Pubs and Bars / Pubs
Best pubs in Bristol
Handpicked by over 60 industry stalwarts for the seventh edition of Bristol24/7’s annual food and drink guide, EatDrink24/7, this list is your map to Bristol’s best pubs.
Whether you’re looking for a pub steeped in history or just a good old boozer to unwind, Bristol has it all. Each of these pubs has been recommended by panellists who are well known for their culinary expertise in the city.
Scroll down to see if your favourite pub made it to this list
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Dating back to the 1770s, the Old Duke on King Street is housed within a Grade-II listed building – photo: Karen Johnson
The All Inn, Fishponds
“Really lovely welcoming local serving great burgers and pizzas. They cover the complete range of dietary requirements so I can take the whole family. The beers are very well kept indeed.”
James Taljaard, Watershed
The Alma Tavern, Clifton
“I recently tried their Sunday roast, and it was the best I have had in Bristol so far. Porchetta was perfect, carrots still had a bite, and no fiendish red cabbage taking up plate space. Finishing with homemade Snickers ice cream, it was a win-win.”
Florence Wilson, Little Hollows Pasta
The Avon Packet, Southville
“Name me another pub in Bristol which has its own resident ducks. Looking forward to when Vauxhall Bridge reopens so it’s closer to my front door.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Bag of Nails, Hotwells
“My local is world renowned as ‘the cat pub’ but there is far more to it than their famous felines.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Bank Tavern, John Street
“Believe the hype! I was lucky enough to have Sunday lunch here recently and it truly is exceptional. This pub hidden away off the beaten track is also somewhere I enjoy popping in for a midweek pint.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Bag of Nails is best known for its many resident cats – photo: Martin Booth
The Barley Mow, St Philip’s
“BBF really supports the local industry and this pub shows this off with a fantastic array of local beers. Snuggle in front of the fire in winter or chill in the beer garden in summer. It’s always dreamy!”
Annie Clements, Lost and Grounded
The Chelsea Inn, Easton
“It’s a punk pub and they always have great music. It’s just very rough and ready but everyone’s really friendly and it’s just good fun!”
Cat O’Shea, Radical Roasters
The Clyde, Redland
“Best boozer in Bristol. Can’t say I get out that much but if I’m to ‘wet the whistle’ then you’ll find me there. Anywhere that lets you order a curry into the pub is the place for me. Maz’s pool table, Maz’s rules, Simple as that.”
Josh Dickinson, The Scrandit
“The Clyde is the only bar to go to! This is the pub for me – it’s a classic. You always feel happy in the pub. The owner, Maz, will tell you if you’re not behaving.”
George Livesey, Bulrush
The Coronation, Southville
“Always a friendly, a bit quirky and well priced. It serves a great selection of drinks, is dog-friendly (which gets a thumbs up from our dog Jaffa), serves great food including a Sunday roast and if it is your scene, a pub quiz every Monday.”
Tristan Hembrow, Bristol Beer Factory
The Coronation Tap, Clifton
“I don’t think I could call myself a cidermaker if I left the Cori Tap off the list of favourite Bristol venues! This legendary, centuries-old cider house is a must-visit for anyone who sets foot in the West Country. We craft the Exhibition Cider exclusively for them, and it is the only place in the world where you can try it.”
Richard Johnson, Thatcher’s
The Elmer’s Arms, Old Market
“A wonderful and unpredictable pub. You never know who you might end up chatting to here with a pint of Steady Rolling Man from DEYA. The music is great, the beer is great and Elmer is one of a kind.”
Rapha Persighetti, Gigi’s Pizza
Punters at the Elmer’s Arms in Old Market are generally greeted by a sharply dressed Elmer – photo: Hannah Massoudi
The Good Measure, Redland
“Anyone around Chandos Road will be familiar with the Good Measure, which is the most frequented pub after work, open when we’re closed, an incredibly friendly team, tasty beers, a pack of cards and good music. Perfect chill-out spot.”
Florence Wilson, Little Hollows Pasta
The Green Man, Kingsdown
“The first place in Bristol where I really felt at home. Landlord Philo has a warm welcome for everyone. My go-to pub when visitors are in town. And if you like gin, there’s an extensive selection behind the bar. A must visit pub that captures Bristol at its best!”
Annie Clements, Lost and Grounded
The Hare on the Hill, Kingsdown
“Just off of the beaten track enough that you feel slightly out of the chaos, and definitely deserving of a pint and packet of Scampi Fries after walking up that hill. My my favourite visit will always be my first when I stumbled across its glow at the top of the hill and spent the next few hours catching up with good friends, drinking beer and listening to the crackle of Herbie Hancock on vinyl.”
Tallulah Small, COR
The Highbury Vaults, Kingsdown
“A snug, bar billiards, lush garden and even a little train. I love the Highbury Vaults.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Kensington Arms, Redland
“I love the Kenny. I almost always go for the Kenny burger which, in my opinion, is one of Bristol’s best.”
