Dog Friendly Pubs in Cambridge

A classic, cosy, side street pub, just off Mill Road. Windows and mirrors keep the interior light and welcoming. Simple tables and chairs cater for groups of many sizes while bar stools suit those who prefer to perch. The walled garden behind has canopies and heaters and is popular all year round. There are roadside cycle-racks in front. The Kingston Arms reopened in December 2020 under new licensees. It now styles itself as Kitchen, Hummus and Wine. Although real ale is still available it is less of a priority.

Bath House

3 Benet Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN

A genuinely old (17th century) inn which has had countless makeovers since being opened out into a single room. The present incarnation, with exposed timbers (mostly fake), wood panelling (some original) and open brickwork is one of the more attractive recent guises. Guest beers tend mostly to be non-Greene King, sometimes from local Milton brewery. Weston's Old Rosie cider is also available. Food served every day, 11am - 10pm and is the standard GK managed house menu though good value for the city centre.

Blue Moon

2 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LF

Since November 2013 the Blue Moon has been a sister pub to the Cambridge Blue, hence the name. As well as changing real ales, from smaller breweries, there are up to twenty craft keg beers. The pub usually has a tap takeover once a month. There are also 90+ gins available, and a good selection of rum. There are two bars, the brighter front bar contains pictures of old Cambridge pubs and an unusual wall clock. The larger, back bar is often used for events. There are colourful tables and flower tubs at the rear of the building in what was formerly a car park. Very popular pub quiz on Wednesdays. Live music mostly weekends, and frequent other events, check social media for details. Not open weekday lunchtimes, but late evening opening through the week. There is step-free access to the bar but no accessible WC. Cambridge & District CAMRA Young Members & Community (City) Pub of the Year 2020.

Mill

14 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX

Situated in a honey pot riverside location across from Laundress Green, this smallish pub was carefully refurbished by the City Pub Company in summer 2012. The improvements include an especially attractive, newly created, wood paneled side room. The bar now sports a wood-block top with eight handpumps one of which is for cider. The pub has a strong commitment to locally brewed beers. The likes of Cambridge Moonshine, Crafty Beers, Three Blind Mice and Lord Conrad's make frequent appearances as well as beers brewed at its sister pub, the Cambridge Brew House, by the Cambridge Brewing Company. An Adnams beer is generally available. Tasty, cooked on the premises, food with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. A vintage radiogram is used for playing vinyl records. Local CAMRA Young Members' Pub of the Year 2018 and Dog Friendly Pub of the Year 2019 & 2020.

Milton Arms

205 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XG

Large, popular, family friendly pub in the Greene King owned Hungry Horse group. It specializes in value for money food and televised sport with lots of special offers. The already sizable ground floor has been supplemented with extensions but still it doesn't cramp the plot. Large decking and patio garden, including children's play area, to one side and in front. Occasional live music.

Panton Arms

43 Panton Street, Cambridge CB2 1HL

Two bar pub which was once the tap for Bailey & Tebbutt's Panton brewery. The former public bar is now a comfortable seating area and doubles as a function room. The lounge is basically furnished with tables for drinkers and diners. The courtyard was the yard of the former brewery and now makes for a most attractive seating area. The former gates to the brewery are still present. Under new management since October 2020. It's hearty food is home made.

Pickerel

30 Magdalene Street, Cambridge CB3 0AF

One of several claimants to be the oldest pub in Cambridge. Whether true or not, the interior has been much altered with only portions of the internal walls remaining from what must have been a warren of little rooms. There are still a good variety of drinking spaces though and some genuinely old features including roof beams, old brickwork, fireplace etc. Courtyard garden. Its constantly changing guest beers often includes regional ales. Since the Spirit Group, including Taylor Walker, was taken over by Greene King, beers from the Bury St Edmunds brewer are more in evidence than previously. Weston's Old Rosie cider is also available. A pickerel is a baby pike.

