Best Pubs To Visit In Europe

March 15, 2023

Pubs are a dime a dozen and often offer some of the best locally brewed beer once you find a high-quality spot. However, finding a diamond in the rough can be difficult when you don't know where to start looking. With such a high quantity of pubs located across Europe, tourists may be hard pressed to find just the right fit to enjoy a perfect pint during their travels. There is sure to be even more hot spots popping up across all fifty countries on this vast continent. With this in mind, the following is a compiled list of the best places to check out while visiting Europe this year.

Ye Olde Man & Scythe, England

Ye Olde Man & Scythe, located in Bolton, England, was first listed on a charter of 1251 by name, though no one quite knows when this pub was initially built. It has a timber frame and a slate roof, which gives a welcoming feeling of age and tradition to those lucky enough to visit. Listed as one of the ten oldest buildings in London, this structure, simply put, just looks old. Although the building has been renovated since its original construction, it still has the same cellar, which has been maintained for 763 years. The food and beverages here are rooted in the culture of Bolton, and the building's name is derived from a false archaism of the Pilkington family, consisting of a reaper using a scythe.

Although the Ye Olde Man & Scythe is impressive, there is another destination in Europe that may just be even better for grabbing a cold one. It's coming up next!

Prague Beer Museum, Czech Republic

Those looking for a more updated establishment to get a refreshing pint will want to find themselves in the Prague Beer Museum. Located in Prague, Czech Republic, this fine establishment is a local favorite and also hosts plenty of tourists looking to enjoy a pint in a foreign land. Beer Museum strives to keep on top of beer trends, and they offer a wide selection of locally brewed favorites and beyond. Famously known as the first pub in Prague to have thirty Czech craft beers on tap, the variety of offerings will keep beer enthusiasts busy for quite some time during their stay, and also eager to enjoy some of the fine food available. Now operating two pubs in total, the owners take their craft seriously and hope to attract visitors from across the world to see what Prague has to offer on the global brewing stage.

Prague Beer Museum is most definitely a great destination to try in Europe, but what better place to follow it up with than an Irish favorite?

Sean’s Bar, Ireland

Sean’s Bar is quite likely the top bar on this list for a few reasons. Firstly is the ambiance of the pub. With beautifully crafted wood trimming and sturdy stools, this simple structure is open and welcoming to all. This is the ideal spot to grab a cold one in Ireland thanks to its warm fireplace, but it is famous to locals and tourists for another reason. Sean’s Pub, full of both history and tradition, is the oldest pub in Ireland, dating back to nine hundred AD. Located in Athlone, Ireland, there is always sawdust on the floor and musicians playing in the corner with a friendly and attentive bartender ready to serve a tall one. It's truly heaven on earth. Globetrotters from every walk of life travel to Sean’s for a drink.

Sean's Bar is old and full of history, making for a luxurious and traditional stay. However, new can be just as exciting to beer drinkers. Keep reading for an excellent example of this.

CK Browar, Poland

CK Browar is up next and brings Poland, specifically Krakow, to the map of top pub destinations. Only a five-minute walk from the main market square, CK’s is a top attraction for those visiting Poland and seeking refreshments. Broward's was founded in 1996 with its mini brewery, restaurant, and club. With approximately a five hundred person cap here, this place can get packed in a hurry. Popular options for visitors are ordering beer tastings or booking the Hunters Room full of taxidermy and a long table, or the medievally themed Great Hall. CK Browbar is beautiful everywhere inside, with a modern feel but traditional practices. Restaurant specialties are the house venison or pork, cooked to perfection to enjoy in the dim lighting.

Poland has its perks when it comes to brewing samples, but England can be just as good, if not better. The following is proof!

The Star Tavern, England

Next up on the docket is a prized possession located in Belgravia, a neighborhood in London, England. The Star Tavern, an award-winning watering-hole set up as a cask-style bar, is always full of patrons eager to get a pint and dive into a casual conversation. Known as a homey pub, having a drink here is much like having a pint in a friend's living room with plenty of historical photos and a warming fireplace. Spaces are limited here which encourages visitors to arrive early. The selection of local and imported brews here will satisfy any beer enthusiast's pallet for an afternoon, especially with one of the delicious meals the skilled kitchen is known for.

