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Cambridge Pubs, Bars and Clubs

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Top 10

1. The Free Press
2. Cambridge Blue
3. The Eagle
4. The Pickerel
5. The Anchor
6. The Punter
7. Champion of the Thames
8. Live & Let Live
9. The Kingston Arms
10. Old Spring

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★	The Anchor	The Anchor Silver Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 9EL	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 353554 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	An attractive touristy waterside pub. By a punting station, with a suntrap terrace that offers a great view of the river and punts. Busy on a hot day. Well-kept Greene King ales and good friendly service1.
	Burleigh Arms	Burleigh Arms 9-11 Newmarket Road CAMBRIDGE CB5 8EG	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 301547  Facebook  Twitter	‘Two bars, enjoyable reasonably priced food, prompt service, five ales including Black Sheep, good wines by the glass’1.
★★	Cambridge Blue	Cambridge Blue 85-87 Gwydir Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 2LG	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 471680 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	A friendly 1860s backstreet local with stacks of breweriana (brewery memorabilia) and a large garden. 14 real ales on handpump (including several German and Belgian beers), 200 bottled beers from around the world, ciders, perries and mead also stocked, a knowledgeable landlord1 and beer festivals held four times a year. Good value pub food made on the premises2. ‘Arguably the best of several fine pubs off Mill Road’3 and local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011.
	The Carlton Arms	The Carlton Arms Carlton Way CAMBRIDGE CB4 2BY	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 367422  Facebook  Twitter	Large two-roomed community pub with a large patio that sells good reasonably priced food and a wide range of beer; offers darts, pool and skittles4.
★	The Castle	The Castle 38 Castle Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AJ	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 353194 ✉ email  Facebook	Two floors (louder downstairs, peaceful upstairs) plus a suntrap garden next to the mound of the long-demolished castle. Adnams’ most westerly tied house4 offers the full Adnams beer range and several interesting guests1, plus excellent4 good value1 food.
★	Champion of the Thames	Champion of the Thames 68 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LN	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 352043  Facebook	A small, two-roomed city-centre pub with low ceilings, a student/academic clientele and a truly friendly atmosphere3. Both bars are wood-panelled with Victorian counters and bar backs4. Good Greene King and guest ales on draught3.
★	Devonshire Arms	Devonshire Arms 1 Devonshire Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 2BH	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 316610  Facebook  Twitter	A popular, light and airy Milton-tied pub with two linked bars and creaky wood floors. Up to five Milton beers are available along with guests, a real cider and a fine selection of Belgian bottled beers4. Good-quality4 low-priced1 food and cheerful chatty staff and locals1. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012.
★★	The Eagle	The Eagle 8 Benet Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QN	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 505020 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	This 17th-century pub with five cluttered cosy rooms is Cambridge’s most famous pub5 and once the city’s most important coaching inn1. The room at the back with the dark red ceiling is known as the RAF bar. During World War II British and American airmen stood on the tables and used Zippo lighters, candle smoke and lipstick to write their squadron numbers on the ceiling. Thankfully, the graffiti was preserved, including ‘Ethel of the Eagle’, a large lipstick drawing of a woman wearing nothing but a cigarette. Francis Crick and James D. Watson, the two scientists who discovered the structure of DNA, ate lunch together almost every day in The Eagle, and they usually ate in the RAF bar. On Saturday 28 February 1953 they went to The Eagle for lunch and, according to Watson, over a pint of bitter Crick announced out loud to everyone within hearing distance that they had found the secret of life (although Crick did not later remember this)6. Unsurprisingly touristy in season and gets horribly crowded.
★	The Elm Tree	The Elm Tree 16A Orchard Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1JT	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 502632 ✉ email  Facebook	Quiet, relaxed one-bar back-street pub decorated with breweriana with friendly knowledgeable staff1. Ten handpumps that dispense lovingly-tended ales plus a large menu of bottled Belgian and other foreign beers, with occasional beer tastings4. Basic lunchtime snacks4. Occasional music gigs, mainly folk and blues, and story-telling evenings are hosted4.
★	Fort St. George	Fort St. George Midsummer Common CAMBRIDGE CB4 1HA	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 354327 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	A picturesque 16th-century inn (extended around an old-fashioned Tudor core) with a riverside location on Midsummer Common. Good value bar food including traditional Sunday lunches, well-kept Greene King ales, decent wines, cheery chatty staff and lots of tables outside1.
★★	The Free Press	The Free Press 7 Prospect Row CAMBRIDGE CB1 1DU	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 368337 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Hidden on a backstreet north of Parker’s Piece, this tiny pub is quiet and unspoilt—no mobile phones, music or fruit machines. It has been a pub for over 120 years, and tends towards an older/academic clientele. Up to six real ales, 25 malt whiskies, a dozen wines by the glass and lots of rums, gins and vodkas, plus good value food1. Out the back is an intimate walled garden (non-smoking). Just as local woman Sarah Horne first opened her cottage here to the public to sell her home brew in 1834, the temperance movement launched a newspaper called The Free Press to campaign against the dangers of drinking. She named her pub after their paper in ironic mockery. The paper lasted for just one edition, the pub nearly two centuries.7 The tiny snug bar apparently once held 59 Downing students.7
	The Geldart	The Geldart 1 Ainsworth Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 2PF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 314264 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Large back-street corner pub within walking distance of the railway station, with two separate bar areas4. Diners can cook their own meat on a volcanic stone. Regular live music is hosted.
