Pubs in Inverness
Discover the best pubs and bars in Inverness. Browse opening hours, menus, events, and more.
Found 59 pubs in Inverness — Page 1 of 5
Phoenix Ale House
106-110 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LX
A choice selection of real ales, mainly Scottish, beckon with at least six handpumps on all the time when you walk in through the front door, with another four the other side at busier times of the year. The main bar has a stylish centre gantry, however the iconic island bar (CAMRA listed) is otherwise unchanged, surrounded by a spittoon and there is even talk of sawdust returning! Mostly standing only but popular with tourists and those who know their ales! The restaurant next door has plenty of seating for hearty meals all day. Phone / tablet out of juice? There is a USB "tower" to top up the charge, but you may need the connecting cable.
Palace Hotel
8 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5NG
The Palace Hotel & Spa is nestled on the banks of the River Ness, opposite Inverness Castle, and is is just a few short steps from Inverness city centre. Dating back to the 1890′s, the Palace Hotel Inverness combines the best of the past with the contemporary style of the present with elegant interiors, comfortable bedrooms and a superb Leisure Club & Spa. The bar osed to have Isle of Skye Red on the single handpump, now only bottled beers in the fridg
Lauders
16 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EB
This is a "seasonal" paragraph - during the "quieter" months, between October and March, Lauders does not have real ale. Lauders claims it is the "Friendliest Pub in Inverness", and the H&WI branch would welcome that you test that assertion. Whilst it may have had a "dubious past" under previous PubCos in the "noughties", since 2014 Stonegate have turned Lauders round from the "boozer" reputation it had to a must visit "wet" pub. No food other than "nibbles" available. Inside more than 10 screen show sports in the high ceiling "L" shaped bar which has a mixture of high and low table seating, and displays of painted kegs at high level. Situated on Church Street at the corner of Baron Taylor's Street, the pleasant (real) floral displays reflect the congenial atmosphere inside. Probably, the best "value" real ale in Inverness, and for CAMRA members an additional 50p off a pint using the Real Ale Discount Scheme vouchers. Watch out for the revolving door (only one at a time please!) seems to run on greased bearings - easy to get in, but unlikely to be tested that hard on leaving - if you want to leave at all!
Chieftain
2 Millburn Road, Inverness IV2 3PS
The Chieftain has stopped selling real ale from its single hand pump. We are leaving the listing in the hope that one day it will return. The Chieftain is a friendly, lively Inn on the outskirts of the city but within 5 minutes of the centre with its transport links and cultural venues. All 14 rooms at this hotel are en-suite and have recently been extensively refurbished. Now under the tenancy of the Lawson family you are assured of a warm welcome. Good value traditional food is served. The separate sports bar has 5 pool tables. The "badged" real ale WAS Cheiftain House Ale from the Punch stable.
Corriegarth
5-7 Heathmount Road, Inverness IV2 3JU
One of the Highland capital's oldest private hotels, constructed around 1840. It has had a mixed life from a primary school, doctors surgery as well as once used by the RAF and Royal Navy during WW2 as an officers club. Situated in the Crown area of Inverness, a five minute walk from the city centre and has six individually styled en-suite bedrooms. It has recently been refurbished to a high standard and is a very comfortable, friendly place. In addition to Happy Chappy there is a House ale and an ever changing guest ale.
R&Bs
73 Queensgate, Inverness IV1 1DG
R&B's is the new home of Karaoke in Inverness after Gunsmiths (round the corner) relocated there.
Fairways Loch Ness Golf Course
Castleheather, Inverness IV2 6AA
When Fairways opened the 18 Hole, 6772 yards, SSS 72, Par 73 Loch Ness Golf Course in 1996, its goal was to create a different type of golf destination: more a friendly bar with a golf course than a golf course with an unwelcoming clubhouse. The smaller Sports Bar has the TV No accommodation, but Fairways Travelodge 50 meters away. Very popular in the evening - it is the only pub within walking distance for some miles. Operates a loyalty card scheme for social membership (£33). Load the membership card with cash and get an extra 10% added. Also "free" round of golf (normally £32) once a year.
