Pubs & Bars in the UK

Finding a good pub or bar in the UK

The pub is still the centre of most British towns, and the choice has never been wider: gastropubs where the food is the point, traditional locals with cask ale and a quiz, cocktail bars and late bars in the cities, sports pubs with every screen showing something, Irish bars, micropubs in old shops, craft beer taprooms, wine bars and café-bars that serve coffee at ten and gin at six. Knowing what you want makes finding it easy; the listings here are sorted so you can search by what a place is, not just where it is.

What makes a good one is mostly the people: a landlord who knows the regulars, staff who can recommend a beer, a kitchen that cooks rather than reheats. Beyond that, the practical things decide the evening — whether they take bookings for a table of ten, whether dogs and children are welcome and until when, whether there is a garden, a car park, step-free access, live music on a Friday, a quiz on a Tuesday, and which sports they show. Most pubs now list all of that, and their hours, and the good ones keep it current.

The listings here show each pub's reviews, what kind of place it is, opening hours and contact details, so you can see what is nearby, who does food and until when, who shows the sport, and where people in your town actually go.

Kinds of pub and bar

Gastropubs and dining pubs: proper kitchens, Sunday roasts, seasonal menus and a wine list, often with rooms; book for weekends.

Traditional locals: cask ale, a fire, a quiz night, darts or pool, and a landlord who knows everyone; the best have Cask Marque or CAMRA recognition for the beer.

Cocktail bars and late bars: table service, a drinks list, DJs or live music at weekends, and often a dress code and a door after ten.

Sports pubs: big screens, the football, rugby, boxing and racing packages, and a reservation system for the big games.

Everything else: Irish bars, micropubs and taprooms, wine bars, café-bars, country pubs with gardens and walks, and the family pub with a play area.

Before you go

• Check the opening hours and the kitchen hours; many pubs stop food well before they close, especially on a Sunday.
• Book for groups, for Sunday lunch, and for the big matches; most take bookings online or by phone.
• Ask about dogs and children — welcome, welcome until a certain time, or garden only — before you turn up with either.
• Check accessibility if it matters: step-free entry, an accessible toilet, and parking.
• For a party or a function, ask about a private room, a buffet, a minimum spend and whether they can do a bar tab.
• Read recent reviews for the food and the service, not the ones from three years ago.

What a night out costs

As a rough guide, a pint of lager or ale costs £4 to £5.50 in most of the country and £6 to £8 in London; a glass of wine £5 to £9; a cocktail £8 to £14 in a proper cocktail bar. Pub food runs from £12 to £18 for a main in a local to £16 to £28 in a gastropub, with a Sunday roast £16 to £24. Many pubs run deals on quiet nights — two-for-one burgers, curry and a pint, steak nights — and a loyalty scheme through an app.

Prices are on the menu online at most pubs now; if they are not, a quick call saves a surprise.