★	The Granta	The Granta 14 Newnham Terrace CAMBRIDGE CB3 9EX	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 505016 ✉ email  Facebook	Early nineteenth century picturesque waterside pub with a balcony and heated terrace overlooking the willow-fringed millpond. Inexpensive pub food, Greene King ales and a guest, helpful attentive service, nice lively atmosphere and punt hire1.
	The King Street Run	The King Street Run 86-88 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LN	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 328900  Facebook  Twitter	An eccentric pub (e.g. all the doors you should push have pull signs on and vice versa)7 named after the infamous King Street Run pub crawl, which historically involved a pint in each of eight pubs (now only four pubs remain).
★	The Kingston Arms	The Kingston Arms 33 Kingston Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 2NU	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 319414 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Classic side-street pub just off Mill Road with a small pretty walled back yard. Thriving chatty largely studenty atmosphere, friendly service, no music or children inside1. A dozen handpumps serve regular and ever-changing guest beers, cider and perry, plus a large selection of Belgian and other bottled beers is stocked. Monthly beer festivals are held in the warmer months. Award-winning food is available at all sessions4.
★	Live & Let Live	Live & Let Live 40 Mawson Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 2EA	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 460261 ✉ email  Facebook	A popular but discreet street-corner local just off Mill Road. Cosy, friendly and relaxed with sturdy varnished pine tables on bare boards, steam railway and brewery memorabilia, gas lighting (not always lit), cribbage and dominoes. Seven handpumps present an array of ever-changing guest beers, whilst the eighth handpump dispenses locally-produced Cassells cider. Lots of bottled Belgian beers. Food is restricted to snacks, but the pork pies and Scotch eggs are excellent4.
★	The Maypole	The Maypole 20A Portugal Place CAMBRIDGE CB5 8AF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 352999 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	The Castiglione family have run this friendly, locally popular traditional pub for over 30 years, and bar manager Vincent earned the local CAMRA branch’s first Real Ale Champion award in 20104. A pleasant suntrap patio provides covered space for smokers. A good selection of real ales, including lesser-known beers from smaller breweries, plus some great cocktails5. The food offering focuses on home-cooked Italian dishes. Ran a successful beer festival in 2012 which is set to become an annual event.
	The Mill	The Mill 14 Mill Lane CAMBRIDGE CB2 1RX	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 311829 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	A rather small interior but busy on a hot day when customers spill outside towards the river, given plastic glasses.
	The Mitre	The Mitre 17 Bridge Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1UF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 358403  Facebook	‘Welcoming M&B pub close to the river, rambling bar on several levels, bargain food all day including speciality fish and chips and nice pies, good friendly service, several well-kept mainly mainstream ales, farm cider, well priced wines by the glass; background music; disabled access.’1
★	Old Spring	Old Spring 1 Ferry Path CAMBRIDGE CB4 1HB	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 357228 ✉ email  Facebook	Extended bustling Victorian pub in the leafy suburb of De Freville; bright, roomy and airy with a decked patio. Well-kept Greene King IPA1, Abbot and three guests, 20 wines by the glass, good coffee1 and freshly-prepared food.
★★	The Pickerel	The Pickerel 30 Magdalene Street CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 355068  Facebook  Twitter	Dating from 1432, this multi-roomed coaching inn is allegedly the oldest pub in Cambridge8 (the sole survivor of five medieval inns by the city gate3). Low beams and some dark panelling, popular with locals and students, a lively atmosphere (can get crowded in the evenings), friendly staff and good value food served until 8pm every day1. This infamous establishment has, in the past, housed a large brothel (one of two in the street), an opium den, a gin palace and a coaching inn9.
	The Portland Arms	Portland Arms 129 Chesterton Road CAMBRIDGE CB4 3BA	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 357268 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	‘The best spot in town to catch a gig and see the pick of up-and-coming bands, the Portland is a popular student haunt and music venue. Its wood-panelled interior and spacious terrace make it a good bet any day of the week, and there’s a monthly comedy night as well’5.
★	The Punter	The Punter Pound Hill CAMBRIDGE CB3 0AE	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 363322 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	A beautifully renovated coaching house with rambling and informal linked rooms. Their highly thought of well-priced rustic food uses seasonal game and as much local and rare-breed produce as possible, plus they make their own bread1. Booking for meals may be required. The pub has a sister—The Punter in Oxford.
	The Regal	The Regal 38-39 St. Andrews Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3AR	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 366459  Facebook  Twitter	Like many other Wetherspoons pubs, The Regal is a converted cinema, and huge. The interior of the sumptuous 1930s Art Deco cinema has been more or less preserved and the size of the pub creates the atmosphere of a great ocean liner7. Very popular with the young town (as opposed to gown) crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, with a DJ until 3am.
★	St. Radegund	St. Radegund 129 King Street CAMBRIDGE CB1 1LD	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 311794  Facebook  Twitter	The smallest pub in Cambridge is a traditional free house, but conceals a strange secret under its floor—an ancient holy well. Offers a selection of up to eight real ales, mostly from local breweries, including several from Milton. ‘The interior is packed with mementos, from steam railway photos to sporting memorabilia. This is also the base of the infamous Hash House Harriers and has its own sports teams, including rowing and cricket. The rain check tree enables you to buy a drink for someone not currently present.’4

