Dog Friendly — Pubs in St. Albans

Micropub

Close to Railway Station

A novel asset to the city's beer scene. A shop specialising in British bottled conditioned and quality foreign beers with a large range. In addition there are taps for real draught ales for consumption on and off the premises. Hosts monthly beer events. See their website for more details.

Kings Arms

7 George Street, St. Albans AL3 4ER

CAMRA Discount

Building dates from the 15th century and was formerly known as the Old Kings Arms. Small front bar with restaurant - Dylan's - at the back. Three real ales, real cider and some unpasteurised and unfiltered beers available on KeyKeg dispense as well as in bottles and cans. Pub is owned and run by the Hughes family, licensees of the nearby Boot Inn and Plough at Sleapshyde.

Prae Wood Arms

Garden House Lane, St. Albans AL3 6JZ

Circa 1838 lovingly restored in 2016 lots of photo's and historical prints in a large number of adjoining rooms with classic furniture and decoration. Large garden which goes down to the river Ver. Large bar with separate seating areas for drinkers and diners. No need to order a meal, free to enjoy a wide range of locale.

Mad Squirrel Tap & Bottle Shop

17 High Street, St. Albans AL3 4EW

This former restaurant and bakery in the shadow of St Albans Cathedral has been converted into a venue with an unashamedly modern atmosphere but a reassuringly traditional welcome. Split over two levels with access from Heritage Close or Waxhouse Gate, the main bar is downstairs and boasts an array of beers across a range of styles. Three cask ales and a dozen or more keg offerings showcase Mad Squirrel's full standard and seasonal range plus guest beers mainly from smaller craft brewers. All beers are available in third and two-third measures as well as pints and halves and there are cans and bottles available to take away. Pizzas and other bar snacks available.

Beehive

2 Keyfield Terrace, St. Albans AL1 1QL

This comfortable friendly pub has two separate drinking areas in addition to the main bar. The food range includes sandwiches, burgers, fish and steaks. A traditional style town pub, with a centrally located island bar. Timber floors throughout, set over split levels. Seating to bay windows at front. Steps down to snug area to side with timber paneled walls, sofa and armchair seating, rear area has painted timber paneled walls and double door access to patio garden. Car parking nearby. Children allowed in garden only until 9pm.

Blacksmiths Arms

56 St Peter's Street, St. Albans AL1 3HG

This pub features one regular ale and four changing guests including beers from local breweries. They also have two ciders on handpump and 2 on tap. Recently redecorated, with heated beach huts outside in the garden, the pub has a friendly, lively, youthful vibe. Live music is a regular feature and they serve meals from opening in the morning. A garden room is available for hire for special occasions. A separate smoking area is provided in the garden. Dogs and families welcome. Disabled access for those in wheel chairs is limited to the main bar. A ramp can be provided on request to access the main entrance and there is a key operated disabled toilet on this level.

Boot Inn

4 Market Place, St. Albans AL3 5DG

CAMRA Discount

15th-century, city-centre, Grade II-listed pub with seven ever changing real ales. Live music Tuesday evening and a free cheese club Wednesday - bring an unusual lump of cheese. The clock tower is outside the front door with the Abbey and Verulamium Park nearby. Unusually The pub sign bears its phone number. Internal features include a low ceiling, and real fire. Food is all locally sourced. Families welcome until 6pm.

Speckled Hen

395 Hatfield Road, St. Albans AL4 0XG

Built in the 1950s by Whitbread and known as the Bunch of Cherries until Greene King took it over in September 2005. Comfy seats in the many faceted bar. Regular quizzes (general quiz Mondays, music quiz Thursdays), and BBQs on summer weekends as well as an extensive pub menu. Disabled parking spaces available. The pub offers a 10% discount on a pint of real ale for CAMRA members. A major refurbishment was completed in August 2019.

Cock

48 St Peter's Street, St. Albans AL1 3NF

Lunchtime Meals

Sports TV

Modernised, busy and well-run 17th century-built pub with TV screens in the small bar area and a large restaurant at the rear offering excellent set and a la carte menus. There is an extensive range of bottled beers.

Farmers Boy

134 London Road, St. Albans AL1 1PQ

Cosy, cottage style pub, close to St Albans City railway station. Music quiz Tuesday nights. Live music Thursday & Sunday nights. Two regular beers & three guests, plus an extensive selection of Craft canned & bottled beers. Sport on BT Sport. Enclosed outdoor drinking area. Beer festivals held in spring, summer & autumn. Three outdoor music events in the summer.

Farriers Arms

32-34 Lower Dagnall Street, St. Albans AL3 4PT

Originally a grocer's and butcher's shop during the 19th-century, it became a pub in the 1920s. It is now a classic back-street local. Tied to McMullens of Hertford for many years, became a free house in 2013. It is the only pub in the city never to have forsaken real ale. A plaque on the wall outside marks the first meeting of the Hertfordshire branch of CAMRA. The split-level interior has a small area fronting the bar for stand-up drinking, darts and cards. The back room has more comfortable seating. Both bars are free of gaming machines but there is a TV for sports. Parking can be difficult.