Gellions
14 Bridge St, Inverness IV1 1HD
Gellions is THE oldest pub in Inverness and dates back to 1841 and is named, as was the practice then, after the licencee who was a woman. Gellions (pronounced "Gellons" by the locals) now has two bars, Monty's snug, and the Bridge Bar. Monty's Snug opens at 9 (no RA) and closes earlier than Bridge bar which remains open until closing time and has two hand pumps. Access to Monty's snug is via an alleyway to the right hand side of the front of the pub. Many, many licencees ago (20+ years?) real ale was available, but the rumors of real ale returning have now been proven correct because at the beginning of August 2014 first one, then two hand pumps appeared in the Bridge Bar. Hopefully the number will increase - well there is no harm in wishes! There is music every night starting at 9.30 Mon to Fri, but every Saturday and Sunday from 5.00 there is a Ceilidh with music from the resident Scottish folk band, "Schiehallion". You know when one of the bosses is in because the Mini with "personal" plates - GE11ONS - is parked outside! In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the pub offers a "creche" facility for the ladies to drop their other halves off whilst shopping!
Keg
30-32 Baron Taylors Sreet, Inverness IV1 1QG
The Keg does not sell real ale (yet) but is included so as to include all the licensed premises in the Highlands & Western Isles Branch Area. From another listing:-- A 'locals' bar in a city centre just about sums The Keg up. This place is very much a bar for regulars - "usual please" can be heard very often. It is cheap for drinks and despite a fearsome reputation is actually rather friendly, especially so if you are ever "welcomed into the bosom" by one of the regulars. Don't be surprised to see some rough-housing (the regulars call it play-fighting) and there are never any bouncers as any issues are usualy dealt with "in-house".
Fluke
Culcabock Road, Inverness IV2 3XQ
The Fluke does not serve real ale (yet) but is included so as to include all the licensed premises in the Highlands & Western Isles Branch Area. Situated two miles from Inverness city centre, close to Raigmore Hospital and next to Inverness Golf Club, the Fluke is a one bar operation with separate areas. To one end there is a big screen, pool table and darts boards. At the other, the lounge end, is the main dining area. No accommodation, but several hotels and guest houses nearby. An All-Inns pub, part of the Our Family Pub chain focused on the family market, one of a collection of 85 individual family dining pubs around the UK.
Waterfront
70-71 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5JN
The Friars Shot opened its doors over 100 years ago, and was named after the Dominican Friars who cast or "shot" their fishing nets across the River Ness. Subsequently called the Black Bull, and more recently Waterfront. Devastated by a kitchen fire in December 2011, the Waterfront now serves what many have described as the best value pub grub in Inverness. One of the offerings - "The Highland Tapas" allows you to try all of the local delicacies. Tucked at the end of Huntly Street close to the A82 Bridge over the River Ness it can be reached by the pedestrian suspension footbridge from town and is worth the walk, just for the view upstream, and for that strange sensation! Vehicular access also, but the one way system outside the pub may defeat you! Only one hand pump offering well kept Cairngorm ales - normally Santa's Sledgehammer around Xmas time.
Blackfriars
93-95 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LU
After a £1.36 million investment, what was a very “tired” Blackfriars has been transformed and proudly reopened on Friday 8th November 2019 after a closure of just over 2 years. The building itself is "Category B" listed and dates back to 1793, and has had a varied life, including that of a "Temperance Hotel" - the info board outside gives a potted history. With a carefully balanced remit of both restoring and improving, other than a new roof, the outside walls and the walls of the bar area have been stripped back to the old stonework and the bar area has been enlarged by removing some walls and the customer area now provides a mix of booth and the table seating – Look out for the re-purposed cinema seats! Two handpumps offer real ales from Scotland off the Heineken / Star list, typically Fyne Ales, Jarl and Caledonian Deuchars Breakfasts are available from 07:30 for guests, and 08:30 for "walk-ins", although a full bar service does not start until 11:00. The simple menu features Scottish fare, and in the future it is hoped to source some of the herb and salad ingredients from a small garden area on the rooftop, along with honey from the bee hives. Accommodation is provided by the nine cosy en suite (shower) letting rooms, one being a family suite and another with a scroll top bath. Handy for the bus or train station (5 mins walk) but no parking, albeit out of hours only, but on street or nearby Rose Street car park (pay). As a footnote, Star Pubs initially re-branded the pub as "Mortar & Pestle", and more recently as "The Optimist" to signal its new direction, but it was decided to keep the old name on, and this is the only aspect of its past that remains. Expect a very warm welcome from Billy the manager and his staff. Phone / tablet out of juice? Plug your device into one of the many USB / power sockets located just behind the seating. Note, image of the "old" yellow frontage has been left as a contrast & compare.