Punter

Pound Hill, Cambridge CB3 0AE

Cask Marque Accredited

Attractive pub with sunny courtyard and separate former stables now transformed into beautifully furnished dining and function rooms. A short walk from the Cambridge Backs, hence its current name. Although specializing in fine dining, with daily changing menu, it also serves well kept ales. The house beer, Punter Blonde, is Oakham Citra. Guest beers often include ones from Mad Squirrel, Oakhams and Adnams. Sunday hours also apply on bank holidays.

Salisbury Arms

76 Tenison Road, Cambridge CB1 2DW

Recently refurbished large Victorian pub with a single steel topped bar. Amongst the posters on the walls are ones for some of earliest Cambridge CAMRA Beer Festivals. The pub boasts a wood-fired pizza oven in which they cook pots as well as pizzas. There is a small courtyard area to the back which acts as the smoking area. In the late 1970s the pub formed part of the short lived chain of CAMRA-owned pubs and some people still call it "the CAMRA pub".

Six Bells

11 Covent Garden, Cambridge CB1 2HS

Small, side-street pub off Mill Road, close to Fenners cricket ground. Traditional two bar pub in front with modern extension behind. There is an enclosed garden behind as well street-side tables out front. A real community pub which attracts locals, students, knitters, pub quizzers, art, book, music & poetry buffs as well as pool and darts players. Home cooked food. Thursday steak nights are popular. Cambridge branch Community pub (city) 2014.

Tall Trees

67 Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EN

Converted from the Spread Eagle in 2005, the eagle still sits above the main entrance. After 16 years as the Snug on 22 September it reopened as Tall Trees with live music a key part of its offering. Live music Wednesday to Saturday, Wednesday is Open Mic night No food served at the moment, occasional food trucks.

Alexandra Arms

22 Gwydir Street, Cambridge CB1 2LL

Refurbished in 2014 to give a modern, kitchen style. In 2015 it was taken on by Hayley & Steve of Portland Arms fame. There are three distinct areas on two levels. Wooden flooring with tables. The bar faces the windows onto the street and has an additional small serving counter for the back area. Attractive enclosed garden to the rear with a recetly built garden room. A Greene King Local Hero pub, mainly free of tie allowing beers from micros to be served. A few Green King beers plus guests frequently including Oakham ales. Food is home made and includes a range of burgers with bread from a local bakery. 2 for 1 offer on burgers Monday to Friday lunch and on Saturdays evenings a free bottle of house wine with two main meals.

Waterman

32 Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 3AX

Accommodation

Substantially Refurbished in 2017 by the City Pub Company. The J-shaped interior has three main areas around a central bar. A split level patio with decking at the rear of the pub leads to the potting shed, an indoor area that serves as a function room. Cask beers from the Cambridge Brew House are joined by one or two other cask beers and a changing range of craft keg beers. Cambridge & District CAMRA Most Improved (city) Pub 2018.

White Swan

107-109 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2AZ

Popular late night corner pub situated on Cambridge's busy Mill Road. There is a strong sports focus with 4 large televisions showing various different events. Split across multiple bars at various levels and a beer garden to the rear. An extensive menu is offered specializing in simple pub food. The White Swan was refurbished in August 2017.

Town & Gown

8 Market Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PF

Function Room

Formerly the Arts Cinema it opened in 2002 following a stylish conversion as Baroosh, a large, multi-floored bar-cum-restaurant owned by McMullen's. In 2019 it shut and underwent a further conversion finally reopening in September 2020 as the Town and Grown, Pub & Theatre. The top floor is the Black Box Theatre for live performances. Some features dating back to its days as the Arts Cinema have been uncovered and restored. The pictures currently date from its Baroosh days. Four cask ales and four keg beers, all McMullen's, are available. Extensive food menu.

Carlton Arms

Carlton Way, Cambridge CB4 2BY

This large two roomed community pub was reopened in July 2011 after a fire in the upstairs living accommodation caused considerable damage. There is a comfortable lounge with a large area available for diners, while the public bar has darts and pool to offer. There is also a large patio garden which is ideal for warmer weather. Good, reasonably priced, food is available. Pie night Tuesdays. Spanish food Fridays. Sunday carvery. Breakfasts served from 9:30 every day except Sunday. Its ales and up to 10 real ciders are gravity dispensed in the tap room. Branch Cider Pub 2014.

