There are 39,000 pubs currently in operation in the UK – ranging from sticky carpeted ‘old man pubs’ in London’s East End, to Buckinghamshire’s two-Michelin-starred establishment, The Hand and Flowers.
But however you take your tipple, the public house is an undeniably British institution that deserves its flowers.
And who better to celebrate these watering holes than The Fence, a quarterly print magazine dedicated to life in the UK and Ireland?
In the new book, The Pub, The Fence raises a glass to pubs across the nation through tales and trivia, with contributions from Tom Parker Bowles, restaurant critic Charlotte Ivers and etiquette expert William Hanson.
In the new book, The Pub, The Fence raises a glass to pubs across the nation through tales and trivia
CENTRAL LONDON
THE COCKPIT, ST ANDREW’S HILL, EC4V 5BY
Once the site of a cockfighting arena (until the sport was outlawed in 1835), these days the only preening cocks on display in this magnificent backstreet boozer are the gilet-sporting City boys.
THE STAG’S HEAD, NEW CAVENDISH STREET, W1W 6XW
The Stag’s Head is one of the most cultured pubs in London: it used to be the haunt of such literary heavyweights as Dylan Thomas and Julian MacLaren-Ross.
Once the site of a cockfighting arena, these days the only preening cocks on display at the Cockpit are the gilet-sporting City boys
NORTH LONDON
THE ORANGE TREE, HIGHFIELD ROAD, N21 3HA
With Emma Bunton, Myleene Klass and Louise Redknapp all having lived there at one point, Winchmore Hill is very much a hub for fin de siècle pop girlies. Did they all drink together in the splendour of The Orange Tree? Almost certainly not.
THE KING’S HEAD, BLACKSTOCK ROAD, N4 2DR
If the bacchanalia of karaoke, cheap drinks or majestic interiors aren’t enough to entice you into Finsbury Park’s best pub, check out the baffling black-and-white mural on the side of the pub, which features Diddy, Suge, Biggie and Pac playing pool, presumably at The King’s Head.
The King’s Head on Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park
EAST LONDON
THE HARE, CAMBRIDGE HEATH ROAD, E2 9BU
Come for the raucous atmosphere, stay for the fact it’s located at the end of the alley where The Libertines filmed the music video for ‘Up the Bracket’.
DUKE OF WELLINGTON, HAGGERSTON ROAD, E8 4EP
Despite this excellent sports pub staunchly resisting the gentrification that the rest of E8 has undergone, there are some signs of change: they recently got rid of the ceramic ashtrays next to the urinals.
Come for the raucous atmosphere at East London’s The Hare, stay for the fact it’s located at the end of the alley where The Libertines filmed the music video for ‘Up the Bracket’
WEST LONDON
THE SHEPHERD & FLOCK, GOLDHAWK ROAD, W12 8HA
The sort of Irish pub that, no matter what time you go in, will feature six old men dotted around the room, silently nursing a pint, not interacting with each other.
THE PRINCE OF WALES, WESTERN ROAD, UB2 5ED
There’s no greater combination than pints and grilled, curried meat. In this corner of west London, the desi pubs do it very well indeed, with The Prince of Wales the pick of the bunch.
There’s no greater combination than pints and grilled, curried meat. The Prince of Wales does it very well indeed
MANCHESTER
PEVERIL OF THE PEAK, GREAT BRIDGEWATER STREET, M1 5JQ
It’s pub perfection: the mustard tiles, the mahogany panelling, the weathered floral carpet – and it just might be the best in ‘Manneh’.
THE MARBLE ARCH, ROCHDALE ROAD, M4 4HY
This beer-lover’s haven is located a little outside the city centre, but is worth the trip out for its magnificent ceilings alone.
It’s pub perfection: the mustard tiles, the mahogany panelling and the weathered floral carpet
LIVERPOOL
YE HOLE IN YE WALL, HACKINS HEY, L2 2AW
Ye Hole in Ye Wall is probably the Platonic ideal of a side-street city pub – and also has the accolade of being the last Liverpool pub to be only for men, until as recently as 1976.
COOPERS TOWN HOUSE, CASES STREET, L1 1HW
There’s an incredible 15 pubs on the block over the road from Liverpool Central station. Coopers Town House, a poky, bacchanalian boozer that became famous for livestreaming its karaoke on TikTok, is probably the best of the lot.
Ye Hole in Ye Wall is probably the Platonic ideal of a side-street city pub – and also has the accolade of being the last Liverpool pub to be only for men, until as recently as 1976
BRIGHTON
THE BAT & BALL, DITCHLING ROAD, BN1 4SB
The last remaining spit-and-sawdust boozer in Brighton, The Bat & Ball is so named after the original Brighton cricket ground located on the Level, although nowadays it’s more MD20/20 than T20.
The last remaining spit-and-sawdust boozer in Brighton, The Bat & Ball is so named after the original Brighton cricket ground located on the Level
BIRMINGHAM
THE OLD JOINT STOCK, TEMPLE ROW WEST, B2 5NY
Originally a library, this ornate Fuller’s pub with a theatre upstairs is worth a visit for the swish interirs alone.
Originally a library, this ornate Fuller’s pub with a theatre upstairs is worth a visit for the swish interirs alone
LEEDSTHE DUCK & DRAKE, KIRKGATE, LS2 7DR
It’s stunning inside, but the tiki-inspired beer garden is what really sets The Duck & Drake apart from other Leodensian pubs.
THE TEMPLAR HOTEL, TEMPLAR STREET, LS2 7NU
Never mind Leeds, The Templar’s one of the best places in the whole of Yorkshire to get a pint in, all conspiratorial booths and stained-glass partitioning.
