Pubs in Bolton
Discover the best pubs and bars in Bolton. Browse opening hours, menus, events, and more.
Found 119 pubs in Bolton — Page 1 of 10
Ainsworth Arms
606 Halliwell Road, Bolton BL1 8BY
A large landmark pub at the junction of Halliwell Road and just off the ring road. It is named after the Ainsworth family, who made their wealth from bleaching and were owners of the nearby historic Smithills Hall during the 1800's. Ownership of the pub transferred in 2014 to Welcome Taverns and in 2020 to Tonge Leisure. There was an extensive refurbishment to create a high quality finish with solid wood floors and leather seating. Thankfully the layout has been preserved. The main bar area has a split level and a small and cosy snug has been retained. The pub has up to six changing guest beers from a combination of local and national breweries varying from week to week, note that the number of beers will be reduced midweek. There is a dart board and pub games are available. The pub now seems to be regaining its status as a popular and welcoming community venue.
Alma Inn
152 - 154 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL2 1BA
Originally only in the right hand building, the pub was extended into next door, creating a split level interior. There are some interesting decorative features; the old cast-iron range and even a tricycle hanging from one of the walls. This pub has the feel of a local alongside regular weekend gigs and music festivals, popular with rock and metal fans and can be noisy!!! Note the 'Street Graffiti' in both the ladies and gents toilets-see photos. There is outdoor seating at the rear.
Bank Top Brewery Tap
68-70 Belmont Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton BL1 7AN
This is the original tap house for the multi-award winning Bank Top Brewery, based less than a mile away. It is a popular and busy two-roomed street-corner local with a large outdoor drinking area and covered smoking shelter. The atmosphere is one of a traditional community pub with conversation to the fore and distractions limited to quiet background music and a dartboard and small, often silent TV in the bar. The pub is a showcase for locally-brewed real ale promoted by knowledgeable bar staff and has deservedly won numerous CAMRA awards. There are eight handpumps supplying ales mostly from Bank Top Brewery, with Flat Cap, Pavilion Pale and Dark Mild normally available alongside a changing range from the brewery stable. A guest beer from another brewery is available at all times on one of the pumps. Up to six cellar-cool bag-in-a-box ciders are also on offer, including flavoured varieties and some may not be classed as real by Camra see https://camra.org.uk/beer-and-cider/cider/promoting-real-cider-and-perry. Autumn Pub of the Season 2016.
Kahiki Hideout
16/18 Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1DG
No Cask Beer Available
Swan & Barristers Bar
7, Bradshawgate, Bolton BL1 1EL
A prominent pub at the heart of the town centre nightlife is a Grade II listed building dating from 1845. There are two distinct bars with shared cellar and bar staff. On the corner is the Swan which is open from 12 noon-7pm Monday to Thursday and 12 noon until late which may be 6am on Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon until 9pm. On weekend evenings it becomes a nightclub with DJ and dancefloor. At other times it is a quieter and spacious bar with TV showing racing or news, often without sound. Barristers is open the longer hours shown. It has a wood-paneled interior and is tastefully decorated to successfully recreate the traditional relaxed atmosphere of a local. There is a small TV near the bar and a larger screen around the corner. Both usually show news or sports news without sound. In the evenings, especially at weekends, the atmosphere is livelier, boosted by karaoke nights. With a mix of different atmospheres, the bars provide a welcoming and popular venue for all those who enjoy enjoy quality well-kept real ale in the town centre. It was awarded Bolton Branch Community Pub of the Year in 2019, recognising the way it actively welcomes all visitors and drinkers in the Bolton community with student nights and LGBT+ nights during the week and local music promoted at weekends. The range of cask beers varies, sometimes with more beers at weekends. Those available are usually listed on their Facebook, twitter or instagram pages. Both bars share the same cellar. There are up to 8 beers on handpump in Barristers. The Swan has a four handpumps serving a selection of the ones available in Barristers. Beers usually comprise ones from local breweries such as Bank Top, Blackedge and Moorhouses supplemented by interesting beers from further afield such as Fyne, Coniston and St Austell. There is usually at least one dark beer. A heated courtyard with tables is used as a smoking area and through which the shared toilets are accessed. Disabled toilet facilities are available. See website for details of listing - https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1387974
Bay Mare
651 Blackburn Road, Bolton BL1 7AA
The Bay Mare retains some of its historic layout with a small snug at the front and a separate room at the back now used mainly for pool. The pub has a friendly welcoming local feel that you would expect from a street corner local. There are two handpumps with one often selling Sharp's Doom Bar.
Beaumont
Armadale Road, Ladybridge, Bolton BL3 4XB
One Cask beer is usually available in this recently refurbished estate pub, Note the mural of nineteen famous 'Boltonians' depicted on the wall near the pool table- how many can you name? Best accessed from A676 Wigan Road to avoid lengthy 20 mph ring road which goes round this sprawling estate where the pub is located.
Bob's Smithy
1448 Chorley Old Road, Heaton, Bolton BL1 7PX
An intimate stone-built hostelry on the edge of the moors with panoramic views. Now has its own restaurant, it's handy for walkers and visitors to University of Bolton Stadium. The inn is some 200 years old and is named after a local blacksmith who allegedly spent more time in the pub than he did in his smithy across the road. This is a genuine free house which offers guest beers from small independent breweries. Dogs are welcome, there is a covered smoking area at the side of the pub.
Bolton Castle
520 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton BL2 3BQ
Large community pub on major road junction with lounge, snug and vault.
Doffcocker Inn
780 Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QE
Large community pub, with a central bar splits the drinking area in two. The main front doors take you into the spacious and lively bar area in which there is dart board and TV. The rear can be accessed from here or via a side door from the car park. This has a comfortable and quieter lounge with separate bar access. Regular Holt's beers are supplemented by one occasional guest often from Bootleg which is owned by Holt's. Unusually a 'calendar' pub, with windows with 365 panes of glass, 52 Doors, 28 rooms (days in a 4 week month), 12 rooms in the cellar, 7 bedrooms, 4 floors for full weeks in a month or perhaps each season.
Dragonfly
60-62 Bradshawgate, Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1DP
Large landmark pub in the heart of the nightlife area of Bolton situated on Nelson Square/Bradshawgate corner near the Samuel Crompton Statue, War Memorial and the now closed subterranean Victorian Toilets. Various refurbishments have stripped out most of the buildings internal charm leaving it as a large open plan floor space with many different seating areas on different levels. There is a Disco floor with DJ area and suspended flashing lights. By day the pub serves a menu of pub grub with discounts for Students! Whilst at weekend evenings it acts as a popular base for younger drinkers. There are a many TVs showing major sporting events during which time it can get very busy. The pub includes the only Table Tennis table in town, as well as Pool and Darts. The main area surrounding the long linear bar is painted matt black and has the Disabled Toilets at the far end. Students 20% discount
Finishers Arms
487 Church Road, Bolton BL1 5RE
Beautifully refurbished in 2015. The serving area was moved to the back wall which has opened out the main bar area. A central raised table provides a focal point for locals to meet and chat. Two rooms have been retained off the side of the bar and these provide a quieter atmosphere. Some traditional features such as the wooden beams are still visible. A range of well kept local beers are served often including the popular and award-winning Bank Top and Blackedge breweries. The pub has a history of supernatural events. A real cider often replaces one of the cask beers in the summer months. A comfortable beer garden is hidden at the back. Grade II listed building http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-475963-the-finishers-arms-number-487-and-number and http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1387968