The West End
This twin-floored pub off Old Compton St attracts a beardy, fun-loving gay crowd, welcoming friendly comers of all persuasions. A classic jumping-off…
Must-see nightlife in England
Oxford
Revamped to meet the needs of students – table football, table tennis, cheap food, hand-pumped ales and the latest craft beers – rather than the car…
North Cornwall
Generations of Cornish youth have passed through this venerable beach bar, and it's still going strong, despite nearly being swept away during recent…
Oxford
A sturdy four-square fixture on Jericho’s main street, this veteran pub has benefitted from an appealing modern makeover, and now places a strong emphasis…
North London
A good bet for a fun night out, this cocktail and DJ bar's atmosphere, decor and music are a celebration of all things Latino, with a hint of London and…
Shropshire
The hop-strewn Church Inn is a cosy little escape with a pulpit at the bar. It's tucked away on the narrow lane beside the old butter market.
The West End
Bradley’s doesn't look at all Spanish in decor, but its choice of libations is authentic: Estrella, tinto de verano (red wine with lemonade) and tequila…
The West End
Built on the site of the Old Bull Inn, this traditional freehouse pub, with dark-wood panels, hanging lamps and portraits on the walls, lies in a narrow…
The West End
A lovely pub in a very busy corner of Soho, the White Horse ticks all the boxes: friendly staff, cheap drinks (it’s part of the Sam Smith brewery empire)…
London
Perched atop One New Change, with an intoxicating view of St Paul's, Madison offers a large open-air roof terrace with a restaurant on one side and a…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Catch's interior is eye-catching indeed with its colourful decor. Upstairs you’ll hear anything from '90s to funk and hip hop, and a great selection of…
Greenwich
Billing itself as a 'museum pub', the Prince of Greenwich is a classic old Victorian boozer now packed full of quirky decor and mismatched furnishings. It…
Birmingham
Comedy nights regularly take place in the 19th-century splendour of this old theatre pub dating from the late 19th century, which is reputed to have its…
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Sitting on a hill at the top of the Ouseburn Valley, this 19th-century bar has a sensational selection of ales and ciders as well as a range of…
The West End
Brave the crowds at this centrally located pub established in 1899, just to see the beautifully etched and engraved windows and other Victorian features…
London
Started in 1879, this venerable institution is where barristers, solicitors and other legal types from the Royal Courts of Justice across the way come to…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Flight Club elevates the game of darts from the musty pubs with beer-soaked carpets where it's often played to this super-slick venue with blinking…
Brixton, Peckham & South London
Gauge the pulse of Brixton Village over a cup of Federation's gorgeous coffee, made with beans by guest roasters from as close as a nearby market stall…
Windsor & Eton
This bright, bubbly 16th-century pub is tucked into a cobbled lane opposite the castle; sit at its street-side tables and admire the fortifications. Chain…
Brighton & Hove
In fine weather this laid-back Brighton institution throws open its doors and windows, and tables spill out onto the pavement. You’ll be just as welcome…
London
For a pub that survived the Great Fire by 50m, the Hoop & Grapes is surprisingly lacking in atmosphere. The current structure probably dates from the 17th…
York
On a street that is notorious for its Saturday-night drunken revelry, Brigantes is a wood-panelled haven of peace and sophistication, with hand-pulled…
The West End
This venue is not quite the party place that Ku Bar Lisle St is and it therefore tends to be popular with a slightly older, smarter gay crowd. It's within…
Brixton, Peckham & South London
Two Brewers endures as one of the best London gay bars outside the LGBT+ villages of Soho and Vauxhall. There's cabaret, bingo or karaoke most nights of…
South Cornwall
This cosy, old-style, whitewashed Portscatho pub dates from the 18th century and is all the better for it: expect worn wood, swirly carpets, plenty of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
East London
It's spaces like Dalston Roof Park that make you regret the fact that London isn't sunny year-round. Because when you sit in the colourful chairs on the…
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…
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…
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,…
South Bank
This classic neighbourhood pub has a beautiful wood-panelled horseshoe bar and large windows that let in a lot of light. There are four rotating ales and…
North Cornwall
A big old pebble-dashed Victorian pub right in the heart of the village, this is usually where nights out in St Agnes begin. It's a bit shabby inside, but…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
