Honest guide

Best Pubs in Bath

The Star Inn has served beer in the same four small rooms since 1760. The Raven has eight rotating casks in exceptional condition. The Bell Inn has free live music most nights. Bath has good pubs — here are six worth finding.

Bath is a tourist city with plenty of pubs that look the part and disappoint. These six are the exceptions: genuine character, good beer, and regulars who'd go there anyway. Ranked roughly by what makes them worth a detour.

  1. 1
    The Star Inn

    The Star Inn

    Traditional

    23 The Vineyards, BA1 5NA · Snowfields

    Est. 1760

    A Grade II-listed pub and one of the few remaining tied houses for Abbey Ales. Four small rooms, original Victorian fittings, open fires, no music. Beer is served from ceramic-lined jugs kept behind the bar. The Star is what most Bath pubs claim to be but aren't.

    Beer

    Abbey Ales (tied house)

    Price

    Pint from £4.20

    Insider tip

    The 'death room' at the back (so called because it was used for wakes) has the best atmosphere on winter evenings.

  2. 2
    The Bell Inn

    The Bell Inn

    Live music

    103 Walcot Street, BA1 5BW · Walcot

    Est. 1750

    The best live music pub in Bath. Free gigs most nights — folk, jazz, blues, indie. Relaxed crowd, long bar, decent real ales, and a back room with space to actually watch the act. Monday night jazz sessions have run for over 20 years.

    Beer

    Changing guest ales

    Price

    Pint from £4.40

    Insider tip

    Check their Facebook for the weekly gig list. Arrive 30 minutes before to get a seat at the back room.

  3. 3
    The Raven

    The Raven

    Real ale

    6-7 Queen Street, BA1 1HE · City centre

    Est. 2007

    Bath's finest real ale pub without question. Up to eight rotating casks, a serious pie menu, and a no-nonsense approach to beer quality. The upstairs room is worth finding. CAMRA-listed and deservedly so — the ales are kept in exceptional condition.

    Beer

    8 rotating casks

    Price

    Pint from £4.60

    Insider tip

    The pies are the best bar food in Bath. The steak and Tribute pie is a Thursday special.

  4. 4
    The Crystal Palace

    The Crystal Palace

    Gastro

    10-11 Abbey Green, BA1 1NW · Abbey Green

    Est. 1736

    Overlooks the listed plane tree on Abbey Green — arguably Bath's most pleasant outdoor pub setting. Decent gastro food, Butcombe ales on cask, and a garden that gets the afternoon sun. Touristy location, but the food and beer are legitimate.

    Beer

    Butcombe ales

    Price

    Pint from £4.80

    Insider tip

    Arrive before noon for the garden in summer — it fills by 12:30.

  5. 5
    The Salamander

    The Salamander

    Bath Ales

    3 John Street, BA1 2JL · City centre

    Est. 1713

    The flagship pub for Bath Ales — the city's best-regarded brewery. Gem, Wild Hare, and Barnsey are always on. Georgian interior that hasn't been gutted and modernised. One of the few city-centre pubs where you can have a quiet conversation at the bar.

    Beer

    Bath Ales (tied house)

    Price

    Pint from £4.30

    Insider tip

    Bath Ales Gem is the house speciality — it's lighter than it pours.

  6. 6
    The Coeur de Lion

    The Coeur de Lion

    Unique

    17 Northumberland Place, BA1 5AR · City centre

    Est. 18th century

    Widely cited as the smallest pub in Bath, tucked into a Regency arcade off the main shopping street. Space for around 20 people, one bar, changing ales. Worth visiting for the novelty and the atmosphere — not for a long session.

    Beer

    Changing ales

    Price

    Pint from £4.50

    Insider tip

    Best visited midweek between 2–5pm when it's quiet enough to actually stand at the bar.

Pub questions answered

What are the best pubs in Bath?
The Star Inn (The Vineyards, BA1) is the most historically significant — a tied house for Abbey Ales since 1760 with original Victorian fittings and no music. The Raven (Queen Street) has the best real ale selection: 8 rotating casks and exceptional condition. The Bell Inn (Walcot Street) is the best live music pub, with free gigs most nights. The Salamander is the home of Bath Ales.
Does Bath have good real ale pubs?
Yes — Bath has a strong real ale scene. The Raven is CAMRA-listed with 8 rotating casks. The Salamander is the flagship tied house for Bath Ales brewery. The Star Inn has been serving Abbey Ales from ceramic jugs since 1760. All three are within a 15-minute walk of the Roman Baths.
Which Bath pubs have live music?
The Bell Inn on Walcot Street has free live music most nights — folk, jazz, blues, and indie. Monday night jazz has run for over 20 years. Moles Club (on George Street) is the city's best small music venue for ticketed gigs. Most other Bath pubs do not have live music.
Are Bath pubs dog-friendly?
Several Bath pubs welcome dogs. The Star Inn allows dogs in the public bar. The Bell Inn is dog-friendly. The Crystal Palace has a garden where dogs are welcome. Check with each pub directly, as policies vary by room and time of year.