East London
On the northern border of Victoria Park, this excellent establishment – once a poster pub for Transport for London – has 10 real ales and Belgian and…
Must-see nightlife in England
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…
East London
Built in the 19th century, this lovely old boozer has a series of handsome rooms set around a central bar. The front bar and saloon are the most convivial…
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…
East London
The White Swan is a fun East End kind of place, with a large dance floor, a basement club and a more relaxed pub area. Club classics and cheesy pop…
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…
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…
South Bank
This crowd-pleaser on Bermondsey St is well loved by locals who come for a cheeky weeknight pint or Sunday lunch. There is a nice beer patio at the back,…
Shropshire
Traditional 17th-century Loggerheads has a crop of small, cosy corners including the Poet's Room hung with portraits of Samuel Beckett, Ted Hughes and…
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…
The Atlantic Highway
In the upper part of the village, this whitewashed inn is a cosy place for a pint. It retains much of its period atmosphere, with fittings from open…
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…
The West End
Ku is a three-tiered pleasure palace near Leicester Sq, with a cocktail bar and lounge above ground playing pop videos on wall-hung screens, and a proper,…
East London
Occupying a cavernous brick warehouse right on the canal, No 90 serves craft beer, wine and cocktails to local artists and Sunday sippers. DJs play most…
Nottingham
Its setting in a deconsecrated 19th-century church with soaring ceilings, glorious stained glass and flickering candles makes Nottingham's branch of this…
Oxford
Celebrating cycling culture in all its forms, this cool modern coffee shop pulls in caffeine fiends with its stripped-back, bare-white decor, easygoing…
Birmingham
Sit in perspex chairs in front of giant blow-ups of Hawaiian beaches and groove to rock and roll at this tiki bar. Tropical-themed cocktails include…
The Atlantic Highway
The local's choice, a short walk from the harbour, with a couple of open fires and a friendly atmosphere. It's freehold, so there's a good selection of…
South Cornwall
This is where the locals hang out in Flushing, a traditional village pub with benches on the street, an open log fire and plenty of beers on tap. Pub…
Cambridge
Bringing a South Pacific vibe to the centre of Cambridge, Lola Lo specialises in cocktails and themed nights, featuring house, chart, commercial dance,…
Nottingham
An underground club for those who like their bass heavy and their beats supercharged, Stealth is attached to live music venue the Rescue Rooms.
Keswick
Benches, beams, hearths, rugs: the old Dog is the picture of a Lakeland pub. Look out for Thirst Rescue ale, which donates part of its proceeds to the…
Exeter
The Exeter Cosy Club outpost occupies a former 1920s hospital X-ray department. The vibe is buzzy; the clientele is smart; and the decor is a mix of…
East Cornwall
Popular ale-drinker's pub, with toby jugs, vintage photos and beer mats adorning the walls, and at least six ales and a local scrumpy on tap. Basic pub…
North Cornwall
In business since 1803, this quaint old boozer is a reliable pint stop, with St Austell ales on tap. Old rudders, ships' wheels and even a croc's head…
Keswick
A cosy corner wine bar that also serves good lunches and evening tapas (£4 to £10).
St Ives
The open-plan Hub is the heart of St Ives' (admittedly limited) nightlife: coffee and burgers by day, cocktails after dark and a great location on the…
Northeast England
Encased in ivory-coloured tiles, this salt-of-the-earth 1850-built traditional pub is great for a pint of real ale while watching a Newcastle United match.
The West End
This hugely popular lesbian and gay bar and club with a late licence plays pop and other nonsense (imagine Donna Summer's 'Last Dance') till the wee hours.
North Cornwall
As its name suggests, this pub is right in the middle of town, and is usually packed at weekends. There's a large streetside patio for al fresco drinking.
Exeter
Scuffed floorboards, crowded-in tables and walls smothered in an eyebrow-raising array of collectables set the scene at this atmospheric drinking den.
Plymouth
The Swallow has been a friendly fixture of Plymouth's gay scene for 25 years. The vibe is relaxed, in keeping with its pool table and karaoke nights.
The Lake District
With its sputtering fires and inglenook bar, this 16th-century coaching inn on the A591 makes a fine place for a pint and a simple pie supper.
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This down-to-earth and welcoming backstreet pub attracts a friendly bunch of relaxed locals for its quirky decor, great music and good times.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
This small late-night bar has dance music upstairs and more mainstream tunes downstairs. Look out for drag queen–hosted events and parties.
South Devon
Eccentric old boozer decorated with thousands of key rings, stone jugs and chamber pots, presided over by a chatty parrot called Mr Tibbs.
Shropshire
Under the medieval Broadgate, the quiet little Wheatsheaf Inn has stone walls, exposed wooden beams, toasty fireplaces and local ales.
York
Popular and atmospheric pub in a 16th-century building, with a small beer garden and a good range of ales. And it's haunted…
Liverpool
A traditional pub with a beer garden; the fact that John and Cynthia Lennon liked coming here still draws the curious.
