone so we get your night spot-on — call us on +44 (0)1904 500660.
Reschedules
Need to move your booking? Email us at least 72 hours ahead, or it's treated as a cancellation.
Plans change — we get it. Let us know by email at least 72 hours before your reservation and we'll happily move it. Inside 72 hours it's too late to fill the table, so it's treated as a cancellation.
Service charge
A discretionary 12.5% service charge is added to the bill — removable on request.
A discretionary 12.5% service charge is added automatically and shared with the team who looked after you. It's entirely your call — just ask and we'll take it off, no awkwardness.
Kind Words
What Our Guests Say
“My god, I've not eaten a steak like that ever in my life. It was so juicy, flavoursome and just down right sexy, I could have almost left my partner for the steak!”Sarah Rothwell, Visitor, Brighton
“We meet for a girlie lunch where we all travelled from around the UK via York station... the cocktails, English bubbles and the mains and puddings were all just divine.”Tanya Johnson, Visitor, York
“Now I love steak, but I love fish even more... Thank goodness for our server who navigated me through the menu and our wine selection so I didn't have an ounce of food envy. Total winner.”Jo Pratt, Visitor, London
“We booked the private dining space for my mother in-law's 70th Birthday. Nothing was too much trouble and the food, wine and service were exceptional... scored me some massive son-in-law points!”Jon Davis, Visitor, Gloucester