Live Music — Pubs in St. Albans

Lunchtime Meals

Live Music

Predominantly a restaurant but admits drinkers. No real ale although bar has two unused handpumps. Small, smart modern interior painted white. Relatively large outdoor seating area. Formerly a restaurant and before that a public convenience. Overcharges for half pints.

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.

Gin Cave

21 Holywell Hill, St. Albans AL1 1EZ

Close to Railway Station

Close to Bus Routes

Quiet Pub

An expansion of the Bishop's Cave next door. The Gin Cave serves two beers from keykegs vis a Lindr on the bar. Typically a Pale Ale and a lager.

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.

Crown

144-146 Hatfield Road, St. Albans AL1 4JA

Following a major refurbishment in 2015 this once down at heel former hotel is now smart in appearance and family friendly. While sport ias still shown, the TV screens no longer dominate and when big matches aren't on this is as good a venue as any for a quiet pint. There is a decent selection of ales, some locally brewed, though prices are above average for the area. There are also craft keg beers. Food is served daily until late with discounts on certain days and gluten-free options. There are comedy nights every Tuesday, quiz nights on Wednesday, acoustic music on the first Thursday of every month and amplified music on the last Saturday. The ukelele club meets on Wednesday in the function room.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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