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Welcome to North Street Pubs & Bars!
Your ultimate guide to the best pubs and bars on North Street. Discover local favorites, hidden gems, menus, events and everything you need for the perfect night out!.
The Royal Oak
Nestled in a beautifully preserved 16th-century building, The Royal Oak stands as one of North Street’s most beloved historic pubs. With its low wooden beams, stone floors, and crackling fireplace, it offers an authentic taste of traditional British pub culture. The Royal Oak takes enormous pride in its selection of cask ales, featuring both established favorites and rotating guest beers from local microbreweries. Their cellar management has earned them a spot in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for twelve consecutive years. The food menu celebrates classic British pub fare with locally sourced ingredients—their steak and ale pie has a reputation that extends far beyond North Street. On Sunday afternoons, the pub hosts acoustic music sessions where local musicians gather for informal performances. The garden area, complete with ancient oak trees, provides a serene escape during summer months. What truly distinguishes The Royal Oak, however, is the sense of community cultivated by landlords Jim and Sarah Bennett, who have maintained this establishment as a true local hub for over two decades.
The Merchant’s Tavern
The Merchant’s Tavern blends historical charm with contemporary sophistication. Located in a former Georgian merchant’s house, this gastro-pub has preserved many original architectural features while incorporating stylish modern design elements. The bar showcases an impressive array of craft beers, with twenty rotating taps featuring selections from across the UK and Europe. Their cocktail program, developed by award-winning mixologist Emma Clarke, reimagines classic drinks with locally foraged ingredients and house-made infusions. The kitchen, led by Chef Daniel Morris (formerly of The Harwood Arms in London), has earned a stellar reputation for elevated pub classics and seasonal specials that showcase the region’s finest produce. The upstairs dining room offers a more formal experience, while the main bar area maintains a relaxed atmosphere. The Merchant’s Tavern also hosts monthly beer tastings, cocktail masterclasses, and themed dinner events. The spacious courtyard, illuminated by fairy lights in the evening, has become one of North Street’s most sought-after outdoor dining spaces.
The Compass
A relatively new addition to North Street, The Compass has quickly established itself as the premier craft beer destination in the area. This contemporary bar features an industrial-chic aesthetic with exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and vintage brewing equipment as décor. The impressive tap wall offers thirty different beers, meticulously curated to represent diverse styles from innovative breweries around the globe. Owners Ben and Amy Lawrence, both certified Cicerones, ensure staff are knowledgeable about every offering and eager to guide customers to new discoveries. The Compass also houses a small on-site brewing system where they produce limited-edition collaborations with guest brewers. Their food concept focuses on gourmet bar snacks designed to complement beer, including beer-battered local fish, homemade scotch eggs with runny centers, and an acclaimed charcuterie board featuring cured meats from regional producers. Regular events include tap takeovers, meet-the-brewer nights, and their popular monthly beer club where members get first access to rare releases.
The Blackbird
The Blackbird has established itself as North Street’s cultural hub, combining a quality drinking establishment with a vibrant live music venue. Housed in a converted Victorian bank building with stunning high ceilings and original architectural details, this atmospheric venue creates the perfect backdrop for both quiet afternoon drinks and lively evening entertainment. The bar offers a carefully selected range of spirits with a particular focus on British gins and whiskies, alongside a solid selection of real ales and craft beers. Their kitchen specializes in small plates inspired by global street food, perfect for sharing while enjoying performances.