Pint Shop

10 Peas Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PP

When it opened, in November 2013, this was Cambridge's first new pub in over a decade but it started a trend. An impressive Georgian townhouse, EM Forster once lived here, formerly used as Cambridge University's pensions office. Extensively refurbished with multiple rooms across three floors providing a variety of drinking and dining areas. The rear terraced patio garden provides for outdoor eating and drinking and is separated from the smokers' alley. Two real ciders and four changing cask ales are joined by 24 keg beers from both the UK and the rest Europe, with an emphasis on craft. The handpumps for the cask ales and real ciders (listed on separate boards above the main keg beer list) are in the smaller section of the bar but ordering them is normally at the main bar. The keg beer prices quoted on the board are for the volumes listed alongside. Food is upmarket, but homemade cold bar snacks are available at all times if you do not fancy a full meal.

Travelodge (Newmarket Road)

180-190 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8HF

Airy, modern 24 hour bar in 219 room hotel which opened in 2013. Large TV. No real ale. Budweiser & Stella plus cans and bottles only. Breakfast available 7-10, 8-11 weekends and bank holidays. Evening meals 5-10pm.

Queen Edith

Wulfstan Way, Cambridge CB1 8QN

The first new build pub in Cambridge for around 30 years, this is Milton brewery's third pub in the city. A pub of the same name was sited to the rear of the current pub and was demolished to make way for housing. Mock Georgian design inside and out. The larger bar to the left of the entrance has large windows on two sides and a wood burning stove. The other bar has wooden booths down one side. Regular and changing Milton ales. Quiz night Mondays. Open mic night first Saturday of month.

Royal Standard

292 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3NL

The Royal Standard was originally built before most of the Victorian housing in the Romsey Town area was, thanks to a far-sighted brewer who presumably predicted the expansion of Mill Road past the railway line - it's at a slight angle to the road, probably as a result of predating it. Following almost a decade when it was a restaurant and then a charity shop, and after several rounds of planning applications from the developers who bought the site, the Royal Standard reopened on 22nd October 2015 as a pub, albeit smaller, and with a vastly reduced garden. It immediately became a fine addition to Cambridge's pub scene. Bottled beers, changing keg beers (including Duchesse de Bourgogne) are frequently Belgian but there are plenty of British options as well, including locally and regionally brewed cask ales. Locally produced real cider available. Wide selection of gins. Greek food. Branch Most Improved City Pub 2016.

Old Bicycle Shop

104 Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DP

Located in the former Howe's cycle shop it became the third City Pub Company premises in Cambridge when it opened in May 2016. It has since been followed by two others with another in the pipeline. Beers from the Brew House are always available, along with some from other breweries. As well as three or four beers on handpump there are also a number of craft keg beers available. Attractively decorated with memorabilia that celibates it's former role as a cycle shop. There is also an upstairs wood panelled room for private dining. The food is well prepared modern cuisine. The majority of the space is given over to dining but there is a decent sized area at the front for drinkers

Calverley's Brewery Tap

23A Hooper Street, Cambridge CB1 2NZ

Located in a former stable and garage close to Mill Road, the brewery was established here in September 2013. In late 2015 they started opening each Saturday for off sales and later also for on sales. Their beers proved so popular that Calverley's are now also open on other days. They usually offer one of their beers served direct from the cask plus several others from keg and even some canned and bottled. The cask ale often sells out before Saturday evening. In September 2020 their Tap Room moved to an adjacent unit with more seating as well as improved toilet facilities, including disabled toilets. They now also have a deal with nearby Scott's All Day who will deliver pizzas to the tap room. Cambridge & District CAMRA Young Members' Pub of the Year 2019. Calverley's Porter won Silver in Champion Beer of Britain (Winter) 2019.

