Live Music — Pubs in Swindon

Corner Marston's pub with a local clientele.

Liden Arms

Barrington Close, Swindon SN3 6HP

Typical estate pub opened by Arkells in 1980. Used by locals and those working nearby. Live music Friday & TV/Satellite, mainly for football. Apart from 3B, a monthly Arkell's guest beer is featured.

Sun Inn

Coate, Swindon SN3 6AA

Large popular open plan food-orientated pub close to Coate Water country park. Extensive garden with thatched summer house and children’s adventure play ground. Please visit the website for regular and occasional events.Two regulars plus one Arkell's seasonal beer available. Meal times are 12-9.30 Mon-Sat and 12-9 Sun.

Boundary House

1 The Street, Swindon SN25 3ER

Comfortable and friendly local with open plan bar and several drinking areas including a conservatory for families & kids. No food, but buffets can be ordered for special occasions. Quiz nights, music, bingo and other events happen in this pub at the heart of the community.

Dolphin Hotel

177 Rodbourne Road, Swindon SN2 2AF

Large open bar with loud music. Typical suburban pub with large TV screens to show sports events. Live music twice a month. Very handy for the Outlet Village in the old GWR works.

Duke of Edinburgh

Cricklade Road, Swindon SN2 1AE

Large bar with pool table round the back and additional seating. There are pool and darts teams. Sports orientated with two large TV screens. Meals can be served when required.

Fox & Hounds

10 High Street, Swindon SN25 1HX

An Arkell's pub since December 2011. It looks pretty much as before. Traditional two bar pub that has been trading for well over a century in the village of Haydon Wick, that has been swallowed up by Swindon's northern expansion. Food is served 12-2 Tues-Sat and 6-9 Mon-Sat. There are darts, pool, and football teams, emphasizing its importance as a local serving the community.

Moonrakers

Cricklade Road, Swindon SN2 5AA

Large 1930s pub (Arkell's biggest pub) by a busy roundabout in north Swindon. It underwent major refurbishment in 2004. It is now a large and airy L-shaped bar/lounge with strong colours. Several slightly raised areas with banisters exist that have comfortable settees and armchairs. The pub has darts, crib and pool teams. There is a large attractively furnished function room with its own bar at the back, ideal for parties and other events.

Southbrook Inn

Southbrook Street, Swindon SN2 1HF

Impressive entrance in to this old stone farmhouse now converted and is now a thriving community pub. Two separate bars, one on the right hand side mainly for eating and left hand bar with two areas with dartboard and cups from competitions. The ale at this pub is perfectly served, also good hospitality from the landlord & staff.e food menu is good. The current landlord is the manager of the Swindon Speedway side, and displays trophies currently held. The pub has a sporty feel, with regular televised events.

Manor

Cheney Manor Road, Swindon SN2 2NX

One Large lounge bar with lots of seating areas with a family area and a separate function room with pool table. There is a children’s play area with bouncy castle. Monthly Quiz and Live Music.

Swiss Chalet

Chapel Street, Swindon SN2 8DA

Large single-bar pub with double entrance into bar with wheelchair access via a ramp to one of them. It has several darts teams and sponsors two local football teams. Quiz night on Thu. It has seven TV screens for live sports. It also home to the Swindon Chelsea Supporters Club.

Brookhouse Farm

Middleleaze Drive, Swindon SN5 5TZ

Large, busy and popular Hungry Horse pub (Greene King) in West Swindon. This Victorian farmhouse has been vastly expanded. There are several separate rooms. TV screens for sports events. Pool and darts are played. Very food orientated. Meals are served between 11 and 10 pm Monday to Saturday and between 10 and 9pm on Sundays. There are also themed nights and music on the last Friday of each month.

Nine Elms

Old Shaw Lane, Swindon SN5 5PD

Disabled Access

Friendly traditional Edwardian pub on the western edge of Swindon. Once in a hamlet, now surrounded by new housing. Live sports all year round. Bluegrass jamming session every Wednesday night.

