Best Bars near The Grafton

Nestled on Newmarket Road in Cambridge, The Burleigh Arms is a vibrant gastropub that blends traditional pub charm with innovative Pan-Asian and British-inspired cuisine. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, creative dishes, and excellent service, it offers a welcoming space for casual dining, drinks, and social gatherings. The venue features a lively bar area, cozy dining rooms, and a courtyard, making it a versatile spot for locals and visitors alike.

The Tram Depot is a vibrant pub located at 5 Dover Street in Cambridge, known for its welcoming atmosphere, quality craft beers, and locally sourced food. It blends a traditional pub feel with a lively social scene, featuring live music nights and a variety of sharable dishes. Popular among locals and visitors alike, it offers a comfortable setting for casual dining and drinks in the heart of Cambridge.

Nestled in the heart of Cambridge on Prospect Row, The Free Press is a beloved traditional pub known for its warm atmosphere, excellent selection of ales, and thoughtfully prepared seasonal dishes including vegan options. With a cozy interior, a charming beer garden, and a commitment to quality British pub fare, it offers generous portions and a welcoming vibe for locals and visitors alike.

Nestled in the heart of Cambridge at 16A Orchard Street, The Elm Tree is a charming pub known for its intimate, friendly atmosphere and excellent selection of beers, including real ales and Belgian varieties. Its quirky interior, lively yet cozy vibe, and knowledgeable staff make it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike seeking quality drinks and convivial company in a relaxed setting.

The Blue Moon occupies a long-standing pub site on Norfolk Street in Cambridge's Petersfield district. It stands out for a rotating selection of around twenty craft keg lines and changing cask ales, monthly brewery takeovers, and an events calendar that includes quizzes, comedy, drag nights and live music. The two-bar layout offers a brighter front room with local photographs and a larger rear space used for events, plus a small rear yard of colourful tables. Opening hours run late on weekends, drawing a mixed local and student crowd for extended evening sessions rather than quick tourist stops. The venue operates as a sister pub to The Cambridge Blue and functions as an inclusive community space with a late licence uncommon in central Cambridge.

Nestled on Clarendon Street in Cambridge, The Clarendon Arms is a gastropub celebrated for its authentic Italian cuisine alongside classic British pub offerings. Known for generous seafood pasta, thin-crust pizzas, and a highly regarded Sunday roast, this cozy venue blends traditional pub warmth with a modern culinary twist. Its inviting atmosphere, attentive service, and popular cocktail deals make it a favored spot for locals and visitors alike.

Nestled on King Street in Cambridge, the Champion of the Thames is a quintessential British pub renowned for its authentic Victorian interior, award-winning ales, and warm, friendly atmosphere. A cherished spot for locals and visitors alike, it offers a taste of traditional pub culture with wood-panelled rooms, etched windows celebrating its rowing namesake, and a lively social vibe that captures the spirit of Cambridge’s historic pub scene.

The Cambridge Blue occupies two Victorian railway workers’ cottages on a side street east of Cambridge station. This independent freehouse maintains up to fourteen cask ales, a broad cider list and an extensive whisky range in a single-bar room that opens onto a large rear garden with picnic tables and a heated marquee. The pub draws locals, CAMRA members and visitors seeking straightforward real-ale drinking rather than themed or chain surroundings.

Nestled in a quiet corner of Cambridge, The Geldart is a distinctive gastropub celebrated for its exceptional ales, creative hot rock dining, and a vibrant retro music atmosphere. With a cozy interior featuring vintage musical instruments and a welcoming courtyard, it offers a unique blend of traditional pub charm and contemporary culinary flair, making it a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Fort St George is a traditional English pub located on Midsummer Common in Cambridge, dating back to the 16th century. Known for its charming riverside setting and classic character, it offers quality food and reasonably priced drinks in a welcoming atmosphere. Open daily from noon, this pub blends historic ambiance with lively social vibes, making it a favored spot for both locals and visitors seeking authentic British pub culture.