Station Tavern

2 Station Square, Cambridge CB1 2GA

A Young's pub on the ground floor of the Ibis Hotel on Station Square. It first opened its doors in March 2017. Large main room decorated in a modern, industrial style with bare brick walls, exposed ducting and an open view into its kitchens. Plenty of seating around its peninsular bar. Separate function room, The Sidings. Its real ales include some LocAles from Milton and Moonshine as well as Young's beers. Food ranges from brunch and sandwiches through to classic pub meals and beyond. Sunday quiz night.

Petersfield

2 Sturton Street, Cambridge CB1 2QA

The former White Hart became the acclaimed Backstreet Bistro in 2004 but returned to being a pub on 23rd February 2017. The Petersfield becomes the fifth City Pub Company premises in Cambridge. Real ales include those brewed at sister pub the Cambridge Brew House. The entrance leads into a large L-shaped main bar, decorated in a fairly traditional manner with modern touches. There is also a more intimate smaller room behind the bar. There are five handpumps, which will have at least one or two Cambridge Brew House beers with the rest dispensing ever-changing guest beers. The terrace outside has separate non-smoking and smoking areas.

Thirsty Biergarten/Wintergarten

Rear of Mackay's, 85 East Road, Cambridge CB1 1BY

Founded in 2017 on Riverside in the grounds of the Cambridge Museum of Technology at the Old Pumping Station. In 2018, Biergarten relocated to St Giles Churchyard at the foot of Castle hill and Wintergarten to the Gonville Hotel opposite Parker's Piece. For 2019, from 19th April, Biergarten will be behind Mackays (enter from New Street). The pictures are of various locations. Biergarten is an off-shoot of Thirsty on Mitcham's Corner and operates at weekends over the warmer months. "Craft" keg beers, real ciders, wines & spirits served in German Biergarten style surroundings. Wintergarten has giant tipis, fire-pits etc. Thirsty also run an Oktoberfest Biergarten over a late September weekend. Thirsty outlets are cash-free. Card payments only. Gourmet food vans are present at all sessions. Biergarten 2019 didn't reach the expected level of popularity and ceased in mid-June.

Old Ticket Office

Unit 1, Cambridge Railway Station, Cambridge CB1 2JH

When it opened its doors in June 2018 the Old Ticket Office became the seventh City Pub Company outlet within Cambridge. Tables outside on Station Square. Attractive interior decor, painted in GNER green, giving it the feel of a traditional station bar even though it only recently became one. Five hand pumps and 16 keg beer taps. The ales often include those brewed by the Cambridge Brewing Company at sister pub the Cambridge Brewhouse as well as others from regional small breweries. The food ranges from scotch eggs and sausage rolls through to its house pie. Cambridge & District CAMRA New/Most Improved Pub of the Year 2019.

NCI Centre

Holland Street, Cambridge CB4 3DL

Sports TV

The building was donated by the vicar of St Luke's church on Victoria Road in 1885 and was originally intended to be used as a reading room. The club building is run by a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The self funding bar is run by a Community Interest Company and is open to anyone. Usually three of the handpumps are in use. One handpump serves ale supplied by Greene King. The other two generally serve beers from regional brewers, often Lacons. As well as having its own bar, the nearby Bacchanalia beer & wine shop also runs pop-up pub events. The Cambridge NCI Cricket Club runs men's, ladies', midweek, Sunday and junior teams. The club is also the base for the Cambridge Sub-Aqua Club.

Othersyde

The Engineer's House, Riverside, Cambridge CB5 8HN

Opened Easter 2019 between the Engineer's House and the Museum of Technology on Riverside, a location formerly used by Thirsty for Biergarten. Othersyde consists of a cafe unit and a bar unit. No cask ales but 8 taps of keg beers mostly from local breweries Three Blind Mice and BrewBoard. Seating is outside with some under cover. Seating inside structures will be available in the winter. Beautiful westward views across the River Cam. Card payments only.