Jovial Monk

Highdown Way, St. Andrews, Swindon SN25 4FD

Clean, modern, nicely decorated estate pub, owned by local brewer Arkell's. The pub has 6 en-suite rooms. Home cooked food served all day. Two regular Arkell's ales are on and the new manager has installed two additional pumps with a view to bringing in changing guests. Sport shown on several screens and can be split to show Sky and BT at the same time. Large clean conservatory is used for private functions. Pool and Darts teams. Overall a strange mix , hotel, local pub, sports bar, foodies destination, an electric mix but somehow the enthusiastic new host seems to make it all work.

Tawny Owl

Queen Elizabeth Drive, Swindon SN25 1WP

Large modern Arkells pub in Taw Hill on Thamesdown Drive. Whilst largely open plan, the pub is cleverly sectioned into traditional sports bar, several eating areas, and a quiet soft seating area for newspapers, reading or quiet conversation. The pub mayors on food and new menus seek to provide a good value package. Popular amongst travellers, there are 5 rooms for guests, and breaksfast is now served to all comers from 10.00. A large car park, extensive grass area with a splendid childrens play park, and the number 15 bus stopping right outside, Unusually for Arkell's, a guest beer alternates with two regular house beers. footpath to "Mouldon Hill County Park" (5 minutes away) crosses the North end of the car park.

Abbey Mead

Elstree Way, Swindon SN25 4YX

Large Marston's estate pub with comfortable seating in the much expanded northern part of Swindon. Part of a small shopping precinct with plenty of outside seating and a children's play area. Large bar in the centre with three hand-pumps for one regular beer and a guest from the Marston's range. Meals are served all day. No evening meals Monday. Families are welcome. No under 16's after 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Regular entertainment Sat nights.

Blunsdon Arms

Lady Lane, Swindon SN25 2NA

Opened in December 2006, Situated just off Thamesdown Drive in this forever expanding part of north Swindon. It is an Ember Inns (M & B) house. This large open plan pub has lots of comfortable seating, friendly staff and can get quite busy at times. There are 8 hand pumps for ale, including 2 regular beers and up to 6 guest ales. The six guest beers rotate from a selection of 12 ales which change quarterly. CAMRA members get a 20p discount per pint (exc. Mondays when all ale is £2.49 a pint). There are also 3 real ciders available. Food is served every day from 10am to 10pm. Quiz Night every Wednesday and Sunday. Poker Night every Monday. Live music on the last Saturday of the month. There will be a music festival in the car park and garden during July.

Carpenters Arms

Old Vicarage Lane, Swindon SN3 4ST

Open spacious pub with two drinking areas and a separate dining area. An old world pub with plenty of artifacts. Garden with lots of facilities for children including Crazy Golf. More of a motel now to cope with changing times.

Carriers Arms

Highworth Road, Swindon SN3 4SE

Two traditional bars at the front and a large restaurant to the side. Karaoke and quiz night on Thursdays. Poker night every other week on Fridays.

Harper's Steakhouse at the Weighbridge

Penzance Drive, Swindon SN5 7JL

The Weighbridge Brewhouse is an upmarket brew and gastro-pub in the former home of Archers brewery. The restaurant is a modern open plan setting, serving freshly prepared food, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. It also features a long shiny bar. . Seating in the bar is limited, although a Bar Terrace is open for the milder season. Live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Beer is no longer brewed on the premises.

Crumpled Horn

Eldene Centre, Swindon SN3 3RZ

Recently re-opened pub. No real ale.

Waiting Room

59 Fleet Street, Swindon SN1 1RA

Formerly known as the Locomotive and the Mail Coach this historic pub reopened in March 2018 under the new name of the Waiting Room. There is a long single bar with 2 real ales. Live music and live sports shown. No food available.

Shield & Dagger

Thames Avenue, Swindon SN25 3NT

A large, well maintained estate pub with two rooms. There is a large bar area with sports TV and fruit machines. The separate lounge bar is where food is served and can be hired as a function room. There is food on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, often themed such as steak night. The pub has regular charity events raising money for the NSPCC.

