A complete guide to Bury St Edmunds’ ‘Ale Trail’ just in time for your next pub crawl

It’s no secret that pubs in Bury St Edmunds are not scarce, but are you looking for the perfect step-by-step guide to Bury St Edmunds pubs for your next pub crawl? Discover our Ale Trail complete guide!

The historic town of Bury St Edmunds is the perfect place to experience delicious real ale and unique craft beer. Known as the beer capital of Suffolk and the home to the iconic Greene King Beer, Bury St Edmunds has a brewing history dating back to 1,000 years. In 1086, monks brewed ale on the site of the Great Abbey using water from Bury’s chalk wells, which are still used today by Greene King.

In the mid-18th century, it is said that there were around 150 pubs in Bury St Edmunds. Although the number has dropped significantly since then, Bury St Edmunds still has a variety of pubs where you can enjoy a pint or two. From award-winning public houses to unique bars, there is a great choice of real ale and craft beer, as well as live music, beer festivals, and quiz nights throughout the year, providing something for everyone!

Located in Cornhill off the Buttermarket and opposite Moyse’s Hall,  Adnams Cellar and Kitchen has a fabulous range of Adnams Beers and Spirits created in Southwold. The Brewery was established in 1872 and still has the Adnams Family involved in the business.

Find out more: Adnams  

Beautiful Beers was established in 2011 by Rene van der Oort and is dedicated to bringing some of Europe’s finest beers to East Anglia. This independent shop stocks a variety of award-winning beers, with many winning special recognitions from CAMRA. The range covers mostly European countries, with a focus on beers from Belgium and the Netherlands. The shop also stocks a range of beers from local East Anglian micro-breweries. 

Find out more: Beautiful Beers

Situated on Abbeygate Street Bury St Edmunds, this beautiful Grade 2 listed building hosts a venue that will appeal to all ages and beer drinkers. When visiting Boosh you will find two bars, serving a fabulous array of drinks. As well as their selection of spirits, Boosh serves unique beers on draught, including Mosaic from Adnams and Inedit from Estrella. This is definitely one to add to your next pub crawl. 

Find out more: Boosh

Named after a nocturnal bird seen in the area of East Anglia, this bar located on St Andrew’s Street South in Bury St Edmunds serves a selection of cocktails, premium lagers, craft beer and more. A contributing member of our Ale Trail, this bar should definitely be part of your next night out or just to enjoy a beer after work. 

Find out more: Nightjars

This historic pub and Grade II listed building is located just a stone’s throw from the Greene King Brewery and Abbey Gardens. The Dog & Partridge provides a quintessential british pub experience through ales, wines and spirits and makes for a perfect addition to your next pub crawl around to town centre.

Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, Edmundo Lounge is an eccentric-style cafe/bar sitting just on the corner of Market Square. Impressively, this former pub and hotel has a list of recorded landlords that dates back as far as 1791! Edmundo Lounge serves a variety of beer, ale, cocktails, wines and more.

Find out more: Edmundo Lounge 

Are you looking for the perfect place to get to know Greene King beers better in Bury St Edmunds? Look no further than the Greene King Beer Cafe.

Located right next to the brewery, the beer café stocks a full range of Greene King and Belhaven beers, clothing, gifts and chutneys. Perfect for presents or stocking up the fridge! The Beer Café is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

Find out more: Greene King Beer Cafe

Located on Brentgovel Street, The Kings Arms is a community pub offering cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, premium wines, spirits and weekend cocktail jugs. For the perfect spot to enjoy your favourite tipple, there is a spacious garden or sofa area inside. For those who prefer to settle down inside, there are several TVs throughout, showing various live sports and music events. 

Find out more: Kings Arms

This award-winning brewery and distillery has a range of distinctive alcohol and non- alcoholic drinks across two locations in Suffolk. The Nethergate Shop and Taproom in Bury St Edmunds is the brand’s second retail store, where you can visit and enjoy Nethergate’s full range plus a selection of Suffolk beers, ciders, wines and spirits.

Find out more: Nethergate Brewery Shop

Oakes Barn is a great independent pub that is a proud part of the Bury St Edmunds Ale Trail. They serve six real ales and a selection of craft beer and lager, an excellent range of wines, gins, and ciders alongside hearty and locally sourced homemade food. Oakes Barn strongly emphasises their community spirit, embracing historical links to the town.

Since opening in 2013, they have been featured in the Good Beer Guide and have won town and community pubs, from CAMRA and various other local awards.

Find out more: Oakes Barn

Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, Queens is a welcoming bar and grill serving top-quality food and drink! In addition to delicious American-style food with a Suffolk twist, Queens Bar and Grill offers a range of Suffolk draught products, including Aspall cider and Adnams Ghost Ship. They also have Madri, Peroni, and Staropramen on, as well as a pale ale from a West Yorkshire Brewery called Salt. 

Find out more: Queens Bar and Grill

Located at the historic landmark Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds is the Hotel’s Bar and Eaterie. The stunning dining room blends historical charm with a modern British menu and a variety of beers, ales, wines, champagnes, cocktails and more. You can even take in the views of Bury’s iconic Abbey Gardens while you enjoy your pint!

