Cambridge Nightlife Tips by Airpunk Top 5 Page for this destination

The Empress: Excellent pub, known for its quiz nights

This pub is a real students' haunt and due to its location, tourists usually do not find it. It is located in an area usually referred to as Romsey town, an old workers' area off Mill Road. Their weekly pub quiz (tuesday) is probably the most popular and one of the most challenging in town. Other events like comedy and music take place regularly as well, but due to space reasons, many of them were moved to the "brother" pub called the Emperor. The Empress has usually a good choice of ales and gets pretty full from around 8 pm, especially on pub quiz nights. Decoration focuses on pictures from good old Queen Victoria. Pub games are available, but sometimes there is just no space to play them....

Good pub and probably one of the best places to meet locals (especially students) instead of tourists.

Address: Thoday Street, Cambridge CB1 3AX

Directions: In the Mill Road area, north of Mill Road. Roughly between the Earl of Beaconsfield and Brookfields Hospital.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.empressbadboy.com/

King Street Run: The King among the pubs! City Centre Pubs Review

Probably, this is my favourite pub in Cambridge. At least, this was one of those pubs where I often brought visitors too or met with friends. Great place with punk/alternative music and the respective audience. A couple of pub games (darts, kicker) are available. Guest ales are often available and there are often special offers (for example buy three pints and get the chance to win a free prize - for example: More beer!). Even the building is great - the marks on the floor, the old comics on the ceiling and the effect of the broken down 1st floor (which is only open when it becomes really full). Sport events are regularly transmitted on two screens, some even Not the cheapest pub, but surely not the most expensive. Great atmosphere, with a lot of people on weekends. Definitively, my top choice in Cambridge.

See my local costum tip for info on the event called "King Street Run", which also involves this pub

Dress Code: With coat and tie, you would look as if you were completely lost....

Address: 86 King Street, Cambridge, CB1 1LN

Directions: Right in the middle of King Street, in the northeast of the city centre

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.thekingstreetrun.co.uk/

Portland Arms: Good place to see live bands Live Music Venues Review

One of the best addresses for live music in Cambridge, it usually becomes pretty full on weekends. The place is divided into two zones, one with the music stage and one which resembles more a classic pub. For some events, you will have to pay an entry fee to see the band(s). I went twice there, once just for a beer and on another day to see some bands as part of a music festival. The atmosphere was always lively and friendly. There is also a food menu (note that the kitchen has limited opening times) which looks pretty good. Unfortunately, I can't say very much about it. Definitively the heart of the entertainment area at Chesterton Road and a place you should consider, if you like an evening with a band playing live at the stage. Check their website for actual gigs.

Dress Code: None

Address: 129 Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 3BA

Directions: Right in the middle of Chesterton Road, within walking distance of the Fort St. George Pub on the other side of the Cam.

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.theportlandarms.co.uk/

The Castle: Overpriced Bar City Centre Pubs Review

an overpriced cocktail bar - some people say, they have style, but if they do it's not my kind of style. It is located in an old building, the interior is rather modern and the prices are probably the prices in this area of Cambridge. Most other guests seemed to be as misplaced as I was in this place or were young couples with an awful lot of money. I did not try the food, but the menu was in the same price category as the drinks. The place also serves as a B&B, however with the music (latest trends of Electro and House...) and the noise from the main street, I can't imagine that the sleep at The Castle is really good. The only factor in favour of this place was the friendly staff.
For real high-class style, go to the Hotel du vin, for a pub with individual character I recommend places like the Champion of the Thames or the King street Run. For food, there are wonderful Italian restaurants and the authentic Chinese "Seven Days" just a few steps away.

BTW, "The Castle" should not be confused with "The Castle INN" at Castle Street (located between the old castle mound and Magdalene Bridge). That one is a good pub with a food menu I would like to recommend.

Address: 37 Saint Andrews Street, Cambridge CB2 3AR

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.thecastlecambridge.co.uk

The Boathouse: Greene King Pub in the Chesterton Road area City Centre Pubs Review

The Boathouse is one of the many Greene King Pubs in Cambridge which are OK, but nothing more. It has the standard Greene King menu, the standard offers, interior and range of Guest Ales. Furthermore, it is located in an area where many other pubs (Fort St. George, Waterman, Old Spring, Tivoli and Portland Arms) are located within walking distance. As it is one of the larger pubs in Cambridge, it is good for a nice night out in a less crowded atmosphere. Furthermore, it offers some entertainment like bands and comedians on weekends – all a little quieter than the concerts in the nearby Portland Arms, but still good. The pub is frequented by students, but also other groups are seen here frequently.
As already said, it’s not a bad pub at all and there are surely some reasons to visit this location. However, there are surely also as many reasons to visit some of the other nearby pubs or those in the city centre. It’s just a standard Greene King Pub with nice entertainment on weekends.

Address: 14 Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 3AX

Directions: North to the city centre, right in the middle of Chesterton Road and close to the Palmerston Arms, variuous pubs and the junction with Victoria Avenue.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The Emperor: The Empress' younger brother

Not long before I went to Cambridge, the Emperor had a major makeover, including owner change. Quickly, the Emperor became the popular new kid with a number of changing activities. This does not include beer tasting events (which are held by almost every pub in Cambridge), but many other activities like open mic nights, live music, quiz nights etc. Pool and dart are available, although I would not recommend to have both in use at the same time. Note the hexagon shaped pool table. Unfortunately, the kitchen has very limited opening hours (only three hours for lunch and longer opening times for Sunday roast). If you are a student, you can count on discounts for meals between Monday and Wednesday. The atmosphere is good, the audience usually consists of students. Although the Emperor is open for the whole afternoon as well as for lunch, it does not seem to come to life before around 7 pm, especially on weekdays.
The Emperor is run by the same guys as the Empress, which has won many awards, including pub of the year in 2010. Definitively, one of the better choices in Cambridge!

