Best Pubs & Bars in Gloucester: City Centre & Docks

Gloucester has plenty of pubs to choose from, from traditional boozers to modern bars. Country pubs in the city’s suburbs can be fun to visit, especially after a walk. The city also has many pet-friendly drinking establishments.

I’ve enjoyed many afternoon sessions and nights out in the city and enjoy the local bar scene. Many places also have outside seating or beer gardens. As a bonus for tourists, many have an interesting history, including the Robert Raikes Inn and the New Inn.

Gloucester City Centre & Dock Pubs & Bars

Some notable public houses in the city for a pint of beer, lager, or cider. Many offer entertainment, including darts, skittles or pool on site. Other places I enjoy in suburbia are Churchdown, Hardwicke and Abbeydale.

The Turk’s Head

The Turk’s Head Inn on St Aldate Street in Gloucester is a fantastic pub. This pub is a unique venue with a funny set of rules on the outside and eclectic décor inside. They also serve a wide variety of drinks, many of which are pretty unique to Gloucester.

The pub has both inside and outside seating. A few seats are outside on St Aldate Street. The bar area seemed the most popular part. It had a great vibe, and the staff and customers were friendly and willing to banter. The Turk’s Head Inn is the city’s first micro-pub.

I only stopped for one pint of cider; however, the barman recommended Sheppy Cider from their extensive menu. Sheppy’s is a 200-year-old, family-owned, sixth-generation master cider maker. One of the oldest and most respected cider brands in the world. They have 28 different ciders; it is a paradise for cider lovers. They also offer a range of lagers and real ales.

Café René in The City Centre

In a small passageway off Southgate Street is the vibrant Café René. Café René is a popular pub with a great selection of drinks, and often hosts live music events. They serve a selection of real ales, real ciders, and continental beer options. Café René is a venue at many of the city’s festivals, often with bands playing.

The interior is quite traditional, with wooden furniture, barrels incorporated into the design and a well in the centre of the bar. They have an outside seating area in the historic passageway, a great place for a summer afternoon pint.

The New Inn

On Northgate Street in the city centre is the New Inn, a place steeped in history and also serving a nice pint. The inn has a paranormal streak, and people have spotted ghosts there in the past. They have a few areas to drink: the main bar, a back bar and outside in the courtyard. On my visits, I’ve found it a great place for a beer, especially in the courtyard on a warm day.

The Pelican: one of the city’s oldest pubs

The Pelican Inn is a historic real-ale pub in Gloucester. It is one of the city’s oldest pubs, with a history dating back to 1679. The pub serves a range of real ales, real ciders and perry. They host 2 beer festivals throughout the year. The Pelican prides itself on being a real ale and cider pub and consistently has at least 10 on draught. They have frequently won the CAMRA award for pub of the year on multiple occasions.

The pub has a friendly vibe inside, with plenty of seating and a nice beer garden area with shaded seats. Multiple rooms inside let drinkers sit at small tables. The Pelican Inn is on St Mary’s Street near Gloucester Cathedral. The pub is a stone’s throw away from the historic St Oswald’s Priory and most of the city centre. It is a good place to have a beer before or after a game at Gloucester Rugby Club.

Brewhouse & Kitchen

Near to the Quays and Docks on the canal bank just up from Llanthony Bridge is Brewhouse and Kitchen. The bar is a great place with a great atmosphere and a wide range of drinks. Their lager selection is great and includes some nice Belgian beers on draught, like Tongerlo. They also serve food too, which, in my experience, is tasty and filling, especially their chicken. Their venue is lovely to spend time at, with good indoor and outdoor seating options. It’s one of my favourite places because of the big choice of beers to enjoy.

England’s Glory

A pub on London Road named after the England’s Glory brand of matches produced in the nearby Morelands factory. England’s Glory is a traditional boozer where you can enjoy a pint, darts, or skittles. The pub also serves hearty pub food. I like this place for a quiet daytime pub, and it’s handy if you are visiting the hospital.

The Drunken Duck

In Bull Lane, opposite Peppers Cafe, is The Drunken Duck, a small, relaxed bar. The Drunken Duck is a cosy venue with indoor or outdoor seating in a friendly environment. It offers a relaxed, classy venue for those who appreciate quality products in a laid-back setting.

The ground floor of Gloucester’s smallest bar is a great place to meet up with friends or colleagues. The Drunken Duck has a sizeable chill-out area upstairs, where you can relax over a bottle of wine and play games like chess, cards, and backgammon. A highlight of The Drunken Duck is its beer options, including some nice German wheat beers. They also have outside seating in the alleyway, which is great on a warm day.

Imperial Inn

The Imperial Inn is on Northgate Street in the city centre. It’s a handy pub to pop in for a drink if in the area. It has an interesting facade with colourful tiles. They have plenty of seats inside or a few on the street. I enjoyed a few continental lagers here and found the clientele friendly, and it’s a nice place to have a beer.

The Regal

The Regal is one of the cheaper places for a drink in the city. They are in King’s Square and managed by Wetherspoons. It is a big place with lots of indoor seating and a garden to the rear. They have an excellent selection of local and international beers and even have an app for table service. I prefer visiting in the daytime when it’s a bit less crowded; however, it can be pretty vibrant when the rugby is on.

Cross Keys

The Cross Keys is a nice pub in the passageway next to Barclays Bank on Southgate Street. They have a few seating areas inside and a nice set of tables outside. Inside, they have interesting decor and occasionally have live music on. I’ve enjoyed many pints here, usually during the daytime when it’s pretty quiet.

The Sword

A good place for a beer when in Gloucester is The Sword Inn on Westgate Street. I’ve enjoyed visiting many times for daytime drinks, and as a bonus, they are one of the earlier-opening pubs in the city, opening at 11 am. They have a good range of beers, including budget lagers and some real ales.