During my years living in Dublin, I discovered that there is one measure, above all else, by which most Irish judge a pub. It’s not by the atmosphere, food, or value for money – it’s by the quality of the Guinness.
‘Is it a good pub?’ I’d ask my Irish housemate Cormac. If it was, his simple response would be: ‘Ah sure, it does a great Guinness.’ It didn’t matter if the pub was an unheated tin shack on the side of a motorway; if its Guinness was cool, creamy, and held its shape, Cormac would rate it highly.
As any Guinness drinker will tell you, it’s not all served equally. Diageo (the owner of Guinness) sends out ‘quality teams’ to ensure a pub’s ‘black stuff’ meets certain standards. Devout publicans obsess over their pump pressure, cleaning routine and pouring technique, while hundreds of social media accounts are dedicated to exposing the very worst Guinness being served.
Hughie de Zulueta bravely spent the last ten years searching for Britain’s best pint of Guinness
Guinness is now Britain’s most popular pint, accounting for one in every nine sold. We’ve all heard about the recent Guinness shortages and so-called ‘Guinnfluencers’ ‘splitting the G’ – where drinkers use their first sip to bring the line of their pint down to the horizontal stroke on the logo’s ‘G’ – but what about Britain’s best pint of Guinness? Where is that found?
I’ve spent the last ten years searching for the country’s best pint of the black stuff. My hunt, quietly documented on Instagram (@pint_of_the_black_stuff_please), has taken me to over 1,000 pubs nationwide – and I’ve now settled on my very best ones.
So whether you’re planning Paddy’s Day or deciding where to go for a quiet pint, this is my definitive list of Britain’s 50 best pubs for a Guinness.
Note: To avoid skewing results, this list excludes Northern Ireland. Whether you believe the superstition or not – that Guinness doesn’t travel overseas well – my experience says that it’s simply a different ball game across Ireland.
LONDON
Angie’s Free House (Maida Vale)
If there were a first place on this list, Angie’s might be it. The genius of Angie’s is its humble simplicity – it’s one square room with a bar at the back, seven screens around the sides showing all different sports (although it doesn’t feel like a sports bar), a convivial local crowd, music at weekends, no food (just a ‘BYO’ policy), and an absolute cream pint of Guinness. At £4.50 a pint, it’s also the best value in London. I was hesitant to include Angie’s – wanting to keep it my secret – so, you can thank me later!
Coach & Horses (Covent Garden)
Run by the same Irish family since the 1980s, the Coach & Horses prides itself on its Guinness. The vintage red tap box from which the Guinness is drawn is the first giveaway that this establishment takes its black stuff seriously. However, it’s only when you taste it that you realise it’s a 10/10 pint (and hits even better alongside one of their hot sandwiches).
The Auld Shillelagh (Stoke Newington)
This is the pub most often cited as the ‘best pint of Guinness in the UK,’ and not without good reason. The Auld Shillelagh (pronounced: ‘Old-shil-ay-lee’) lights up that part of north west London with its traditional Irish music (‘trad’), live Gaelic (‘GAA’) sports showing, and devotion to consistently serving cool, creamy, black custard pints.
(theauldshillelagh.co.uk)
The Cow (Notting Hill)
The first thing you notice about The Cow is its energy and bustle. The second thing is that everyone’s on the Guinness. Drinkers are shoulder to shoulder and plates of oysters are passed around while the legendary barman, Petro, oversees proceedings. If you’re lucky, you might even see David Beckham in the corner (it’s allegedly his favourite spot for a Guiney-pig).
(thecowlondon.com)
The Devonshire (Soho)
Opened only recently in 2024, The Devonshire now sells more pints of Guinness than any other pub in the UK, reportedly around 20,000 a week. The brainchild of hospitality legend Oisin Rogers, you’d be forgiven for thinking the pub was created solely to celebrate the black stuff. Drawing thousands to its doors each week, it’s also one of the few places in Britain that offers Guinness Zero on tap.