Find out more: The Angel Hotel

The Bushel, of St John’s Street, boasts a friendly staff and an informal environment. Just a five-minute walk from Abbey Gardens, this 15th-century coaching inn is in the perfect location to take advantage of both indoor and outdoor seating and enjoy a drink. Serving Greene King Ales and locally sourced seasonal food, it is the perfect spot to sit and unwind with friends. The Bushel is also a traditional-style inn that offers a warm welcome, great hospitality and everything you need in a hotel.

Find out more: The Bushel

First opening in 1888, The Constitutional Club now offers a private members bar with a pool table and dart board for £15 a year and is open until 10:30 pm in the week and 11 pm on the weekend. Their floral beer garden is also heated, making it suitable all year round, and a perfect part of Bury St Edmunds’ Hidden Gems’ and ‘Ale Trail’.

Find out more:  The Constitutional Club 

The Corn Exchange Wetherspoons is a unique, grade 1 listed 19th Century building, designed by Ellis & Woodward, and costing £7,000. The building began trading as the Corn Exchange in 1862 and was refurbished in 2012 by JD Wetherspoons, keeping much of the original character and personality.

With plenty of draught and bottle beers, ales, ciders, wines and spirits, and their famous ‘pitcher cocktails,’ you will be spoilt for choice in the evenings.

Find out more: The Corn Exchange 

Positioned on Eastgate Street, this 18th Century Inn and restaurant features beautiful boutique hotel rooms in a converted barn. With a cosy environment, perfect for enjoying food and drink, The Fox Inn boasts helpful staff a wide range of craft ales and welcomes dogs with open paws.

As a short walking distance from the town centre and open every day of the week until 11 pm, why not pop in for a drink?

Find out more: The Fox Inn 

The Grapes is in a great central location to stop off for a drink, catch up with friends or enjoy a bite to eat. The venue also features a heated courtyard that can be enjoyed all year round. The Grapes is famous for its weekend rock bands and other entertainment during the week, ranging from karaoke to open mic nights.

Find out more: The Grapes 

In the centre of town, The Masons Arms is the Greene King flagship for their ales. The 16th-century building has one of the largest ranges of beers in town, including several micro-brewed beers.

The floral courtyard garden features flowers and ivy and is full of sunlight throughout the summer months. During summer, The Masons Arms also boasts the only outside bar in Bury St Edmunds, called ‘The Masons Elbow.’ Open from 12 pm-11:30 pm/12 am every day, it is a great place to stop after work or enjoy your evening.

Find out more: The Masons Arms

Holding the title of the smallest pub in Britain and confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records, The Nutshell is a little pub with a big personality! First opening its doors in 1867, this venue is unique in its decoration, including mummified cats and military vehicle parts.

Quintessentially British, this pub is a must-stop, as despite its size, it still offers several draughts, beers, ciders, spirits and soft drinks.

Find out more: The Nutshell 

The One Bull is located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds and is part of the independently owned Gusto Pronto family. Featured in The Guardian’s October 2022 ‘30 of the best UK pubs for Sunday lunch’, this pub offers a range of delicious drinks and food and even brews its own beer at the craft brewery, Brewshed, just down the road.

So whether you would prefer to sit at the bar, lounge on the sofas or grab a tipple and a bite to eat in the restaurant, there is something for everyone.

Find out more: The One Bull 

A genuinely independent free house in Bury St Edmunds and the only brew pub in Suffolk where you can actually see beer in the making regularly. The beers are made on the premises using East Anglian-grown and malted barley and choice hops.

As well as delicious and locally brewed beer, The Old Canon Brewery was awarded runners-up in the Suffolk Food & Drink Awards for Best Food Pub!

Formerly known as The Black Boy, The Westgate Pub is a delightful, welcoming traditional pub with a warm welcome for everyone, located just a few minutes from the city centre.

As well as serving the finest cask-conditioned Greene King Ales, and a large selection of beers, lagers and spirits, this pub also features new en-suite accommodations that make for a great bed and breakfast location whilst you explore all that Bury St Edmunds has to offer.

Verve Bar and Restaurant, located on Woolhall Street, consists of two floors of evening entertainment. All bars are fully equipped for any type of drink you could want; beer, cider, wine, cocktails, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks.

Find out more: Verve 

Vespers is a Belgian Beer specialist situated in an 18th-century stable house. They sell 15 drought taps and 50 different types of bottled beers, from easy-drinking blonde beer, to Trappist ales and Lambic Gueuze beers.

The downstairs area is great for grabbing a quick drink at the bar, especially if you know what you want. Upstairs is the perfect spot for meeting up with friends, enjoying some time drinking beer, and playing one of the board games available. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are there to help you pick the perfect beer for you.

Find out more: Vespers 

The Beerhouse in Bury St Edmunds offers an extensive selection of craft beers to suit every taste. Whether you’re a seasoned beer lover or new to the craft scene, you’ll find a diverse range of flavours to enjoy.

Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, in sight of Greene King’s Westgate Brewery, this traditional pub offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With two bars and a separate off-sales hatch, it provides a charming glimpse into the past. It is a Grade II listed building with a CAMRA heritage interior, nestled within the town’s conservation area. Visitors can enjoy a variety of beers, with at least one mild always available on handpump.

For the full list of Ale Trail businesses, visit our page to find out more information.