South Cornwall
A popular late-night bar set into an old townhouse just a short walk from the cathedral. It looks small from the outside, but opens out Tardis-style into…
Must-see nightlife in The United Kingdom
Wiltshire
Having a pint here means downing a drink at the only pub in the world inside a stone circle. The best table is the Well Seat, where the glass tabletop…
The Midlands & the Marches
This Grade II–listed, triple-decker space is styled after a neon-lit American dive bar, with retro, vintage and industrial decor, craft beers, and…
Whitby
The best place in town for atmosphere (though it might not look it from the outside) and real ale, with its impressive range of cask-conditioned beers…
Swansea, The Gower & Carmarthenshire
Stained glass, polished wood and a roaring fire set an immediately comforting tone, but it's the beer that the grizzled bunch of blokes propping up the…
Cardiff
The decor's all over the place (prohibition speakeasy meets Buddha bar meets mad-scientist's lair) but the bar staff are slick enough to distract from any…
Peak District
The ivy-draped Castle Inn has four centuries of practice in rejuvenating hamstrung hikers (and their dogs – pets are warmly welcomed here). Gourmet…
Birmingham
Narrow boats glide past the terrace of this 18th-century lock-keeper’s cottage, where the low-ceilinged interior is strung with nautical paraphernalia and…
South Cornwall
Once the preferred haunt of Flushing's gig-rowers, but now a foodie's pub (mains £8 to £16). The feel is modern, but there are still a few nautically…
Dumfries & Galloway
This attractive central bar has craft beer and a good atmosphere. It also does breakfasts, basic snacks and sandwiches during the day, and simple, cheap…
St Ives
This whitewashed, beam-ceilinged boozer is as comfy as an old pair of slippers, with a few tables on the harbour and lots of local ales. On a sunny day,…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This spacious music bar in the heart of Shoreditch has become an institution in the area. It has live performances six nights a week, ranging across jazz,…
Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog
The Boar's Head is a lively local pub, with sofas in the back room, sports on the TV in the front bar, a sunny beer garden overlooking the river, and a…
The Lake District
For something a little more upscale than Ambleside's trad pubs, head down to this slinky wine bar for a glass of wine and a spot of local music. There are…
Inverness
Stuck beneath the ugliest building on the riverfront, Johnny Foxes is a big and boisterous Irish bar with a wide range of food served all day and live…
Nottingham
Split in two by a watery inlet, the Canal House is the best of the city's canal-front pubs, with plenty of waterside seating and beers by Nottingham-based…
Butterfly and the Pig Southside
Glasgow
The southern incarnation of this well-loved Bath St bar occupies an extravagantly decorated traditional pub opposite Queens Park. It's a laid-back,…
London
Informed staff can help you navigate the 400 or so imported wines that line the bare brick walls of this independent bar. Try to visit on a Tuesday when…
Cardiff
One of the oldest pubs in the city and a long-standing gay venue, this Victorian bar retains its handsome stained glass, polished wood and ceramic tiles…
Cumbria & the Lakes
As its name suggests, this popular place is stylishly shabby, with scruffy furniture, a bar made out of old crates and a determinedly chilled vibe. It's…
Nottingham
Local Goths flock to this dimly lit pub for the vampire vibe and theatrical decor (push the floor-to-ceiling basement 'bookcase' to reach the toilets), as…
Belfast
Northern Whig is set in an elegant Georgian printing works, with relaxing sofas and armchairs encouraging serious afternoon loafing, though the pace hots…
Derry (Londonderry)
A fine polished-brass and stained-glass Victorian pub with wood-panelled nooks and crannies, and an outdoor terrace, Badgers overflows at lunchtime with…
Glasgow
Set across three levels, this outpost of an Edinburgh brewery offers some 20 taps of quality craft beer, some of which is brewed here, and a few…
Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog
This cosy, traditional pub serves a range of real ales to a cast of local characters amid old timber beams and angling paraphernalia. Try counting the…
Cardiff
We rate the cocktails and ambience much more highly than the food at this hip cafe-bar directly opposite the National Museum. Slink into the comfy chairs,…
South Cornwall
A decent coffee stop, next door to the Plaza Cinema. It's tiny – not much more than a chrome bar and a couple of tables – but there are often tempting…
Belfast
In Belfast's oldest surviving building, dating from 1711, McHugh's retains a wonderfully traditional feel with its old wooden booths and benches, and…
Cardiff
Occupying the corner of the main street and a shady lane, Peppermint has a pleasant interior (curved banquettes, feature wallpaper and a long bar), but it…
Glasgow
Near Queens Park station, this upbeat spot doles out more than a hundred varieties of rum. It backs up the Caribbean theme with Jamaican and Creole…
Birmingham
Chinatown's Arcadian Centre, centred on an open-air plaza, is the gateway to Birmingham's hedonistic nightlife quarter south of New St station, with…
Linen Hall Library Coffee Shop
Belfast
The Linen Hall Library has a small coffee shop selling sandwiches and cakes as well as hot dishes like soup and chicken pie. There are great views of…
Southeast Wales
A Victorian stationmaster's house with flagstone floors and wood-burning stoves, the Foxhunter is now an appealing country pub serving hearty meals. It's…
South Cornwall
Veryan's pub is a snug, old-school boozer – fireplaces, woodburners, brass knick-knacks and all. There are nooks and crannies to nestle down in, and a…
Portree (Port Righ)
Portree's pubs are nothing special, but the Isles Inn is more atmospheric than most. The Jacobean bar, with its flagstone floor and open fires, pulls in a…
Ullapool
Known as the FBI, this character-laden waterfront inn is a popular spot where locals and visitors go to mingle. The food isn't anything special but it's…
Skye
You can enjoy a bar meal of Cullen skink or roast venison (food served noon to 9pm) washed down with Isle of Skye Brewery ale at the public bar in the…
Fort William
The lounge here enjoys a good view over the loch, and the bar exudes a relaxed, jovial atmosphere where climbers and tourists can work off leftover energy…
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Going strong since 1861, old-school boozer Trent House out-cools many Newcastle bars because it isn't trying. There's a jukebox with jazz and electronica…
Keswick
A spit-and-sawdust pub that claims to be the oldest drinking den in town. It's owned by Jenning's Brewery, so you can sup on a pint of Cumberland or Sneck…
