Pubs & Bars

After a hard day of sightseeing, shopping or exploring you may find you want to unwind in one of Colchester’s many watering holes. There’s plenty to choose from around the city centre.
Keep an eye out for Colchester Beer Festivals too. Colchester Arts Centre hosts summer and winter events in conjunction with Colchester CAMRA, and the East Anglian Railway Museum is home to the popular Chappel Beer Festival. Plenty of other pubs, breweries and organisations hold further events throughout the year as well.

For Real Ale

If you’re after a classic pub, with original features, low lights, occasionally sticky carpets and most importantly great beer you will need to wander slightly out of the city centre. To the North, towards the mainline station, lies The Victoria Inn, and Bricklayers Arms, whilst south of the city you can find The Odd One Out and The Old New Inn. All heartily recommended in CAMRA’s good beer guide.

In the city centre you can find some excellent craft beer bars as well, most notably the Queen Street Brew House, Three Wise Monkeys and Church Street Tavern.

For Cocktails

There’s plenty of bars serving both classic and original cocktails around the city. You could try the ever-popular Twisters Bar on North Hill.

For Food

If you’re after a bite to eat with your drink the historic and popular Purple Dog in the heart of city serves traditional pub food. You can find fancier fair at the excellent Church Street Tavern or The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie or tuck in to some American-style barbeque food and burgers at Three Wise Monkeys

For Dancing and Live Music

Fancy letting your hair down on a Saturday night? You’ll find plenty of pubs with live music and DJs. The Bull on Crouch Street has a great reputation for traditional pub bands playing originals and covers, there’s often great bands of exciting theme nights on the top floor of Three Wise Monkeys, and don’t forget to stop by Twisters Bar for a venue that prides itself on the music it plays.
For a really late night, head towards Queen Street where bars like the Silk Road and Fashion Cafe keep going as late as 4am.

For Something Familiar

If you don’t want to take a risk with the unfamiliar, Colchester has plenty of familiar chain pubs and bars as well, most notably the Wetherspoons called the Playhouse, which is located in a former Theatre and has the very impressive décor to match.