The Star Tavern is not to be messed with in the world of beer enthusiasts. However, it may not have the same rich history this next spot can offer.

Clachaig Inn, Scotland

Clachaig Inn, located in Glencoe, Scotland, is a special destination that cannot simply be categorized as a pub, as it also acts as an inn for weary travelers. This nook has been a source of accommodation to tourists for over three hundred years and offered hospitality to all in need. A collection of twenty-three modernized bedrooms with en-suite facilities makes for a quaint and comfortable spot to rest. Clachaig Inn is equipped with a vast selection of delicious beer options for refreshments and offers a scenic view of the vibrant countryside Scotland is famous for. Any tourists traveling to Europe will be thrilled with their experience at this Scottish highlight.

Scotland is known for watering holes and comfort inns, but the next spot is known for something that may be even more interesting to travelers.

Port Street Beer House, England

Port Street Beer House is a magnet for beer enthusiasts looking to try some of the best pubs in Europe. Located in Manchester, England, Port Street is another quaint destination ideal for a casual pint with fellow beer enthusiasts or travel companions. However, there are also plenty of events with local beer brands that encourage locals to keep returning to try something new. Port Street Beer House is known for its vast variety of beers, and there are well over fifty brew types with everything from heavy to light ales. Many locals have memberships to the pub, giving them perfect access on a daily basis, but visitors are more than welcome to join and share in the well-kept indoors with high-quality wooden furniture and an enjoyable community.

Although it is hard to beat a beer house like Port Street, this next spot may prove better with the help of its treasured resident.

Seven Stars Pub, England

Seven Stars Pub is another top destination in Europe for those in search of the holy grail of beer. Located in London, England, there are a few qualities here that make for a unique presence. A wraparound bar makes for a communal feel when ordering a round of drinks for your table and offers an ideal layout for chatting with other patrons and telling stories. Also, there is no limit to the alcohol selection, as there are plenty of local brews matched by imports offering tasteful opportunities to try different beers.

The unique attraction of this bar was the resident cat, Thomas Paine, who lived here. Thomas Paine made his home in in Seven Stars Pub and was identifiable by the Elizabethan styled ruff around his neck. Unfortunately, poor Tom passed back in 2011, though visitors may still visit and see stories and photos of the beloved regular everyone cherished so much.

London is fantastic for beer stops and has proven so in this list thus far. However, Amsterdam will reserve its recognition with this next incredible beer house.

Brouwerij 't IJ, Netherlands

Brewing specialty beer since 1985, Brouwerij 't IJ is a gem situated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was built in the former Funen bathhouse. With a landmark look, the pub has a tasting room and terrace for enjoying the in-house beer that earned its prominent reputation. Now a popular destination for locals and just as common for travelers, there is no better local joint for a cold one in Amsterdam. In-house brews range from a delicious IPA to different pale ales with interesting flavors sure to entertain the beer enthusiast's pallet.

Although Amsterdam is unique in its own right, this last stop cannot be forgotten for its sheer ingenuity in the brewing industry.

Bierhaus, Latvia

Last but not least for the top pubs to visit in Europe would be the Bierhaus, located in Riga, Latvia. Known for brewing their own specialty beers, Biehaus is a gem in the northern reaches of Europe and makes for a great spot to both try local craft brews and socialize with patrons. With the philosophy that good beer can be tasted just like wine, there is much to admire about the eight staple homebrews, the top two of which are the Laca Kepa (a pale ale) and the Dzintara Stars (a pilsner). Bierhaus not only serves good beer, but good food as well! The kitchen's head chef has close to twenty years of high-quality cooking experience and a menu representing all corners of Europe, patrons should make sure to try a famed dish with their cold one.

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