Bakers Arms

121 Beechcroft Road, Swindon SN2 7RE

A busy and popular local with the same landlady for almost ten years. There are pool, darts and crib teams and themed nights. They have country music sessions fortnightly on Thursday evenings. There is a smart dining room extension that also doubles as a function room together with a beer garden with barbecue facilities. Large dining room extension built and opened summer 2013. They are Cask Marque accredited and stock Weston’s ‘Old Rosie’ cider. 'The Bakers' celebrated a century of ownership by Arkell's in 1996, but it was built back in 1847 by William Slade of Moredon. He also owned The Red Lion (now renamed The Boundary House) even though by trade he was a butcher! A major renovation in 1956 and an extension in 1984 & 2013 have brought the Bakers Arms up-to-date - but not too up-to-date. This is a no-frills pub and as such belongs to a rare breed of traditional British locals.

Ashford Road Club

17/18 Ashford Road, Swindon SN1 3NT

Cask Marque Accredited

Sports TV

A fully refurbished contemporary club in the heart of Old Town. Established in 1896, this Club boasts great music and entertainment, sky sports, and function room facilities suitable for parties or corporate functions/meeting room. Two large projector screens with surround sound and four Flat Screen TV’s. Cask Marque accredited for our exceptional quality of ales, we also offer a wide selection of Whisky, Bourbon, Gin, Vodka and Wine as well as lagers, Guinness and Cider. New members are welcome!

Even Swindon Club

44 Percy Street, Swindon SN2 2AZ

Sports TV

Close to Railway Station

Even Swindon Club is a members only club, with affiliation to the club and institute union.

Haydon Wick Working Mens Club

10 Blunsdon Road, Haydon Wick, Swindon SN25 1JD

Smoking Area

Sports TV

This large. modern club provides 2 real ales in the main bar. As well as the main bar there is a separate function room with a stage and air-conditioning for large events and a skittle alley. No food available apart from filled rolls unless arranged in advance. Membership is open to all for a small annual fee. Non-members can be signed in by existing members.

Rodbourne Cheney Working Mens Club

19 Moredon Road, Rodbourne Cheney, Swindon SN25 3DQ

Disabled Access

Smoking Area

CIU Members club. Non members can sign in at the door.

Tuppenny

58-59 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BD

Live Music

The Tuppenny opened in November 2016 in premises formally used as a hairdressers. The emphasis is on craft drinks with a range of keg craft from the likes of Renegade, Electric Bear and others. There are two handpumps on the bar serving real ales from the West Berkshire brewery. The inside has a low ceiling and is quite dark giving it a cosy feel, although it can become a bit of a squash when it is busy. The name comes from the Victorian Tuppenny gin which was a more refined premium product than the infamous “Mother’s ruin” gin. Free WiFi. Open from 8.30 till 12.00 for coffee and cake.

Kingsdown

Kingsdown Road, Swindon SN2 7PE

This is Arkells brewery tap. A smart and traditional local with a very pleasant garden at the back. It is popular with office workers at lunchtime in need of sustenance to get them through a busy working day! The pub has darts, pool, crib and football teams. Four Arkell's ales are always on hand pump. Meals are served from 12 till 2 and 6 till 9, not Sunday evening. There are Jazz night on the last Thursday of each month.

Beehive

55 Prospect Hill, Swindon SN1 3JS

Dog Friendly

This multi-levelled, four room pub has retained its quirky charm and layout. There are six real ales including 3 changing guests with a regional focus. A popular live music venue with performances often on Thursday and Friday although other nights are available. The walls are often covered with pictures and other art for sale. Locally sourced pies are available lunchtime until early evening. There are complimentary crisps and snacks from late afternoon, Monday to Friday. Poker every Monday night. Other events include monthly quiz or poetry evenings. There is a world music club on the last Wednesday of the month. Table booking advised. Food not available at present. Poker starting Monday July 26th. Monthly quiz nights starting first Sunday in August. World music nights starting early August. See “What’s On” page at [www.bee-hive.co.uk]www.bee-hive.co.uk

Castle

28 Prospect Place, Swindon SN1 3LQ

Friendly and traditional backstreet local. It consists of several rooms which merge into each other. The front bar has a log burner. The games room at the back has a pool table and a stage. This is used for Karaoke on Thursday and live music on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings. There is also a large TV screen showing sports in the right-hand bar making it quite a lively place. Apart from pool and darts, cribbage is played. Guest beers are served occasionally.

