Amber House is off Bootham (it's close to the football ground, by the way, so it's worth checking if York City are playing at home when you're staying).

It's probably about 15 minutes walk out of the city centre, which is essentially one great big group of olde worlde pubs close together.

Try this:

Coming out of Bootham Crescent, turn left onto Bootham and cross the road. Walk until you find a circular tower by a side-road (Marygate). Turn right up the side road and visit the Minster Inn. Coming out of the Minster Inn, retrace your steps up the road back to Bootham, cross back over the road and continue walking into town. You will soon arrive at the gate of the city walls - cross the junction and proceed through the big gateway (Bootham Bar). On your right you will find the Three-Legged Mare (aka the Wonky Donkey). Emerging, continue up this road (High Petergate) until you emerge at the Minster. Walk right around the minster (bearing right of it) until you come to Goodramgate, turning off to your right past Boyes. Walk up Goodramgate to the Old White Swan. From the Old White Swan (AKA the Mucky Duck), turn left by Boots and walk along the edge of King's Square, where you will find the Last Drop Inn just where it becomes Colliergate, opposite Tulliver's wholefood shop. Continue up Colliergate into Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, then cross the main road and proceed into Fossgate, to see if there's room for two more in the Blue Bell on the right hand side.

Finally, come out of Fossgate again, turning right onto Stonebow. Follow the road (it looks unpromising but stick with it) past Stonebow House, a large, grey concrete monstrosity, then past the Hungate archaeological dig, past the red-brick homeless shelter and finally to the lovely half-timbered Black Swan.

Get a taxi home :)

Can I just add to Brickie's excellent route:

The Guy Fawkes at 25 High Petergate by the Minister inbetween the Three Legged Mare and the Swan.

Excellent post brickie, York pubs are probably my favourite talking point!

However, I would disagree with having the two YORK BREWERY pubs on a list of 'must see' establishments, one at a push, but both are much of a muchness and despite selling excellent beer both lack a bit of character IMHO.

May I suggest the new(ish) but lovely PIVO, http://www.pivocafebar.co.uk/index.html which has a fantastic range of beers and snacks. Also, Ye Old Starre Inne must be visited as it claims to be the 'oldest pub in York' although I think a few play on this title and substitie 'oldest licensed premises in York etc'. The Golden Slipper, Snickleways Inn and the Golden Fleece are all well worthy of a visit and the latter escpecially, is steeped in history and ghostly goigns on!