(devonshiresoho.co.uk)
The Grenadier (Belgravia)
Tucked away down a quiet cobbled street, The Grenadier is now owned by Manchester United owner and billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The pub is the namesake inspiration behind his recent car manufacturing venture with the ‘Grenadier’ 4×4 (a model is now permanently parked outside the pub). The Guinness? First-rate, and best enjoyed in the wood-panelled interior alongside a serving of their beef Wellington.
(grenadierbelgravia.com)
The Guinea Grill (Mayfair)
A Mayfair institution founded in 1675 (with a pub on the site dating back to the 1420s), The Guinea Grill predates Guinness itself (1759) and has likely been serving the drink since its first brew. To this day the pub prides itself on a good pint of the G – a fact that is down to that Guinness whisperer, Oisin Rogers (creator of The Devonshire), who, until recently, presided over the bar. Order the Welsh rarebit, nurse a perfect pint, and spill out on to the mews with your Guinness in hand.
(theguinea.co.uk)
The Nags Head (Belgravia)
With its famous no-phones policy, The Nags Head takes you back to when there was no technology and no-nonsense. Love or loathe their policy, it serves a textbook pint of Guinness. Silky smooth, rich with roasted malt, and impossible to fault. A Guinness-first pub in every sense – just don’t even think about checking your phone while you drink it.
The Scarsdale Tavern (Kensington)
A country pub in the heart of Kensington, The Scarsdale feels like it’s been transported straight out of the Cotswolds. A favourite haunt of locals, and famously the site of Piers Morgan’s Christmas party – but don’t let that put you off. The Guinness here is surprisingly smooth and served in a warm, wood-panelled setting where pints flow freely.
(scarsdaletavern.co.uk)
The Sheephaven Bay (Camden)
The most reliable pint in Camden: an Irish pub devoted to the black custard, and it shows – poured slowly, served cold, with a thick, velvety head that lingers. You’re surrounded by a lively crowd, with the black champagne popping every day of the week.
(sheephavenbaycamden.co.uk)
The Toucan (Soho)
There is only one reason anyone goes to The Toucan: Guinness. Frankly, I’m not entirely sure it even serves another drink. This is less a pub and more a shrine to the black stuff. The walls are decked in vintage Guinness marketing, the bar stools resemble faux Guinness barrels, and the cupboards are stocked with Tayto crisps. The pour? Flawless. If you want a pint in London that tastes as though it was poured in Dublin and teleported straight to you, this is the place to go.
(thetoucansoho.co.uk)
The Uxbridge Arms (Notting Hill)
Set on a quiet street in London’s trendy Notting Hill, The Uxbridge Arms is owned by native Irishman Philip O’Sullivan – a man who has refined the nearly perfect Guinness. Whether it’s the distance from the barrels to the taps, the pipes’ cleaning regime, or the pour itself, O’Sullivan has perfected a very fine Guinness indeed. Pro tip is to order a portion of their UFC (Uxbridge fried chicken) alongside your drink.
(theuxbridgearms.com)
THE SOUTH EAST
Oddfellows Arms (Pulborough, West Sussex)
A countryside haven on the edge of the South Downs. In a county full of ale, this is a beacon for the Guinness-lover. Like a moth to a flame, let yourself be drawn in for their cool creamy pint, poured with care.
The Fiddlers Elbow (Brighton)
The undisputed king of Guinness in Brighton, this classic Irish pub is always buzzing and pouring the best pint in the city. Expect live sport, roaring laughter, and that thick, creamy Guinness that clings to the glass all the way down.
(fiddlerselbow.pub)
THE SOUTH WEST
Crown & Anchor (Ham, Wiltshire)
A hidden gem in the quaint Wiltshire village of Ham. The wood-panelled front bar serves as the heart of the pub, overseen by Ben, the barman who pours a Guinness that wouldn’t be out of place in Dublin. It’s slightly off the beaten track but worth the trip for a quiet pint and a packet of their fiery chilli crackers. They have a very welcoming dogs policy; last time I was there, a cheerful pack of four golden retrievers stole the show.