Will Prosser, Hilda’s
The King’s Head, Victoria Street
“I’ve made this niche Bristol local transport comment before, but sitting in the splendid tramcar bar at the King’s Head is likely to be the closest to a tram that I am able to see in our city for many a year.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The snug at the Nova Scotia is also known as the captain’s cabin – photo: Martin Booth
The King’s Head, Redfield
“I live round the corner from here and it’s an absolute gem. A small menu of Caribbean classics done very well indeed in a welcoming local pub.”
Oli Smith, Bristol Cheesemonger
The Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Place
“If you are ever in the area, I would head to the Nova Scotia. It’s got stunning ale right on the harbour out of the way of the hustle and bustle. Super traditional too!”
Tristan Hembrow, Bristol Beer Factory
“I may be biased because it’s my neck of the woods, but Hotwells has definitely got the best pubs in Bristol and the Nova Scotia is among the best of the bunch, especially if you can find a space in the snug.
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
“Nestled in a quieter spot of the harbour, this is a gem of a proper traditional pub. Great location, interesting customers and a brilliant selection on the bar. In my opinion, there is nothing better than sitting outside, cider in hand, looking across the harbour. It’s got a wonderfully diverse and loyal customer base, so there is always a warm welcome here and never a dull moment.”
Richard Johnson, Thatcher’s
The Old Castle Green, Old Market
“You’ve got to try the loaded roast potatoes done here on Sundays. They’ve just started it and it is amazing.”
Iman Salat, Jikoni
The Old Duke, King Street
“I love the live music and atmosphere at this King Street institution. Whoever is playing, it is always a nice vibe. There are few better places to enjoy a pint of cider than the Old Duke, and I love how the punters here all spill out onto the street, giving it a festival atmosphere.”
Richard Johnson, Thatcher’s
The Old Stillage, Redfield
“I’d never stepped foot in the Old Stillage until it became my geographical local 18 months ago. I thought I’d struck gold. Low lights, battered wooden tables, well-kept beer and friendly service. It’s a vibe.”
Alex Hayes, Squeezed
The Old Stillage in Redfield is a rustic watering hole serving a rotating list of local beers – photo: Karen Johnson
The Orchard Inn, Hanover Place
“This pub always has great cask ale, a fresh keg line up, a huge cider selection and really, really good pork rolls on the bar. Perfect with a spoonful of mustard.”
Tristan Hembrow, Bristol Beer Factory
The Ostrich, Redcliffe
“What I love about the Ostrich is that it is the perfect place to visit year-round. In the winter it’s a cosy spot for a Sunday roast. My tip is to order a Katy cider with it to really bring out those flavours and have a true Bristolian experience. Then in the summer, the beer garden on the water’s edge is a perfect setting for a pint and soaking up the harbourside atmosphere.”
Richard Johnson, Thatcher’s
The Oxford, Totterdown
“This pub gives proper old school vibes with epic cask beer. The team are always friendly and they know how to put on a cracking live music night! There are boardgames, quiz nights and the Six Nations.”
Tristan Hembrow, Bristol Beer Factory
A new collaborative mural by ASK Crew was recently painted on one side of the Star & Garter – photo: Martin Booth
The Pipe and Slippers, Cheltenham Road
“Always a go-to when having a night out in the area. Welcoming staff, great selection of beer, and gets very busy in the late evening. Have a Pipe Dream is you dare…Oh and don’t forget the roast dinners on a Sunday are something else! Fab!”
Annie Clements, Lost and Grounded
The Plough Inn, Easton
“I love the atmosphere and the food here. And their ethos is really great.”
Cat O’Shea, Radical Roasters
The Pump House, Hotwells
“They have always been a staple in Bristol.”
Holly Eggleton, The Pony Group
“A favourite pace to go after picking up my youngest from school on a Friday. It’s the luxury hot chocolate for her and a pint of Clear Head for me.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Seven Stars, Thomas Lane
“This place is filled with history. Surrounded by a hodgepodge of architecture from every era, it has stood the test of time. It earned its place in history for many reasons but is and is now known for its great selection of pints. It might be obvious from my job that I am a fan of cider, and this place has a great selection of West Country ciders to sample. In this pub that blends history and heritage with modern urban life, I like to enjoy a Gold.”
Richard Johnson, Thatcher’s
The Shakespeare, Redland
“Fantastic local pub serving great gastropub classics and exciting specials; not to mention their roasts which are some of the best in the city.”
Matt Parry, Bocabar
Small Bar, King Street
“All beer lovers should be incredibly grateful for Left Handed Giant making Bristol their home and now providing us with some of the best places across the city to eat and drink from pizza in Renato’s to a cheeky third in their St Philip’s brewery. But it’s here in Small Bar that it all began and where we should raise our glasses to Bruce, Jack and the team.”
Martin Booth, Bristol24/7
The Star, Fishponds
“Here is where you can get a very good pint.”
Pegs Bin, Sonny Stores
The Star and Gater, Brook Road
“They tend to have lots of good community days and stuff. Their jerk chicken is really good.”
Cat O’Shea, Radical Roasters
The EatDrink24/7 2025 cover features a picture of a dish from the Kensington Arms, taken by David Eyre
The EatDrink24/7 2025 guide is now available to pick up from places across the city or can be read online here: https://flickread.com/edition/Bristol-Food-and-Drink-Guide
Main photo: Susie Long
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