Pubs in Bath

With a prime location in the heart of town, just around the corner from The Roman Baths, The Crystal Palace is one of our most popular pubs. It’s a Fuller’s pub, so you won’t find a better pint of London Pride anywhere else in Bath. Their selection of ales and lager is always excellent, and there’s a great beer garden for when the sun is shining. They do a good roast on Sundays that’s well worth heading down for. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to eat during the rest of the week, you’re best off heading to one of our favourite restaurants in Bath.

The Bell Inn is a fantastic drinking den on the edge of town. But, first and foremost, it’s a properly run people’s pub. It’s a cooperative, so it’s owned by over 500 of their customers, fans and workers. They pay their employees the real living wage, and they give their punters regular offerings of live music and DJ nights. Behind the bar, you’ll find several real ales, as well as a couple of guest taps. It’s a bohemian pub with a lively atmosphere and an eclectic mix of clientele. Plus, on Sundays, it’s worth making the pilgrimage out of town to taste their wood-fired pizzas.

Gastropubs don’t get much better than The Chequers. It’s housed in a wonderful Georgian building near the Royal Crescent and has been serving the people of Bath since 1776. Inside, rustic wooden furnishings are balanced out with stylish, contemporary decor to give The Chequers a lovely homely feel. It’s a fine setting but to be honest, it could be an absolute dive and we’d still come back – the food is that good. Starters, mains, desserts; they’re all delightful. It’s arguably one of the best Sunday roasts you’ll find in the whole of Bath.

A family-run pub with a fantastic selection of real ales on tap, and a menu of pukka pies from the Bristol-born nationwide phenomenon Pieminister, The Raven on Queen Street was always going to make our shortlist of the best pubs in Bath. Based in a couple of Georgian townhouses, it’s a traditional place so don’t walk in expecting loud music, or even TVs. However, what you will be able to enjoy is excellent service, impressive ale knowledge, and a surprisingly strong wine list from both the old world and the new. 

Last but not least, in the shadow of St Michael’s Church, The Old Green Tree is a great place to go for a drink while you’re in the town centre. It’s a tiny 18th-century tavern with real oak panelling, half a dozen real ales on tap and bags of character. It’s a real local favourite, and often gets packed to the rafters, particularly when Bath Rugby Club are playing at home. Hunt it down, have a good time in a properly old-fashioned British pub, and when you’ve had your fill, it’s just a seven-minute stumble to our Bath City Centre hotel.