BrewDog

15 Bene't Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN

WiFi

Located in the former Cau restaurant, the much anticipated BrewDog bar opened its doors for the first time on Friday 30th August 2019. Its wall offers 25 taps of craft beer and a cider. On the bar there is also a tap for "Cask" which is real ale in a keykeg. Spread over two floors, you enter at the bar area. Further back and upstairs there are tables and alcoves for drinking and eating at.

Cambridge Tap

23 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge CB2 3AR

New bar in what was formerly a branch of the Cambridge Building Society. Opened on Thursday 2 December 2021 offering burgers, craft beer and cocktails.

Burleigh Arms

9-11 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8EG

Cask Marque Accredited

Large two bar pub and one time taproom of the Star Brewery. The bar to the right is set out for dining. The bar to the right is tabled but more pub like although you can also eat here. Attractively decorated in a classy style. Two-level wooden floors with rugs and painted wood panelled walls in both sides. The drinkers side contains framed posters depicting bottle labels of Star brewery beers. Attractive rear patio garden. Beers, both cask and keg, are from Charles Well’s Brewpoint brewery. Home-cooked classic dishes are served everyday from midday. The Burleigh Arms reopened in early October 2021 under a new licensee.

Cambridge Blue

85-87 Gwydir Street, Cambridge CB1 2LG

Ever popular, single bar, side street pub with large extension leading to the garden and often marquee which can be heated. A collection of breweriana and pump clips provide the decoration. Up to 14 changing beers sourced from micro breweries nationally served by hand pump or gravity from the tap room. Regular beers from Animal (XT). There are several taps for interesting keg beers. Up to ten real ciders and perries, both local and national. Two large fridges hold an impressive selection of international bottled beers. Its main beer festival is held in June.

Carpenters Arms

184-186 Victoria Road, Cambridge CB4 3DZ

Accommodation

A 19th century street corner pub that was saved from conversion to residential use by a planning inspector in 2011. It then went though a few of changes in licensee before it became part of Charles Wells' Pizza Pots Pints wing in December 2017. Following extension and major reshaping work that saw it opened out with the bar relocated to the side, the pub reopened on 5th April 2018. Its four hand pumps offer Courage Directors, one from Young's one from Well's Wandering Brewer Project plus one other. Food is focused on pizzas and pots cooked in its stone oven.

Castle Inn

38 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AJ

Dating from 1740s the pub was acquired by Adnams in 1994 and respectfully renovated by them. Family run, it offers a great selection of the brewery's own beers, plus their seasonal offerings and two or more changing guests. Originally two buildings, they have been combined to give a number of separate drinking areas over two floors, including a downstairs snug. To the rear is a suntrap garden next to the mound of the long-gone castle. Excellent food served every session, including a wide selection of specials.

Champion of the Thames

68 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1LN

This small, two-room city-centre pub has a truly friendly atmosphere. It's one of the four remaining pubs on the King Street Run pub crawl, which involved a pint in each of the eight pubs with no lavatory stop. The oarsman after whom the pub is named is commemorated in the fine etched windows. Both bars are wood-panelled with Victorian counters, fixed benches and a part-glazed partition between the rooms. It is on the National Inventory as having a historic pub interior of regional importance. The humour and chatter of customers predominates. You know you're in Cambridge when you see the adverts to view University Challenge here. The ales from Greene King and its guest list are very well kept. Pub snacks available. There is step-free access to the bar but no accessible WC. Cambridge & District CAMRA Community (city) Pub of the Year 2018.

Clarendon Arms

35-36 Clarendon Street, Cambridge CB1 1JX

Cosy, welcoming two-bar local. "Proper pubs" like this are a rarity in the city centre. The Clarendon was taken on by Laurence Dixon (of the Champion of the Thames fame) in 2013. The right hand room has a bare boarded floor and half timbered walls. It is mainly used for dining. The main bar is on two levels, the upper one having a stone flagged floor. Out the back is a small sun-trap courtyard. Up to five cask ales are on handpumps. Weston's Old Rosie cider is also available. Home made, locally sourced food is served most lunchtimes and evenings.

