Late-night pubs and bars in Bury St Edmunds you will love

Pubs, bars, and clubs to explore in the evenings across Bury St Edmunds are not scarce. Whether you’re looking for a quick round after work, a cosy spot to enjoy your first date or an upbeat place to catch up with friends, Bury St Edmunds town centre has plenty of late-night venues.

When it comes to bars in Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds has a great range, including sporty, hidden, chilled and lively. Whether you prefer having a drink at the start of the evening or if you’re looking to stay up all night, keep reading to explore some late-night entertainment venues in the town centre.

The Secret Distillery is exactly as it sounds: secret! Hidden away in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, this stylish 1920s speakeasy offers top-quality drinks, including a selection from small, local companies Humber Doucy Brewing Company, Ampersand, Suffolk Village Ciders, Herbarium, Scobby’s and Vino Gusto, and a range of award-winning London gin from their own distillery: Betty’s, Rosie’s and Ivy’s.

In addition to offering cocktail masterclasses, they also hold a quiz night on Thursdays and a Secret Supper club on Saturdays. Closed Monday – Wednesday, The Secret Distillery is open until late for the rest of the week.

Baskervilles sophisticated and theatrical bar offers craft cocktails, a selection of cold drinks, wines, beer and even nibbles.

Split into two levels, the Gin Lounge is located on the ground floor and is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 6 pm onwards. The 1920s-inspired speakeasy bar comes alive in the basement on Fridays and Saturdays.

The speakeasy is available to hire for whatever event you have in mind, call or enquire online. For regular bookings, no need to book; simply turn up and enjoy a cocktail (or two!).

Find out more: Baskervilles

Named after a local nocturnal bird species, Nightjars is a new modern bar, run by a family trio. During the day, customers can enjoy coffee and pastries, but at night, join the party where cocktails are served all evening.

DJs, events, and themed nights are organised throughout the week, with food vendors making an appearance for customers to enjoy.

Find out more: Nightjars

The Bushel, of St John’s Street, boats 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 or a bite to eat as the evenings start to get lighter. Serving Greene King Ales and locally sourced seasonal food, it is the perfect spot to sit and unwind with friends.

Find out more: The Bushel 

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.

This chain pub offers an affordable and vast breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu as well as weekly steak nights, curry nights, and Sunday roasts. 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

Located on Bentgrovl Street, The Kings Arms is a community pub offering cask-conditioned ales, craft beers, premium wines, spirits and weekend cocktail jugs. The menu boasts a variety of dishes, including hot dogs, pizzas, sandwiches, curry, chilli, lasagne, and fish & chips.

There is a spacious garden or sofa area inside to relax from 11 am every day to 10 pm on weekdays and 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. For those who prefer to settle down inside, there are several TVs throughout, showing various live sports and music events.

Find out more: The Kings Arms

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. Deals such as Seniors’ meals, Sunday Specials and pub classics can be enjoyed every week. Open every day of the week, and with late licences for the weekend, there is something for everyone.

Find out more: The Grapes 

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 

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 

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 

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

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 Greek 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.

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

The Wine Cellar offers over 80 different types of wine from across the world, including: England, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Romania, Portugal, New Zealand, USA, Croatia, Lebanon, and Macedonia. Enjoy in or take away to appreciate at home. If you’re opting to dine in, you can benefit from the range of small plates specially chosen to complement the wine options available.

Open until 10 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 11 pm Friday to Saturday, The Wine Cellar can be a spontaneous stop, or the destination for your private events, wine tastings, group bookings or cocktail master classes.

Find out more: The Wine Cellar 

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.

They host several events throughout the year, including cheese and wine tasting, hidden outdoor BBQs, beer garden, pool competitions, snooker leagues, karaoke and much more after the recently formed event committee.

Their floral beer garden is also heated, making it suitable all year round, and often features as part of Bury St Edmunds’ Hidden Gems’ trail.

Find out more: The Constitutional Club 

Verve Bar and Restaurant, located on Woolhall Road, 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.

Their extensive cocktail menu boasts over 50 house, classic, premium and spritz drinks. The venue downstairs offers woodfired pizza, small bites, salads, and sharing plates until late! Finish the evening up the stairs in the club on the dance floor!

Verve is open until 11:30 on Sundays, 12:30 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Find out more: Verve Bar and Restaurant

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 Belgium Beer Bar 

Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, Edmundo Lounge is an eccentric-style cafe/bar sitting just on the corner of Market Square. From Cheeky Mondays to Tapas Tuesdays and Teatime Tipples, Edmundo Lounge has something for everyone.

Impressively, this former pub and hotel has a list of recorded landlords that dates back as far as 1791!

Find out more: Edmundo Lounge 

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

Located on Churchgate Street in the City Centre, Queens Bar and Grill is an independent smokehouse and bar with a strong focus on ‘farm to fork’, serving lamb and rare breed pork from the Chef-owner, Ben’s own smallholding!

This restaurant and bar also features quirky cocktails, is dog-friendly, and has a courtyard garden where you can enjoy delicious drinks and BBQ treats in the sunshine!

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 wines, champagnes, cocktails and more. You can even take in the views of Bury’s iconic Abbey Gardens while you eat.

As well as delicious food and drink options, the venue also features newly refurbished atmospheric vaults where you can book and attend steak nights, underground supper clubs and Friday night socials.

Find out more: The Angel Hotel Eaterie 

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: Green King Beer Cafe 

To further explore these dynamic evening venues of Bury St Edmunds, be sure to check out the interactive town map or follow the Ale Trail.

For the full list of businesses, visit our website here.