Clifton

Clifton Street, Swindon SN1 3PY

Friendly local with a large open-plan bar. Re-furbished in October 2018. There are now three Arkell's/Donnington ales and several real ciders available. Large selection of whiskeys and other spirits. Food is now served on site from the pub’s Clifton Street Food operation. Pub quiz on Wednesday.

County Ground

115 County Road, Swindon SN1 2EB

Large late Victorian Arkell's pub, with some alterations and additions, by the football ground. It has one large open bar - with a recent facelift. It gets very busy on match days, but is a down to earth local otherwise. Draft beer is only available on weekends and match days, otherwise there is a selection of bottled beers. A disco takes place Friday nights and there is karaoke on Saturday & Sunday nights. It has an enclosed garden at the rear and area that can be set aside for functions. Occasional theme nights.

Kings

20 Wood Street, Swindon SN1 4AB

Large and comfortable Victorian hotel bar in the heart of Old Town. It was refurbished in 2018 and has a very smart interior. During the evenings and weekends the bar can become very busy and live sports are often shown. There is a separate restaurant and a large function room upstairs. There are five handpumps dedicated to Arkell's beers, with a further three for cider and perry - mostly Weston's and Thatcher’s. There is live music on Sunday evenings. There is a public car park at the rear, but charges apply.

Plough

26 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BQ

A popular Old Town destination taken over by a mother and daughter team in October 2020 giving it a more relaxed feel. The inside is compact and well laid out with a small additional room at the back. There is a small terrace at the rear overlooking what used to be a railway line. There is only one real ale, Arkell's 3Bs. There is a quiz on Tuesday evenings.

Queens Tap

74 Station Road, Swindon SN1 1DG

Situated directly opposite Swindon railway station this is a convenient stop for commuters and locals alike. Two real ales are stocked from a rotating list of mainly regional brewers. Tastefully refurbished in 2018 it now features a more open bar counter and smarter seating. Good value ‘pub grub’ is available everyday. Hidden behind is a small walled garden with its own bar when required. All major TV sporting events are shown.

Roaring Donkey

6 Albert Street, Swindon SN1 3HJ

Jukebox

Part of an attractive row of stone cottages. A traditional back street local with an unusual name. Although called the Rising Sun for more than a century it was always known as the Roaring Donkey; a name it formally adopted in 1999. As you enter the pub there is a small wood panelled bar on the right. To the left is a larger lounge with a free jukebox. There is live music on Wednesday evenings and Poker on Thursday evenings.

Rolleston Arms

73 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX

Victorian pub with large L-shaped bar and pleasant atmosphere. Established as a regular live music venue (Fri & Sat). The music venue 'Level 3' is next door.

Royal Oak

24 Devizes Road, Swindon SN1 4BQ

Live Music

This is a street-corner pub with attractive green glazed tiles on the outside (Grade II Listed Building). After many episodes of it opening and closing again it reopened in November 2015 as a 'Champagne, Gin & Oyster' bar. Food is tapas style seafood. No real ale is served, but Bath Ales Gem, Dark Side, Convict & Vigilante are available as keg draft.

Steam Railway

14 Newport Street, Swindon SN1 3DX

Originally a coaching inn, this large pub has a split personality. To the right is a small wood-panelled bar serving four real ales, two of them guest beers. One guest is a national brand while the second is more adventurous. The larger part of the pub is given over to live sports coverage and music. Much improved by a major refurbishment in October 2018, the interior now features Railway memorabilia. There is Karaoke on Friday nights.

Victoria

88 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BD

Dog Friendly

Jukebox

Lively pub with lots of entertainment - music and other events as well. The bar has three hand pumps. There is a raised seating area on the left with comfortable settees and benches. The downstairs bar was renovated in 2006. This is where the entertainment happens - music, DJs, quiz nights, comedy and even films.

Wyvern Tavern

49-50 Bridge Street, Swindon SN1 1BL

CAMRA Discount

Large town centre chain pub which unusually has a better than average interest and sale of real ales and ciders. It has 1 regular and 5 changing guest beers. Can be very lively at weekends and later week evenings. They have a number of TV screens and is essentially a sports bar with a number of screens showing various sports and news during the week. Facilities all on one level. Refurbished in 2019 with more seating and name change.

Messenger

Covingham Square, Swindon SN3 5AA