Anchor

Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EL

Recently transferred to Greene King's Real Pub brand, and redecorated in their interpretation of modern alehouse style. Large pub overlooking the Mill Pond and which rambles over four levels. The food-oriented Riverview bar is at the top then there's a smallish lobby/lounge on the ground floor with comfy chairs, padded benches a not-real fire and polished floorboards. Steps lead down to the split-level Riverside Bar, once home to a Jazz Club frequented by one Roger Barratt - he so admired one of the resident musicians, his near-namesake Sid Barrett that he changed his own name to Syd. He then went on to form little known local combo, Pink Floyd. Doors lead from there out to the riverside terrace. The building itself dates back to 1843 when part of the site was used for mooring boats, hence the name. The guest beer range is ever changing, including local breweries like Black Bar and Fellows and from further afield in East Anglia. The big GK brands are not a regular presence, though some of the lesser known beers may appear.

Corner House

231 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JE

Parking

Attractive 1930s pub with a half-brick, half-timbered exterior. The main bar has a stage in an alcove area and live music happens two to five times a week. The bar also has a real fire, bare board floors, high ceilings and a traditional bar counter and bar back. The light and airy dining room also has a real fire. To the rear of the pub is a covered patio garden and also an open garden. Its three guest ales change weekly. Home cooked food is served 12 - 3 (not Monday) and 5 - 9 during the week and all day weekends. Gluten-free meals are a speciality and the West African curries have a strong following. Student saver menu. Roasts available on Sundays. The Corner House had an extension and refurb in summer 2019. Cambridge & District CAMRA Most Improved (City) Pub 2020.

Architect

43 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AH

Attractive mock-Tudor pub opposite Shire Hall. The bar has been re-furbished giving it a modern feel. The bar area is all on one level with a large disabled toilet. A cosy area at the back was reconfigured to give access to a small partly covered courtyard. Guest beers include some from local breweries and it is our 2015 LocAle (City) pub. Sunday lunches. 2 for 1 pizzas Tuesday evenings. 2 for 1 steaks Wednesday evenings.

Devonshire Arms

1 Devonshire Road, Cambridge CB1 2BH

Rescued from decline and opened in 2010 as Milton Brewery's first pub in Cambridge. Just off Mill Road, the Dev attracts a mix of characters for beer, food and a chat. A deceptively large pub given its small frontage there are also small patio areas both front and back. Inside it was impressively renovated with front and rear drinking areas offering a mixture of wooden booths and larger tables. Tall windows and a high ceiling with fans. Generally five Milton cask ales are available including at least one dark beer with a further three guests from other micros. There are also bottles and two keg beers including Moravka unpasteurised lager plus two ciders. Good quality food, including pizzas cooked in their own stone bake oven, on offer at all sessions. A beer festival during the first weekend of December coincides with the Mill Road Winter Fair.

Dobblers Inn

184 Sturton Street, Cambridge CB1 2QF

A true community local with regulars drawn from all walks of life. The pub is very big on sport, both in terms of showing events on TV and in being HQ for many teams - football, cricket, darts, cribbage, pool etc. Popular quiz night every Tuesday. Cask Marque accredited. Occasional Cider and Beers Festivals. The pub was once part of the CAMRA Investments portfolio and most of the decor dates back to then (previously a Whitbread pub called the City Arms). Cambridge & District CAMRA (City) Community Pub of the Year 2019.

Earl of Beaconsfield

133 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3AA

Busy urban corner local with an Irish feel, with regular Irish music nights, though there's also a blues jam one night a week. Irish paraphernalia adorns the walls. Simultaneously the first and last pub in the Romsey town area of Cambridge. No kitchen, but Pizza is available all day from the bar, and there are plans to extend the food range in the future. Beer garden at the rear which leads on to a bar billiard room. Real ales £3 a pint on Wednesdays.