(crownandanchorham.co.uk)
New Inn (Clovelly, Devon)
One of the more surprising places I found a great Guinness was while heading down the steep, cobbled streets of this privately owned harbour village in North Devon. An absolute rocket ship-level Guinea-pig is the last thing you expect. But stepping into the New Inn and ordering a pint of the black stuff is a must. It’s as crisp, cool, calm, and collected a pint as I’ve had. I pressed the landlord for his secret sauce but failed to pry that information out of him.
(thenewinnclovelly.co.uk)
The Brunel (Bristol)
A Clifton favourite, renowned for its Sunday roast, bingo nights, and, importantly, a superb pint of Guinness. Poured with patience and care, this black elixir is smooth, rich, and possesses a structure that could have been crafted by Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself.
The Kings Arms (Didmarton, Gloucestershire)
South Gloucestershire’s finest: muddy boots, welcome dogs, and reliably good Guinness. Pair it with a fresh pizza from the outdoor oven, and you have a near-perfect pub stop.
(butcombe.com)
The Golden Lion (Port Isaac, Cornwall)
Port Isaac is renowned as a filming location for ITV’s Doc Martin, but the true highlight here is The Golden Lion’s black stuff. While the temptation in Cornwall is to opt for a Rattler or a local ale, selecting the Guinness (with a balcony overlooking the harbour and a salty sea breeze wafting in) is the only real choice at this pub.
(thegoldenlionportisaac.co.uk)
Seamus O’Donnells (Bristol)
A tiny Irish bar packed with character, cabaret, and Guinness memorabilia. Trinkets cover the walls and live music keeps the place lively. Nearly all drinkers opt for a Guinness; a telltale sign that a pub means business – and it does, delivering a particularly creamy hit.
Warren House Inn (Dartmoor, Devon)
One of the most remote pubs in the South West – perched high up in the Dartmoor National Park – where the log fire has been burning non-stop for over 150 years (it allegedly hasn’t been extinguished since 1845!). A pint of Guinness sat next to the famous fire feels like a reward – smooth, warming, and deeply satisfying after a windswept walk across the rugged landscape.
(warrenhouseinn.co.uk)
EAST OF ENGLAND
Coach House Hotel (Royston, Hertfordshire)
A grey flint bed and breakfast set alongside Newmarket Road. The Coach House’s drab, bleak exterior deters most passers-by and conceals its true identity as the anything-goes Ushuaia of East Anglia. If you can get past the Tottenham Hotspur-loving barman, you’ll find yourself enjoying a very honest Guinness indeed – several I’d wager, requiring you to check in for the night in one of their rooms.
(coachhousehotel.co.uk)
The Jubilee (Norwich, Norfolk)
Tucked away on a quiet city centre corner, The Jubilee is Norwich’s unassuming Guinness Mecca. No fuss, no fanfare – just a textbook pour every time. Cold, creamy, and perfectly settled, it’s the best pint in the city.
Shamrock (Ipswich, Suffolk)
The two giant shamrocks on the exterior are a dead giveaway that the Shamrock pub is serious about its Guinness. A suspicion that proves correct. It serves one of the sturdiest Guinness; it holds at a sharp tilt, is always served at the right temperature, and delivers every time. There’s a steady stream of the black stuff flying off the bar, making it the best pour in Ipswich – no contest.
MIDLANDS
The Old Contemptibles (Birmingham)
Victorian red brick, oak panelling, and a bar that stretches as long as a cricket pitch. The Guinness benefits from the short distance between barrel and pump, ensuring it is always fresh, always smooth, and always served with a flawless, creamy head.