The venue hosts live music four nights a week, showcasing everything from local acoustic acts to touring bands, plus regular comedy nights and poetry slams. The downstairs vault has been converted into an intimate jazz club that hosts sessions every Friday. Owners Melissa and David Thornton, both former musicians, have created a space that genuinely supports the local arts scene while providing a welcoming environment for patrons of all ages.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, at mei dolore tritani repudiandae. In his nemore temporibus consequuntur, vim ad prima vivendum consetetur. Viderer feugiat at pro, mea aperiam
The Botanist
The Botanist brings a touch of elegance to North Street with its garden-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant. Set in a light-filled Victorian conservatory attached to a beautifully restored townhouse, the venue features abundant greenery, botanical prints, and vintage gardening implements throughout its thoughtfully designed space. Master botanist and mixologist James Harrington has developed a signature cocktail menu that showcases house-infused spirits, fresh herbs (many grown in their rooftop garden), and homemade syrups and bitters. Their “Herbarium” tasting flight offers a unique opportunity to explore botanical flavors through a series of paired mini-cocktails. The kitchen, under the direction of Chef Olivia Chen, serves refined modern British cuisine with international influences and a strong emphasis on plant-based options alongside more traditional fare. The venue’s serene atmosphere and attention to detail have made it a favorite for special occasions. Their weekend botanical brunch has become legendary locally, featuring edible flower garnishes and specialized morning cocktails. The Botanist also hosts regular workshops on topics ranging from cocktail-making to terrarium building and botanical drawing.
Musical Landscape
The musical atmosphere of UK pubs and bars forms an essential part of their cultural identity, offering visitors a diverse sonic experience that reflects both deep-rooted traditions and contemporary trends.
Traditional folk music remains a cornerstone of pub entertainment across the United Kingdom. In rural establishments, particularly in regions like Cornwall, Scotland, and Ireland, you’ll often encounter spontaneous folk sessions where local musicians gather with fiddles, acoustic guitars, bodhráns, tin whistles, and accordions. These organic performances celebrate regional musical heritage, with songs that have been passed down through generations telling stories of local history, working life, and ancient legends.
Many urban pubs have embraced a broader musical palette. On any given night in city venues, you might discover up-and-coming indie bands testing new material, jazz quartets creating sophisticated improvisations, or acoustic singer-songwriters performing heartfelt original compositions alongside carefully selected covers. Open mic nights have become particularly popular fixtures, providing platforms for emerging talent and fostering supportive musical communities.
The classic pub rock scene that emerged in the 1970s continues to influence the musical landscape of British drinking establishments. Bands playing energetic rock covers of everything from Rolling Stones and The Who to Oasis and Arctic Monkeys ensure dance floors remain filled and spirits high throughout the evening.
In more contemporary bars, especially in cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow, DJs create carefully curated soundtracks spanning electronic music, hip-hop, funk, soul, and global beats. These venues often transform from relaxed daytime spaces to vibrant nighttime destinations where the music gradually builds in energy as the evening progresses.
What makes pub music in the UK truly special is its accessibility and communal nature. Unlike formal concert venues, pubs provide an intimate setting where the barrier between performer and audience often dissolves completely. Whether it’s joining in on a well-known chorus, requesting a favorite song, or simply appreciating the artistry of local musicians, the musical experience in British pubs creates connections and memories that enhance the overall charm of these beloved institutions.
Why We Love
There’s something magical about UK pubs and bars that captures our hearts and keeps us coming back. These establishments are far more than just places to drink – they’re the beating heart of British culture and community life.
UK pubs offer an unparalleled sense of warmth and welcome. The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped by centuries of tradition, from the well-worn wooden bars to the gleaming brass fixtures. Each venue tells its own story through historic architecture, quirky decorations, and local memorabilia that connect patrons to the area’s heritage.
The British pub represents a unique democratic space where people from all walks of life gather. Construction workers chat with office professionals, tourists mingle with locals, and newcomers become regulars. In an increasingly digital world, pubs provide genuine face-to-face connection.
We love the distinctive character of UK drinking establishments – from cozy countryside inns with roaring fires to sleek urban bars with innovative cocktails. The diversity of experiences reflects Britain’s rich cultural tapestry while maintaining that quintessential British hospitality.
Most importantly, UK pubs and bars offer something increasingly rare: an authentic sense of belonging. In a fast-paced world, they provide spaces where time slows down, conversations flow freely, and memories are made over perfectly poured pints and shared stories.
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