Earl of Derby

129 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1PG

Accommodation

Single bar pub hosting jam sessions on Saturday nights. The scattered pillars betray the footprint of the old three-room layout. Bare-boarded floor, walls painted red, ochre and green and a nice mix of furniture (including some leather settees).Accommodation is available in rooms above the pub and in an annexe to the rear and built in style similar to the existing building. Opens 7.30am (8.30 Sunday) for breakfast. Two changing guest beers are from Greene King range.

Elm Tree

16a Orchard Street, Cambridge CB1 1JT

This relaxed backstreet pub is decorated with brewery memorabilia, quirky bric-a-brac and photos of regulars. The flags and crests on the ceiling are of Belgian towns and regions. A small bar on entry with a narrow seating area extending from front to back. Tables outside. Seven hand pumps dispense several changing Charlie Wells ales, the remainder being used for guest ales from small breweries nationwide. A real cider or perry is also served. To complement these there is a printed menu of about 100 bottled Belgian beers, with occasional beer tastings - the landlord has written a small but informative book on Belgian Trappist Beer, if expert advice is needed. Regular live music. There is step-free access to the bar but no accessible WC.

Empress

72 Thoday Street, Cambridge CB1 3AX

This corner backstreet local in the Romsey Town area of Cambridge is ever popular, serving the community for many years. Three main drinking areas form a U-shape around the central bars. Pool, darts and bar billiards are played, as well as a range of board games. Regular beer festivals are held. Large patio garden with gazebo adjoining the building. Some may regard the annual festive decoration as excessive.

Free Press

7 Prospect Row, Cambridge CB1 1DU

Close to Parker's Piece, this intimate, friendly pub serves high-quality food and great beer. The rare Greene King XX Mild was its best seller until Greene King stopped brewing it regularly. Pub regulars still cuss when GK are mentioned. Guest beers are from Greene King's seasonal and guest lists. Weston's Old Rosie cider is also available. It has an interesting selection of unusual spirits such as English whisky and a range of bottled beers. A pub since 1834, it just survived the 1970s Kite area redevelopment. It is identified by CAMRA as having a regionally important historic pub interior. Only the tiny snug is from the original pub. The other two rooms are a loving reconstruction. Local pictures, historic newspapers and printing type cases containing nick-nacks decorate the walls. The rowing eight bow hanging from the front bar ceiling is from the crashed 1984 Cambridge varsity boat. When students relished a frivolous challenge, Downing once got 59 in the snug. Bench seating out front and a walled garden at the rear.

Geldart

1 Ainsworth Street, Cambridge CB1 2PF

Large two-bar backstreet corner pub with enclosed patio garden behind. Decorated throughout with film and music memorabilia. Don't miss the glass piano. The handpumps are musical instruments. Food menus in the diners' bar are written on 12 inch vinyl. Local artists exhibit their paintings here. The Geldart has an excellent reputation both for its food and its drink. The larger room to the right is mainly for diners and functions. To the left of the entrance is the drinkers side with eight ales and a wide selection of malt whiskies and rums. The changing guest beers are from small breweries nationwide and always include a dark beer. Good homemade food includes 'hot rocks' available in both bars. Bar snacks include biltong from cattle grazed on Midsummer Common. Frequent live music.

Granta

14 Newnham Road, Cambridge CB3 9EX

Superbly situated smart, one-bar pub, understandably popular with tourists. A verandah and patio garden both have lovely views over the Mill Pond. Punts can be hired next to the pub. Food served every day with occasional summer barbecues. The guest ales are drawn partly from GK's own products but can also include the interesting and unusual. Quiz night on Tuesdays.

Grapes

19 Histon Road, Cambridge CB4 3JB

Live Music

Capacious and welcoming community local. The wooden-beamed ceilings, now painted white, and stained-glass windows are all that survive from the Thirties original. The open-plan layout cleverly offers several nooks and crannies. The guest beers come from Greene King's own list. Good honest pub grub. Breakfasts available 10 - 12 on Fridays and Saturdays. Pool table. Live music Saturday nights.

Green Dragon

5 Water Street, Cambridge CB4 1NZ