Bristol's 11 best pubs

The Famous Navy Volunteer is a pub that has a welcoming aura for those who sail in for a drink.

With natural lighting, great artwork and outdoor seating, this spot is a comfortable place to be. You can use its TV and audio system to watch and listen to exciting events live while enjoying a beer or cocktail.

Its main bar offers a standing capacity for 350 people so make your way from Bristol Temple Meads station for a drink fit for a captain.

Hidden in the narrow back streets of Montpellier, just north of the city centre, The Cadbury is a relaxed pub with a warm, inviting atmosphere, accommodating staff, and a large, suntrap beer garden.

The Cadbury is a 300-year-old timber-framed pub serving up a selection of local real ales from regional breweries, as well as fine wines, and top shelf spirits.

In addition to their fantastic selection of drinks, The Cadbury also offers a range of home-cooked meals, including Sunday roasts and vegan options, so there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a casual boozer to have a few drinks or to have delicious pub grub with family, The Cadbury is a brilliant pub to visit this weekend.

Perched on the edge of Bristol’s historic Harbourside, The Ostrich is a brilliant riverside pub where you can enjoy a quiet drink and a bite to eat in the sunshine while watching the harbour from their large outdoor seating area.

Drinks-wise, The Ostrich offers award-winning Butcombe beer, curated cocktails, and an extensive rum menu which plays homage to the pub’s roots as a dockside inn where sailors and dock-workers once drank.

The recently refurbished Top Deck is a spacious dining space and bar available for private hire, boasting brilliant views over the harbour.

The Pipe & Slippers have been serving the Stokes Croft area and beyond since 2004. Upon entering this friendly Bristol pub, you are met with high ceilings, dark wood, and warm lighting creating a cosy, homely vibe.

The Pipe & Slippers have a fantastic selection of drinks from draught and bottled beers and ciders to carefully constructed cocktails, and everything in between. As well as great drinks, this pub also serves delicious food all week - including their renowned Sunday roast.

Whether your vibe is a sit down meal and drinks, a cosy date, or a dance to local DJs The Pipe & Slippers ticks all the boxes. Also, that's a great name.

Located on North Street in Bedminster, The Spotted Cow is a spacious gastropub with contemporary decor, plenty of booth seating, and a large pub garden providing the perfect oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

As the name may suggest, The Spotted Cow has a rich history, dating back over 200 years to Bristol’s agricultural days. Today, however, this pub serves a tasty selection of reinvented pub grub classics using the best of West Country produce, great drinks, and regular entertainment in the form of live music, DJ sets, pub quizzes, and bingo.

A blend of contemporary and classic, the Duke of York is a popular Bristol pub tucked away in the residential area of St Werburghs.

The wooden floors, fairy lights, and intriguing collections of memorabilia spotted around the venue create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere that is loved by a clientele who are as eclectic as the decor.

Serving four changing beers, mostly from Bristol breweries, friendly service, and a selection of traditional pub games - including a refurbished skittle alley and boardgames - the Duke of York is a brilliant spot to grab a pint with mates, particularly on a sunny day when you can make the most of their vibrant beer garden.

At the centre of Bristol’s old town, The Old Fish Market is a welcoming, lively pub offering a menu of refined pub classics, as well as a well-stocked bar with craft beers and a wide range of whiskies and gins.

This oak-furnished pub creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere - the perfect place to catch up with friends over a cold pint. They also have a selection of board games and regular live music for you to enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for a venue for business meetings, birthdays, or weddings, The Old Fish Market can cater to your needs. Their 20-30 people capacity function rooms and spacious yard can be reserved free of charge for private hire.

Looking for a stylish, yet laid-back pub in Bristol? We’ve got you covered. With a secluded and leafy three-tiered patio, The Mall Clifton is the perfect pub for warm summer evenings.

The Mall Clifton is a charismatic pub loved by locals and visitors alike. They offer an exceptional selection of drinks – including premium draught lagers and cider, sophisticated wines, artisan spirits and cocktails – worthy of any occasion, whether it’s post-work catch-ups or extravagant celebrations. Located in the heart of Clifton Village, The Mall also makes a great pit-stop while visiting the shops and boutiques the village has to offer.

If you’re searching for a brilliant pub that offers great live music in Bristol, then The Cider Press is well worth a visit. Every Saturday, The Cider Press hosts live music from great local artists. But if you’re more comfortable in the spotlight, this pub also offers open mic nights every Thursday.

The Cider Press is a lively pub with a menu of modern comfort food served daily - including burgers, nachos, sourdough pizzas, and plenty of vegetarian options.

As the name suggests, The Cider Press is famous for its 32 draught ciders. But if you’re not a cider lover, they also offer a range of craft beers, three hand-pulled cask ales, and much more to keep you well-watered.

Named after the flamboyant Jersey-born Victorian actress and racehorse breeder Lily Langtry, The Jersey Lily is an easygoing pub, located on the popular Whiteladies Road in Bristol, serving a great selection of lagers, ales, wines, and spirits as well as classic pub grub.

Alongside the hearty food and craft beers, The Jersey Lily also hosts fantastic live music every Thursday evening which can be enjoyed with a drink from one of the many comfy nooks around the pub. This is a great pub to relax and refresh with friends and also catch the talents of Bristol’s best local musicians.

The Jersey Lily also has flexible and exclusive events spaces available to hire for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating or commemorating

Located in bustling Stokes Croft, The Canteen is a fun, trendy, and artsy pub with plenty of outdoor seating for chilled drinks and a large inside bar area. The Canteen offers a wide selection of drinks alongside a 100% vegetarian, seasonally sourced, locally produced, and tasty food menu.

With a line-up of free live music - including local bands and DJs - every night of the week, The Canteen has got your evening entertainment covered. Monday through to Saturday, catch lively, vibrant beats which are great for dancing, while Sundays are reserved for more chilled performances.

Known for its buzzing beer garden, great selection of beers and ciders, and great atmosphere, The Canteen really has it all. Whether you’re in the mood for drinking with friends or want to catch live music, it’s a top-tier venue.