(nicholsonspubs.co.uk)
The Spotted Dog (Birmingham)
An old-school, family-run slice of Ireland in the city centre of Birmingham. Live trad music, a lively crowd, and a bar where Guinness is poured with absolute care. This is a proper Irish pub where the black stuff is treated with the respect it deserves – and all us drinkers reap the benefits.
YORKSHIRE & HUMBER
The Blue Lion (East Witton, North Yorkshire)
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, East Witton’s The Blue Lion is both a haven for foodies and a dream for Guinness lovers. The bar staff – clad in white shirts and black waistcoats and ties – look like they’re Guinness personified. Whatever the weather, a pint of Guinness, paired with one of their hearty main courses, is always the preferred choice here.
(thebluelion.co.uk)
The Crown & Anchor (Barnsley, South Yorkshire)
A quintessential Yorkshire inn featuring a roaring fireplace and an unwavering dedication to a good Guinness. It’s served cool (not cold) with a thick, enduring head – the sort you could carve your name into.
(thecrownandanchor.com)
The Garrison (Barnsley, South Yorkshire)
Live music, live sport, and a Guinness pour that rarely misses, The Garrison is the beating Guinness heart of Barnsley – the pints are flying out and the atmosphere is always buzzing. And while the venue might be a little rugged, the Guinness is some of the smoothest out there.
The Leeds Irish Centre (Leeds)
For over fifty years, this has been the Irish headquarters in Leeds. Today, the Leeds Irish Centre boasts four lounges, live GAA, Irish dancing, and a Guinness culture that rivals Temple Bar. It’s located on the outskirts of the city, but remains an essential pilgrimage for lovers of the black stuff.
(theleedsirishcentre.co.uk)
NORTH EAST
Old George Inn (Newcastle)
The oldest pub in Newcastle, dating back to the 1500s and allegedly a favourite of King Charles I. Tucked just off Market Street, it’s the best spot for a Guinness in the city – especially when the barman works his magic on the foam, leaving markings on top of your pint like a personal signature. Just beware the baby Guinness shots they’re famous for!
(socialpubandkitchen.co.uk)
Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman’s Rest (Slaggyford, Northumberland)
A sporting inn in a quiet hamlet, the Kirkstyle underwent a major renovation in 2023, and the results are impressive. Gourmet food, good darts, and creamy pints await. Interestingly, the Guinness here is served in non-Guinness glasses – somewhat of a rarity these days – and it seems to work. The pour is excellent, the pint smooth and rich, and the journey out of your way is well worth it.
(theksi.co.uk)
NORTH WEST
Duffy’s Bar (Manchester)
Set on an unassuming corner in the Chorlton area of Manchester, Duffy’s has become legendary for its Guinness. The Duffy family (Peter, his wife Laura and their daughter Natalie) pour each pint with Irish love and precision. Smooth, cold, and perfectly settled, this is one of Manchester’s finest Guinness.
Mulligan’s (Manchester)
Often touted as ‘the best Guinness in Manchester,’ Mulligan’s likely serves the highest volume of Guinness in the city. It’s a large space, and always busy. And if overactive pipes are the secret to a good Guinness, then Mulligan’s definitely has the edge. Next to Deansgate, the red paint, Guinness signage, and traditional woodwork give the exterior a look straight out of Dublin’s Temple Bar.
(mulligansofdeansgate.com)
O’Sheas (Manchester)
Based on Princess Street, O’Sheas is weaved into the tapestry of Manchester culture. The Pogues have played here, the Man United Class of ‘93 partied here, and Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley has drunk here too. This is a proper Irish bar, with live music, good food (the O’Sheas egg is a must), and consistently sound Guinness.
(osheasirishbarm1.co.uk)
Pogue Mahone (Liverpool)
With its close proximity to Ireland and large Irish population, Liverpool’s Guinness standards are set high. But it’s this low-key pub – Pogue Mahone – which arguably comes out on top in the city for best Guiney. Stepping inside is like stepping into a celebration of Irish culture, with great trad music, fantastic craic, and crisp Guinness.
