
No trip to Bath is truly complete without ducking into at least one of Bath’s character-filled pubs. The city might be known best for stately Roman Baths and elegant Georgian architecture, but there’s more to this historic city than these sites. Behind its graceful facades is a buzzing pub scene, full of snug nooks, spirited conversations, and the warm, unmistakable sense of welcome that is very British.
Whether you are looking for a quiet pint by a crackling fire or a lively evening with locals swapping stories, Bath has a variety in store for you. So, if you’re wondering where to start, here is our handpicked selection of the city’s finest pubs.
5 Best Pubs In Bath
1. The Raven
2. The Marlborough Tavern
3. The Bell Inn
4. Hare and Hounds
5. The Bath Brew House
The Best Pubs In Bath
1. The Raven
The Raven is an independent gem that is well known for its love for real ale and hearty pies. It is worlds apart from the modern chain pub, offering a warm, unfussy atmosphere that captures the soul of a proper British pub.
In line with its authenticity, The Raven isn’t beholden to any single brewery. This means that its ale and cider lineup is always fresh, rotating, and diverse. Beer lovers will appreciate the house exclusives of Raven Ale and Raven’s Gold that are brewed specially for the pub. But it’s not just about what’s in your glass of beer or ale alone. The Raven also has a partnership with Pieminister. This means you can find a delicious selection of pies on the menu, including vegan and vegetarian options, all served with a generous helping of mash and rich gravy.
The Raven itself spans two Georgian townhouses, tucked away on a quiet side street just a stone’s throw from Bath’s bustling shopping district. The downstairs bar is a bit more chaotic and loud, while the upstairs dining area offers a more relaxed setting for lingering over lunch or dinner. The atmosphere at the Raven is casual, inviting, and unpretentious, just good ale, food, and camaraderie
Location: 7, Queen Street, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
9:00 am – 12:00 am (Friday – Saturday)
9:00 am – 10:30 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £14.20 – £20
2. The Marlborough Tavern
Marlborough Tavern is located just around the corner from the iconic Royal Crescent. The Tavern strikes that rare, perfect balance between neighborhood pub and top-tier dining spot, a local and tourist favorite.
The Gastropub has been honored with two AA rosettes and has nods from both The Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide. So, you can be sure that Marlborough takes its food seriously. Ingredients and produce are locally sourced and subject to season. However, what truly keeps people coming back for the food is how it refines its familiar pub fare without stripping it of its comfort-food roots. Their Sunday roasts and fish and chips are the stuff of local legends.
For drinks, the tavern serves everything from regional ales and beers and a truly impressive wine list. The walled courtyard garden also makes for a serene little hideaway that makes the experience all the more special.
Location: 35, Marlborough Buildings, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 11:30 am -11:00 pm
Price Range: £26 – £40
3. Best Pubs In Bath: The Bell Inn
The Bell Inn isn’t your average pint and crackers kind of pub. It is the scruffy and beloved institution of the Bath Community. Around 650 customers, staff, and local supporters came together to keep The Bell independent, and that ethos of inclusivity still runs deep. The pub is both a center of the community, a craft beer pub, and a music venue.
Their live music that happens several nights a week for free, ranging from soulful folk and blues to jazz, indie, and the occasional DJ set. Behind the bar is a proud lineup of seven real ales and a couple of rotating guest taps, all featuring small, independent breweries.
The ambience at the Bell is lively and just a little chaotic in the best way. It draws a mixed crowd of students, retirees, musicians, and curious travelers, who all seem to have the common ground of finding good tunes and a better pint. On cooler nights, the wood-burning stove adds a toasty charm to the pub, while warmer days open up the quirky garden, where you might just grab a pizza from a bicycle-themed food hut. There are simple pub games like bar billiards, chess, and a sense of easy camaraderie that’s hard to fake.
Location: 103, Walcot Street, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Monday – Tuesday)
1:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Wednesday – Saturday)
12:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £15 – £20
4. The Hare and Hounds
A short jaunt from Bath’s city centre atop the Lansdown Hill, the Hare and Hounds feels like a proper countryside escape, without having to leave town. The gastropub is housed in a beautiful stone building and bordered by the breathtaking views over the Charlcombe Valley.
Inside, you can easily find cozy nooks and an open fire that makes winter visits especially snug. And in the summer, the vast garden makes the Hare and Hounds just the place for lunch or a celebratory dinner. The pub is also open to your furries, so you can bring them along too.
While the view is a dream, the Hare and Hounds pairs its beautiful setting with a thoughtfully crafted menu of sausage and bacon, a full English breakfast, and a sublime Sunday roast. You can pair your meal with hot drinks like cocoa or cappuccino. However, the real star of the show at Hare and Hounds is the vast choice of beer from St Austell brewery, from Ales to Lagers to Stouts, and a wine list that almost rivals it.
Location: Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 8:30 am – 11:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Price Range: £20 – £25
5. The Bath Brew House
Just a short stroll from the center of Bath, The Bath Brew House is the go-to spot for beer lovers and social animals alike. It’s modern, lively, and like its name suggests, brews its own beer right on the premises. The in-house microbrewery keeps the beer lineup diverse with a rotating selection of their own small-batch creations, backed by a supporting cast of guest ales and craft beers.
The Brew House is also well known for its regular showing of live sports and a crowd that always seems up for a good time. Whether it’s in the Beer Garden during summer in front of a large screen or the industrial-chic interiors with a down-to-earth ambience.
The food menu is packed with pub staples that pair effortlessly with the drinks, like stacked gourmet burgers and fries. The Bath Brew House is spacious, group-friendly, and perfect for everything from match day hangouts to casual Friday nights.
Location: 14, James Street West, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am (Monday -Wednesday)
12:00 pm – 1:00 am (Thursday – Friday)
11:00 am – 1:00 am (Saturday)
12:00 pm – 11:00 am (Sunday)
Price Range: £18 – £25
Conclusion
Bath pubs are at the very center of its community and social scene. From centuries-old inns serving comforting pies to elegant gastropubs with stunning views and live bands playing beside bubbling brew tanks, Bath’s pub scene is eclectic, fun, and not a place to be missed by both tourists and locals alike.