Nottingham pub crawl — the ultimate route for drinking around the city
We've mapped out the pub path that has it all...
Whether you’re hanging out with friends or celebrating a special occasion, you just can’t beat going on a Nottingham pub crawl.
We have seen various different route options suggested throughout the years, so we decided to plot out our own and try it out on a warm, sunny day. These pubs all have interesting characteristics and are walkable.
Nottingham train station was our starting point and we walked to each pub — no messing about with taxis here. We wanted to enjoy each venue and each drink, so we paced ourselves accordingly, rather than chugging down halves and racing around town. This route took us around five hours (your mileage may vary), but we’ve added a few honourable mentions, as well as places to grab a bite to eat in case you want to customise your own route.
We know there are plenty of great pubs around the county, and we will be rounding these up in a different list in time. However, if one of your Nottingham bucket list items is going on a crawl around the city, this list is our ultimate route. For more local guides, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
The ultimate Nottingham pub crawl
By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain
1. Canalhouse
Walk straight down the hill from Nottingham trail station, take a left, and you’ll find the Canalhouse. When it’s sunny, sitting outside in its sprawling beer garden next to the canal is absolutely glorious. On cooler days, you can cosy up inside, where you can actually see a canalboat floating on the water as you head to the bar. The building is Grade II listed and actually a former canal museum. It has a variety of craft beers, including Castle Rock Brewery’s own.
Top tip: In between the Canalhouse and The Trip, grab a samosa or an onion bhaji to go from Bombay Deli (bombay-deli.com).
2. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
It wouldn’t be a Nottingham pub crawl without Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem on it, would it? It’s said to be the oldest inn in England — and even though this is contested, it’s still absolutely iconic. It’s set on the base of Castle Rock, which makes the interior very unique, as do all the treats and trinkets inside. For a local brew, try the Nottingham Brewery Extra Pale Ale, which is super hoppy. It also has a large outdoor seating area, which is brilliant as it does attract tourists — no judgments if you want to get your own snap!
Top tip: If you want to compare old Nottingham pubs, visit Ye Olde Salutation Inn too (facebook.com/TheSalNotts), which is a 15th-century pub with a love of rock music. You’re only a minute or two away from the Robin Hood statue as well.
3. The Dragon
The first time we had visited this pub was on this crawl, but we loved it and almost stayed for another drink. Inside is a proper traditional pub set-up, and outside is a fun retro vibe. The bar menu was pretty classic (it even has filled cobs if you need a snack), but its USP had to be the amazing Nottingham Scalextric track created by Thomas Hall. You do have to ask to see it, but this is 100% worth doing. We couldn’t stop looking at it, as there were so many local landmarks and clever nods to spot.
Top tip: If you really fancy a long walk, at this point you could head up Derby Road to Canning Circus and try out The Whistle and Flute (thewhistleandflute.com) and The Organ Grinder (bluemonkeybrewery.com).
4. Malt Cross
Supported by the YMCA, this former Victorian music hall has a beautiful glass ceiling, period features, and plush seating. It has been a charity hub in the city since the 90s, including as a home for Nottingham Street Pastors. On the drinks menu you’ll find a range of craft beers, including plenty of rotating specials. If you want a break from alcoholic drinks, it does an amazing Maltesers-topped hot chocolate. Plus, it’s one of the best places for Sunday roasts around the area.
5. The Tap House
A 10-minute walk from Malt Cross, but once you get to this part of town, you won’t have to do a lot of walking for the rest of the crawl. The premise of this pub is that you get given a card, which then allows you to pour as little or as much drink as you want. It has beers, ciders, and sometimes even cocktails. We also had a slice of pizza from Fat Frank’s, which is located inside.
Top tip: If you do want a proper lunch break mid-crawl, ramen spot Everyday People (theeverydaypeople.co.uk) is just next door.
6. Junkyard/The Kilpin Beer Cafe
We put these two together as the buildings join up, and they share a beer garden. The Kilpin is named after Herbert Kilpin, who founded AC Milan and was born on Mansfield Road, Nottingham. The Kilpin has varied continental beers on draft, while Junkyard specialises in craft beer and serves some mean cocktails if you want to mix things up. We sampled its spicy pickle margarita to spice up this leg of the pub crawl. The beer garden isn’t huge, but there is lots of seating inside at both pubs, so you won’t be left standing.
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7. The Angel Microbrewery
This is the only pub on the main list that makes its own beers on site. Its Angel Brews are made from seasonal hops, and it has brown ales, pale ales, IPAs, and more. The bar also stocks a variety of vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a 0.5% beer on draft, in case you’re going low alcohol or need a break after the six pubs prior to this. Inside has comfy seating — especially upstairs — and it has a hidden beer garden, a sunny rooftop terrace, and seating around the exterior. The food menu here is also good for pub crawls, with small plates, burgers, and tacos.
8. Fox and Grapes
We often go to this Sneinton Market pub even when we aren’t pub crawling, as it has a lovely outside area perfect for people watching and Castle Rock Brewery beers on draft. True crime fans might be interested to know that the unsolved ‘Pretty Windows’ murder took place here, with publican George Wilson’s violent demise happening outside the pub. Next to the bar, the scent of fried chicken might tempt you towards the end of the crawl — that is Chucky’s Chicken, which has burgers, tenders, and loaded fries.
Top tip: You could easily settle into Sneinton Market, with Neon Raptor (neonraptorbrewingco.com), Working Man’s Kitchen (@workingmanskitchen), GB Cafe (facebook.com/Gbcafeandrestaurant), and The Bath Inn (@thebathinn) all based here, to name but a few.
9. The King Billy
This was one of two city centre pubs named in The Telegraph’s top 500 pubs in the country, and it has a reputation for being brilliant for a reason. This family-owned, independent venue has a varied range of cask ales, craft beers, and ciders. Plus, it has a well-loved interior with personal touches and an outdoor terrace with colourful lights and greenery. On this also sits Carolina’s Chilli (@carolinas_chilli), which serves vegan and gluten free Tex-Mex nachos, tacos, and empanadas.
We finished our pub crawl at this point. Nottingham train station is a 15-20 minute walk away from here and is a simple, mostly straight route that beer goggles will be able to navigate. Or, it’s a 10-minute drive if you want to get a taxi.
Honourable mentions
While these aren’t on our ultimate route, they are all worth visiting and can even be added on if you want to extend the crawl.
Vat and Fiddle
Another Telegraph-lauded pub and the brewery tap for Castle Rock, you could start the crawl here or have one more drink before going home. castlerockbrewery.co.uk
Cured
This is located a stone’s throw from the station on the way to The Canalhouse, and is a great spot to wait for any late comers. Plus, its outdoor seating is nestled right by the canal. curedcafeandbars.co.uk
Tap and Tumbler
Not quite on route, but for the music lovers this rock and metal bar offers live music, house ales and is just over from Rock City should your evening go that way. greeneking.co.uk
The Organ Grinder
Another one that is off piste, right at the top of Derby Road (which is steep enough without being full of ale!), but this is a Blue Monkey pub with great local beers, a secret terrace and a lovely open fire in the winter. bluemonkeybrewery.com
The Bell Inn
Just to the left of the road Malt Cross is on, this Grade II listed brewhouse dates back to the 17th century, contains two wells, and has oodles of character. greeneking.co.uk
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