Snug

1 French Row, St. Albans AL3 5DU

Lunchtime Meals

Evening Meals

Now a 'Snug' bar after a major refurbishment in 2007 which kept within the boundaries of its grade I listed status. It has a single bar and four open drinking areas. A patio to the rear provides facilities for smokers. The food starts with a brunch menu offering a good range of pub food including burgers and panini, pastas and salads.

Garibaldi

61 Albert Street, St. Albans AL1 1RT

A fine example of a back-street local, in the heart of Sopwell near the cathedral, named after the 19th century Italian patriot. Serves an extensive range of Fullers ales and the landlord has won the Fuller's Master Cellarman award. Home cooked food weekend lunchtimes and afternoons (roasts on Sunday - booking advised) with excellent service provided by friendly bar staff. A genuine community pub, supporting a variety of national and local good causes, hosting regular quizzes, music and darts nights.

Victoria

82 Victoria Street, St. Albans AL1 3TU

Traditional Pub Games

Sports TV

Premium sports bar. Traditional pub food served daily. Brand new bar, interior and garden from the recent renovation. Two real ales served on hand pump, often one from a local brewery.

Goat Inn

37 Sopwell Lane, St. Albans AL1 1RN

Welcoming, traditional 15th century pub, a short walk from the cathedral and situated on the old coaching route from London. Families welcome weekend lunchtimes and afternoons. Westons Old Rosie cider available. Music third and last Wednesdays in the month. Quiz night Sunday. Games room with bar billiards, darts, dominoes, shove halfpenny and a selection of board games. Licensee is a St Austell's Tribute master.

Great Northern

172 London Road, St. Albans AL1 1PQ

Originally the Alma this pub changed name due to the nearby, closed but preserved, railway station. Situated adjacent to the Odyssey cinema this independent Grade II-listed pub reopened in 2015 after significant renovation and strives to stock at least one Herts ale. There is a pleasant contemporary feel with a menu of British classic dishes and Sunday roasts. Quiz every Tuesday and occasional poker nights. Annual Summer Beer Festival (July). Pub hours can stretch to 11.30pm

Hare & Hounds

104 Sopwell Lane, St. Albans AL1 1RL

The Hare & Hounds is a low ceiling split-level pub in the conservation area of the city, not far from the cathedral. The pub has a pleasant garden with children's play area.

Horn

Victoria Street, St. Albans AL1 3TE

Hertfordshire's premier live music pub venue is situated over the bridge next to St Albans City railway station. The Horn plays host to live music venue 6 nights per week, showcasing the best of local talent, as well as a wealth of touring, cover and tribute bands. See website for performers.

Jolly Sailor

3 Stonecross, St. Albans AL1 4AA

Karaoke

Cask Marque Accredited

The 'Jolly' offers a quiet lounge, a separate public bar and a heated smoking area. A broad customer mix uses the pub, which hosts a golf society, a pool team and two darts teams. A quiz is held on Tuesday nights. Main sporting events are shown in the public bar. An interesting range of bar snacks and meals available to compliment the good quality beers. Mid-afternoon opening Monday-Friday, the pub is open late (2am) on Friday and Saturday nights and hosts a karaoke evening on Saturdays. A Sunday roast is served.

King Harry

2 King Harry Lane, St. Albans AL3 4BL

Parking

Landmark and only pub in the St Stephens district of the city. An interesting Grade II listed building with three bar areas and two gardens. This is believed to have been a private house until 1860, when the original pub which was across the road, was demolished and relocated.

King William IV

185 Sandridge Road, St. Albans AL1 4AH

Parking

The King William IV is a warm, spacious and well-run pub restaurant a mile north of St Albans. It is busy with drinkers and diners throughout the day. It has a regularly rotating stock of popular ales from traditional brewers. Car parking is available.

Lower Red Lion

34-36 Fishpool Street, St. Albans AL3 4RX

Both bars, in this classic Grade II-listed pub, have plenty of character and history. Located in a conservation area between the city centre and the site of Roman Verulamium, the pub stands in one of St Albans' most picturesque streets. The Lower Red was an early champion of CAMRA's values in the real ale revival movement and continues to this day stocking quality real ales. Home-made food is served lunchtimes and weekday evenings. Excellent B&B also available. Note: no cash payments, card-only.

Mermaid

98 Hatfield Road, St. Albans AL1 3RL

Friendly, welcoming community local catering for both regulars and the after work crowd. Oakham Citra and five ever-changing guests are always available including a stout or porter plus 15 real ciders and perries as well as a selection of bottled foreign beers. Wednesday is music night. Two beer festivals and a 50-strong cider and perry Festival are held annually. Previous winner of branch pub of the year and regular winner of branch cider pub of the year, including 2021. Try the pies!