Bars

	All Bar One	All Bar One 36 St. Andrews Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3AR	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 371081  Facebook  Twitter	Chain bar, open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.
	Baroosh	Baroosh Cambridge 8 Market Passage CAMBRIDGE CB2 3PF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 309796 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Three-floor ‘bar and kitchen’ on Market Passage. Closes at 12.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
	The Castle	The Castle 37 St. Andrews Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3AR	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 525736 ✉ email  Facebook	A cafe by day, a crowded music bar weekend evenings. Also a bed and breakfast.
	Hidden Rooms	Hidden Rooms The Basement 7A Jesus Lane CAMBRIDGE CB5 8BA	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 514777 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Open until midnight six days a week; closed Sundays.
	La Raza	La Raza 5A Rose Crescent CAMBRIDGE CB2 3LL	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 464550 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Live music 2–3 times per week, also live DJs. Open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
	NOVI	NOVI 12 Regent Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1DB	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 518537 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Espresso bar during the day. Bar and kitchen opening hours: Monday–Saturday 9am–1am, Sunday 9am–11pm. Cocktail bar opening hours: Wednesday–Saturday 5pm–3am.
	Nusha	Nusha 7A Cambridge Leisure Park Clifton Way CAMBRIDGE CB1 7DY	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 247777 ✉ email  Facebook	Cocktail bar.
	The Q Club Cambridge	The Q Club Cambridge 1 Station Road CAMBRIDGE CB1 2JB	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 07940 984505 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Alternative nightclub, opening hours 9pm to 2am.
	Ta Bouche	Ta Bouche 10-15 Market Passage CAMBRIDGE CB2 3PF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 462277 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Bar-restaurant on Market Passage. Open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
	The Vaults	The Vaults 14A Trinity Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 1TB	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 506090 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Bar and restaurant; bar open until 1am every night.

Clubs

Top 5

1. Fez Club
2. Lola Lo
3. Ballare
4. Kuda
5. Revolution

map

	Ballare	Ballare, Cambridge 26-29 Lion Yard CAMBRIDGE CB2 3NA	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 364222 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Previously known as Ronelles, Cinderella Rockerfellas (‘Cindies’) and Fifth Avenue.
★	Fez Club	Cambridge Fez 15 Market Passage CAMBRIDGE CB2 3PF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 519224 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Cambridge’s most popular club5 provides the best clubbing in the centre3. The snug Moroccan-themed Fez is strewn with Turkish rugs and cushions. Open until 3am seven days a week, expect hip-hop, dance, R&B, techno, funk and occasional top-name DJs.
	Kuda	Kuda, Cambridge 22A Sidney Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3HG	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 324600 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	Open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights. Previously known as Life then The Place.
	Lola Lo	Lola Lo Cambridge 1-6 Corn Exchange Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QF	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 367866 ✉ email  Facebook  Twitter	‘Bringing a South Pacific vibe to the centre of Cambridge, Lola Lo specialises in cocktails and themed nights, featuring disco, current hits, club anthems and not-so-big-name DJs.’5 Spread over three floors and open until 3am seven days a week. Previously called The Soul Tree.
	Revolution	Revolution Bar Ltd 3-6 Downing Street CAMBRIDGE CB2 3DS	⍓  map 💻 website ☎ 01223 364895  Facebook  Twitter	Open until 3am seven days a week.

Bibliography

• [1] Aird A, Stapley F, editors. The Good Pub Guide 2013. London: Ebury Press; 2012.
• [2] AA Media. AA Pub Guide 2013. Sixteenth ed. Basingstoke: AA Publishing; 2012.
• [3] Stewart J. Cambridge. Thomas Cook Pocket Guides. Peterborough: Thomas Cook Publishing; 2010.
• [4] Protz R, editor. CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2013. Fortieth ed. St Albans: Campaign for Real Ale; 2012.
• [5] Else D, Berry O, Davenport F, Duca MD, Dixon B, Harper D, et al. England. Seventh ed. Footscray: Lonely Planet Publications; 2013.
• [6] Ridley M. Francis Crick: Discoverer of the Genetic Code. London: Harper Perennial; 2008.
• [7] Vay BL. Ben le Vay’s Eccentric Cambridge: A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Bradt Travel Guides (Eccentric Guides). Chalfont St Peter: Bradt Travel Guides; 2011.
• [8] Dalton N, Stone D. Frommer’s England & Best of Wales. Twenty-second ed. Chichester: Wiley; 2012.
• [9] Bullen A. Cambridge. Pitkin City Guides. Andover: Pitkin Publishing; 2010.

Links

• Cambridge Pub Guide
• The Cambridge Pubs Guide