Address: 21 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2

Directions: In the south of the city centre, between the Catholic Church and the Train Station

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Sir Isaac Newton: Large pub, nice atmosphere City Centre Pubs Review

You won’t expect anything special in a usual Greene King pub, but in this case nothing special can be a special attribute too. The Sir Isaac Newton is a normal kind of pub with a normal pub grub menu (although not the usual Greene King One), the usual lagers and a couple of guest ales. What makes the Sir Isaac Newton a good place to spend an evening is the mixed crowd, the friendly staff and the spacious location. It’s not as large as the Regal, but still one of the larger pubs in Cambridge. A couple of sofas are stuck in the one or other corner making these places very popular, especially with the groups of youngsters. Quiz nights take place regularly, but unfortunately I can’t say a lot about them as they never were on the evenings I was in. The Sir Isaac Newton is surely one of the better choices in this corner of Cambridge and not that far away from the city centre. It’s just a pity that you have to pass so many other pubs on the way before you reach this one.
The pub stands on the place where a Roman inn stood once upon a time, probably the first pub in Cambridge. However, that Inn has nothing to do with the present building or the present pub.

Address: 84 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AJ

Directions: Follow Magdalene Street and CAstle Street out of town, you will find the pub after a 10-15 minute walt on the right hand side.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The White Swan: Home of Irish Music in the Mill Road area City Centre Pubs Review

This place was among my favourite ones in Cambridge and together with the Earl of Beaconsfield the best in the Mill Road area. It's an Irish pub, just without hanging of the cliché of leprechauns, shamrocks and the “Fields of Athenry”. Still, you will find footie and rugby on TV, Irish newspapers available to read and the black stuff from St. James' Gate in Dublin. Other beers are available as well, of course, but the selection is not really large. There are sandwiches and other typical pub grubs on the menu, but please note that the kitchen has limited opening times. I was really surprised to see the probably largest sandwich in Cambridge with lots of salad and chips. For entertainment there are a couple of board games as well as darts. The left hand side of the pub is often used as a stage with regular Irish music sessions going on. On Paddy's day, the pub probably ran the best party in Cambridge! Unfortunately, this also means that the pub can become pretty full as well. If you need a break in between, please visit the Earl of Beaconsfield on the other side of the bridge. It is like a smaller version of the White Swan, but sometimes a little quieter.
Kudos to Steffi, who should by now be back in Germany. Best regards from the three drunken Germans who came in for a drink the day after St. Patrick's!

Address: 109 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2AZ

Directions: Mill Road, close to the railway bridge and the Earl of Beaconsfield

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The Earl of Beaconsfield: Something Irish in the Mill Road area City Centre Pubs Review

I once asked the barmaid what they were going to do on St. Patrick's Day and got the simple but probably best answer: “Live music and a lot of Guinness”. Together with the White Swan, the Earl of Beaconsfield is one of the few remains of Irish Heritage along Cambridge's Mill Road. But you should not expect shamrocks and leprechauns all over the wall and “Molly Malone” coming out of the stereo boxes. The “Beakey”, as it is often called, is a down to earth pub where locals come in for a pint but is welcoming to foreigners. Selection of beers is OK, food is not served but bar snacks such as crisps and peanuts are available. There are a couple of pub games such as dart and pool. The famous Irish live music sessions have moved to the White Swan for space reasons, but there are still live bands at the Earl of Beaconsfield as well.
I always regarded the Earl of Beaconsfield as a cosy, quieter alternative to the White Swan. However, the “Beakey” can get pretty full during weekends or special events as well. An excellent place to be considered on a night out in the Mill Road area.

Address: 133 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 3AA

Directions: Mill Road, close to the railway bridge and the White Swan.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The Pickerel Inn: Cambridge's Oldest Pub City Centre Pubs Review

The probably oldest pub in Cambridge is a classic beer pub – no gastro-experience world, no exotic cocktails, just ales, lagers and classic pub food and snacks. It is located in a medieval house with a low ceiling, although it looks far more modern from outside. Being mentioned first in the 15th century, it claims to be the oldest pub in Cambridge. Even as there is no real proof, I can’t even think of any real contestant for this claim.
The low ceiling, the wooden structure and the dark furniture gives it a classic pub atmosphere. Other than that, decoration consists of former sport trophy and pictures of the neighbouring Magdalene College. Guest ales (including some stronger ones) rotate frequently, but Guinness and the usual lagers are available too. The space is very limited, but during summer time a garden terrace is available too. Staff is friendly and food is surely not a culinary highlight, but still great and a change to the Greene King and Wetherspoon taste. Still, the pub belongs to a chain (Taylor Walker). Both times I went there I ordered sausages to share which were OK. The audience is mixed, although you will always find some more students and people in their mid-twenties in here. A real pub with real character I would like to recommend!

Dress Code: Not at all...

Address: 30 Magdalene Street, Cambridge CB3 0AF

Directions: In the northwest of the old town, close to Magdalene's Bridge, the Folk Museum, the Round Church and Castle Hill. The light blue building stands out and is easy to recognize.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.taylor-walker.co.uk/pub-food/pickerel-cambridge/pid-C3602