Peacock

13 Hatfield Road, St. Albans AL1 3RR

Lunchtime Meals

Newly refurbished pub with quiet ambience and sports TV near the town centre.

Peahen

14 London Road, St. Albans AL1 1NG

Former hotel, built at the end of the 19th century, now town centre food-oriented pub. Over 18s only after 6pm.

Portland Arms

63 Portland Street, St. Albans AL3 4RA

Warm, welcoming, traditional local pub tucked away in a residential area. A short stroll from the city centre and handy for St Michael's and the Roman Museum. Open pub fire, wood panelling and old pictures of St Albans give the pub a warm and cosy feel. Pub has WiFi access. The pub also offers a variety of live music and quiz and entertainment nights.

Rats Castle

246 Hatfield Road, St. Albans AL1 4UN

Traditional Pub Games

Jukebox

Large and lively community local in a traditional saloon bar style. With a friendly welcome, several TV screens, pool table, dart board and fruit machines, this is very much a drinkers' pub. The building is Edwardian with a later extension and internally it is decorated with photographs of old St Albans. The unusual name is thought to derive from a turnpike toll house which stood on the site and fell into rat-infested disrepair in the late 19th century. Briefly renamed the "Castle" in the 1960s by its then owner Ind Coope, the pub name was restored after a campaign by locals. A more detailed pub history can be found at https://www.stalbansowneastend.org.uk.

Robin Hood

126 Victoria Street, St. Albans AL1 3TG

Jukebox

A warm and friendly single-bar community pub handy for St Albans City station and popular with homeward-bound commuters in the evening. Also close to St Abans FC ground. Real cider is always available to complement the ever changing beer range. A secluded garden to the rear offers summer enjoyment while traditional table skittles provides entertainment all year round along with the traditional jukebox. Toasted sandwiches available lunchtimes Monday to Friday. Resident folk music Wednesday evenings. South Hertfordshire Pub of the Year in 2021.

Six Bells

16-18 St Michael's Street, St. Albans AL3 4SH

This characterful 16th-century pub is located in the attractive St Michael's village. A short walk from the city centre and Abbey, it is close to Verulamium Park and Museum. Three regular beers and three changing guests - one always from a Hertfordshire brewer. Real cider may be available on hand-pull in the summer months. Good quality home-cooked food is served lunchtimes and evenings (not Monday, Tuesday or Sunday evenings currently). Outside there is a pleasant patio area. Very dog friendly.

Craft & Cleaver

62 Catherine Street, St. Albans AL3 5BU

Dog Friendly

Refurbished in May 2015 and renamed as the Craft & Cleaver. The left hand side of the bar is dedicated as a drinking area with the restaurant area to the right. Specialising in smoked meat served in the evenings and all weekend from the smoker. To the rear is a large patio area with individual covered cubicles and outside seating providing further drinking and eating areas.

Verulam Arms

41 Lower Dagnall Street, St. Albans AL3 4QE

The Verulam Arms is now back in business as a friendly local pub. Families are welcome. Its position makes it an ideal focal point to explore the Abbey and grounds, including the quaint warren of streets, river, Roman ruins and mill of nearby St Michaels and Verulamium Park.

White Hart Hotel

23-25 Holywell Hill, St. Albans AL1 1EZ

Parking

A genuine Grade II* Tudor hotel on the old coaching route through St Albans, one of the oldest buildings in the city, situated opposite the famous Abbey. Atmospheric it is reputed to be haunted. There are two small cosy bars and an oak-panelled Tudor dining room. A pianist plays on Saturday evenings.

White Hart Tap

4 Keyfield Terrace, St. Albans AL1 1QJ

A regular in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, this is a welcoming, one-bar, back-street local featuring beers from Punch Taverns, three free of tie, mostly from microbreweries. It also brews occasional beers of varying styles on the premises. Good-value, home-cooked food is served lunchtimes and Monday to Saturday evenings with roasts on Sundays. Quiz night is Wednesday. There is a public car park opposite and a heated, covered smoking area outside. Barbecues are held in the summer with occasional beer festivals.

White Lion

91 Sopwell Lane, St. Albans AL1 1RN

Pleasantly laid out pub within a 16th-century half-timbered frame. There is a small, friendly front bar and a larger main bar with alcoves. The large rear garden is a haven for drinkers in warm weather. Inviting menu of quality home-made food served (check times). Occasional open mic night or bands hosted. Boules, chess and jenga can be played in the garden.

White Swan

1 Upper Dagnall Street, St. Albans AL3 5EA

Real Fire

Traditional city centre pub. Live music and DJ on Friday & Saturday nights and some Sundays.

Olde Fighting Cocks

16 Abbey Mill Lane, St. Albans AL3 4HE