It’s stunning inside, but the tiki-inspired beer garden is what really sets The Duck & Drake apart from other Leodensian pubs
NOTTINGHAM
YE OLDE TRIP TO JERUSALEM, BREWHOUSE YARD, NG1 6AD
Ye Olde Trip perhaps spuriously claims to be the oldest pub in England, which instantly makes it full of curious tourists. Don’t let that put you off though – it really is one of the best in the city.
Ye Olde Trip perhaps spuriously claims to be the oldest pub in England, which instantly makes it full of curious tourists. Don’t let that put you off though – it really is one of the best in the city
NORWICH
THE FAT CAT, WEST END STREET, NR2 4NA
This is what a community drinking space should look like: open to everyone, and with a sensational selection of hooch to see you through the evening’s festivities.
The Fat Cat pub is what a community drinking space should look like: open to everyone, and with a sensational selection of hooch to see you through the evening’s festivities
SHEFFIELDTHE RUTLAND ARMS, BROWN STREET, S1 2BS
The Rutland Arms veers just the right side of shabby chic and is a very good place to drink indeed, despite the strange floral bar stools.
The Rutland Arms veers just the right side of shabby chic
NEWCASTLE
THE BRIDGE HOTEL, CASTLE GARTH, NE1 1RQ
There’s no better place to enjoy Robert Stephenson’s magnificent High Level Bridge than plonked in the beer garden of The Bridge Hotel with a few halves of Ruddles.
There’s no better place to enjoy Robert Stephenson’s magnificent High Level Bridge than plonked in the beer garden of The Bridge Hotel with a few halves of Ruddles
The Bridge Hotel in Castle Garth
BRISTOL
THE SEVEN STARS, THOMAS LANE, BS1 6JG
There are 37 pubs in the UK named The Seven Stars, which is believed to have originated from the seven provinces of the Netherlands. Is this one in Bristol the best?
THE CAT & WHEEL, CHELTENHAM ROAD, BS6 5QX
A good pub should have at least some entertainment on offer. The Cat & Wheel feels like it was designed by someone with ADHD. There’s karaoke, live music, DJs, pinball, darts, pool, foosball, the Wii, fruities, quiz nights and, of course, plenty of screens for the Barclays.
There are 37 pubs in the UK named The Seven Stars, which is believed to have originated from the seven provinces of the Netherlands. Is this one in Bristol the best?
HULL
YE OLDE BLACK BOY, HIGH STREET, HU1 1PS
Allegedly the oldest pub in Hull, as it dates all the way back to 1729. Still just as good to drink in as it was back then.
Allegedly the oldest pub in Hull, Ye Olde Black Boy dates all the way back to 1729. Still just as good to drink in as it was back then
EDINBURGH
THE BLUE BLAZER, SPITTAL STREET, EH3 9DX
Contrary to popular belief, this pub is not named after the lovely reps at Pontins holiday parks.
THE DIGGERS, ANGLE PARK TERRACE, EH11 2JX
The Diggers actual name is The Athletic Arms, but the pub’s location between two cemeteries – and the fact it was used as a post-work p*ss-up spot for thirsty gravediggers – earned it its slightly macabre nickname.
Contrary to popular belief, Edinburgh pub The Blue Blazer is not named after the lovely reps at Pontins holiday parks
GLASGOW
THE LAURIESTON BAR, BRIDGE STREET, G5 9HU
It’s the most famous pub in Glasgow, and after one drink inside you’ll see why: it’s a portal to another time and really does have one of the most special atmospheres of any pub anywhere.
THE POT STILL, HOPE STREET, G2 2TH
If Glasgow occasionally has shades of New York in its rigid grid structure, then The Pot Still is the city’s equivalent of a divey Manhattan corner bar.
The Laurieston is the most famous pub in Glasgow, and after one drink inside you’ll see why: it’s a portal to another time and really does have one of the most special atmospheres of any pub anywhere
SWANSEA
THE BUILDERS ARMS, OXFORD STREET, SA1 3HT
Brick pillars, faded Victorian wallpaper, a Morrisesque carpet – The Builders Arms is one of those truly special pubs you could spend entire days in.
THE RAILWAY INN, SILOH ROAD, SA1 2NX
This sporting pub is situated a stone’s throw away from the Liberty Stadium, and as such gets pretty packed on match days. ‘Probably the best pub in the world’ proclaims a sign out front – probably not, but a very decent establishment.
A sporting pub, The Railway Inn is situated a stone’s throw away from the Liberty Stadium, and as such gets pretty packed on match days
CARDIFF
THE FOUR ELMS, ELM STREET, CF24 3QR
The perfect beer garden to sink pints with your mates in, as the late summer sun sets.
THE GOLDEN CROSS, HAYES BRIDGE ROAD, CF10 1GH
One of the best LGBTQ+ pubs around, with an exceptional tiled exterior.
The Golden Cross is one of the best LGBTQ+ pubs around, and has an exceptional tiled exterior
BELFAST
MADDENS, BERRY STREET, BT1 1FJ
The nicer and more traditional version of Kelly’s Cellars round the corner. Just on the edge of town on the way out towards the west. Good place for traditional music.
THE REPORTER, UNION STREET, BT1 2JF
Always quite a nice crowd because of its proximity to the Kremlin, the city’s sole Russia-themed gay nightclub. Décor is mainly old newspaper headlines. Some cute snugs at the back.
Maddens is the nicer and more traditional version of Kelly’s Cellars round the corner. Just on the edge of town on the way out towards the west. Good place for traditional music
Adapted from The Pub by The Fence (Ebury Publishing, £16.99). © The Fence 2025. To order a copy for £15.29 (offer valid to 29/10/25; UK P&P free on orders over £25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
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