The most Christmassy pubs to visit this year
Nothing says Christmas quite like a twinkling pub, glowing with fairy lights, serving steaming plates of comfort food and pints as frosty as Jack Frost’s nose.
We love Christmas for many reasons: the excuse to wear sequins before noon, the non-stop supply of pigs in blankets, and that magical moment when someone suggests “just one drink” and suddenly you’re singing Mariah Carey.
But our favourite part? Pubs turning into full-on festive wonderlands - little hubs of cheer where the tinsel glistens, the fire roars, and every drink feels like a Christmas toast.
What makes our pubs Christmassy?
Well, where do we start?
- The décor: We’re talking warm lights, oversized wreaths, and a Christmas tree that could probably double as a small forest.
- The food & drink: Mouth-watering sides, turkey dinners bigger than your head, and puddings swimming in chocolate (or brandy if you’re on the nice list).
- The vibe: Think crackling fires, carols (intentional or accidental), and that unmistakable buzz of people saying, “c’mon, it’s Christmas!”.
Bell Inn (Nottingham)
Nottingham’s Bell Inn has been serving up cheer since the 15th century!
Inside, you’ll find a mix of medieval charm and modern festivity: roaring fires, Christmas trees in full regalia, and pints flowing beneath the ancient timber beams.
It’s right in the heart of Old Market Square too, which means you can flit between the Winter Wonderland rides, the ice rink, and the mulled wine stalls before retreating here for a proper meal.
Nothing says Christmas quite like medieval stonework and a turkey dinner served with an extra side of history.
Beehive (Edinburgh)
Nestled in the Grassmarket beneath Edinburgh Castle, the Beehive Inn is about as Christmassy as pubs get.Step inside and you’ll find whisky warming the shelves, garlands strung across ancient beams, and the hum of locals and tourists alike raising glasses to the season.
Outside, the Old Town is the perfect backdrop while the castle looms above like something out of a festive fairy tale.
Order a pie, chase it with a dram, and you’ve got yourself a Highland Christmas to remember.
Festive bonus: Edinburgh’s Christmas markets, complete with the Big Wheel and all the twinkling trimmings, are just around the corner.
Drawbridge (Bristol)
Few cities have an atmosphere like Bristol, and The Drawbridge knows how to make the most of it.
Right in the city centre, just minutes from the harbourside, this pub fizzes with festive energy. At Christmas, the decorations sparkle, the quiz nights turn festive, and the laughter spills out onto the streets.
Whether you’re in for a round of beers with friends or a mulled wine pit stop mid-Christmas shopping, it’s the kind of place that guarantees good cheer.
Eagle (Cambridge)
The Eagle has always been a place for big discoveries - DNA was literally announced here - but come December, the only discovery you’ll care about is how many pigs in blankets you can eat in one sitting.The 17th-century beams are draped with garlands, the interior glows with candlelight, and the air is thick with the smell of hearty roasts.
Add in a pint of winter ale and the chatter of merrymakers, and it feels like the kind of Christmas gathering that would make even Scrooge crack a smile.
Cambridge itself turns into a festive postcard - fairy lights on cobbled streets, Christmas markets, and an ice rink at Parker’s Piece, all just steps from your pint.
Fisherman's Tavern (Dundee)
Down by the River Tay, the Fisherman’s Tavern transforms into a cosy Christmas hideaway once the decorations go up.
After a frosty walk along Broughty Ferry Beach, nothing beats thawing out by the fire with a pint and a plate of something hearty.
Housed in three quaint seaside cottages, it feels like the kind of place a Hallmark Christmas film would set its big finale.
It’s hearty, it’s homely, and it’s perfect for anyone who likes their Christmas with a dash of bracing sea breeze.
The George (Southwark)
Londoners love a bit of history with their mulled wine, and The George delivers it in spades.Tucked just off Borough High Street, this 16th-century gem is the city’s last remaining galleried inn.
At Christmas, its wooden balconies light up and the whole place feels like you’ve wandered into a Dickens novel - minus the fog and questionable dentistry.
Order a steaming plate of pub classics, settle beneath the oak beams, and let the centuries of yuletide cheer wash over you.
Plus, Borough Market’s Christmas stalls are a mince pie’s throw away, so you can do your shopping, then pop in for a restorative drink when your bags get too heavy.
Punch & Judy (Covent Garden)
If Christmas had a postcode, it’d probably be Covent Garden.
Between the giant Christmas tree, the carolers, and the festive lights, it’s basically Santa’s HQ.
Perched right above the piazza, the Punch & Judy is the perfect spot to soak it all in. Inside, it’s warm and welcoming; outside, you’ve got a rooftop terrace that offers a front-row seat to the square’s festivities.
Grab a glass of fizz or a festive cocktail, and you’ll feel like you’re sipping Christmas straight from the source.
Festive bonus: The street performers and seasonal market stalls keep the magic going long after you’ve polished off your roast dinner.
Shakespeare (Manchester)
Manchester is famous for its Christmas markets, but the real magic begins when you step inside the Shakespeare.With its striking façade lit up like the backdrop of a festive play, the pub pulls you straight into its Christmassy scene.
Inside, the place buzzes with the sound of live music, the clink of glasses, and the occasional group breaking into Christmas songs after a few too many mulled ciders.
Plus, you’re only a short stroll from Manchester’s festive markets!
Celebrating Christmas with us
So, what can you expect from us this season? Think of it as Christmas turned up to 100:
- Plates piled high with turkey, trimmings, and puddings drowned in brandy sauce.
- Mulled wine, winter ales, and cocktails that taste like Christmas in a glass.
- Warm, bustling atmospheres where “Merry Christmas, stranger!” is practically a greeting card.
Whether you’re gathering the whole family, catching up with mates, or just sneaking in for a solo pint and a mince pie, our festive pubs are the perfect backdrop.