(apubcalledpogues.com)
Shenanigans (Liverpool)
Another Liverpool spot that proudly claims ‘best Guinness in the city’ – and they might be right. Standing alone as a solitary building in the city centre, it serves a pint that’s as creamy as they come.
(shenanigansliverpool.co.uk)
The Albert (Manchester)
Passing by The Albert in the Withington suburb of Manchester, you wouldn’t necessarily think to go in. If you did decide to enter, its sparse interior might make you question yourself again. Do not be put off! Proceed at pace to the bar and order a Guinness that will light up the room for you. This is a place where those who know, know. And when it comes to Paddy’s Day, they’re usually fairly generous with their prices (last year it was 3 pints for £10).
The Freemount (Manchester)
The Freemount, previously located on Oldham Street, is in the process of relocating (after failing to reach an agreement on its lease). Wherever it settles for its new site, I assure you that the Guinness will be just as good as they’ve always served it. I, for one, will be there straight after the opening to give it a try. These are individuals who take their Guinness seriously.
(thefreemount.co.uk)
The Salmon of Knowledge (Manchester)
A pub dedicated to the pursuit of Guinness perfection and enlightenment. The Salmon of Knowledge serves a particularly creamy head, with a pint that holds its shape. The pour is slow and deliberate; making it a custardy hit. With a second site opening soon, expect more of the same black magic coming to Manchester’s city centre.
(thesalmon.pub)
The Station (Manchester)
I have not enough good words to say about this special, unassuming place. People travel for miles to enjoy the Guinness here. And for good reason. The Station is one of Didsbury’s best-kept secrets. Sit, enjoy the craic, have a Guinness, take another (and another), chat to your fellow drinkers, then stumble to the Domino’s next door. You will leave satisfied and realising you have relished Guinness of the highest quality.
(marstonspubs.co.uk)
WALES
Blue Bell (Cardiff)
Wales isn’t known for its Guinness, but The Blue Bell proves an exception. Near Cardiff Castle, it serves a pint as good as anything across the Irish Sea. The volume of Guinness being drunk is a particularly good sign, and the taste delivers.
(bluebellcardiff.co.uk)
The Bryn Hir Arms (Criccieth, Gwynedd)
Among all the pubs on this Top 50 list, The Bryn Hir Arms, nestled in rural Wales, is the one closest to Ireland (only 50 miles as the crow flies). Clearly, something has rubbed off from this proximity. It serves a cool pint of Guinness with a thick head, consistently creamy. A simple-looking spot with a lovely garden, but it’s the pint that keeps people coming back.
Flute and Tankard (Cardiff)
Set in Cardiff’s city centre, the Flute and Tankard serves if not the best then certainly the city’s most consistent pint of Guinness. The barman’s attention to detail is forensic, ensuring quality from barrel to pour and delivering a clean, fresh-tasting Guiney every time.
(thefluteandtankard.com)
SCOTLAND
Brazen Head (Glasgow)
At its core, the Brazen Head is a Celtic FC fan pub, boasting a vibrant atmosphere – especially on match days. Buses depart from the pub to the games, and they offer the best-value pint of Guinness around. It just so happens that it is also a smooth criminal-level pint of the old G. The secret surely has something to do with all those Hoops fans frequenting the place week in, week out.
(brazenhead.net)
Finnegan’s Wake (Edinburgh)
Situated on Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s city centre, Finnegan’s Wake is a classic Irish pub done right. With live music, live sports, great craic, and Guinness served as it ought to be.
(finnegans-wake.co.uk)
Jinty McGuinty’s (Glasgow)
Set on the cobbled stones of Glasgow’s Ashton Lane, Jinty McGuinty’s is the real deal – no gimmicks, no plastic shamrocks, just a proper Irish pub that takes its Guinness seriously. The beer garden even has a dedicated Guinness patio; the perfect spot to enjoy the black beauties served here.
(jintys.co.uk)
Kay’s Bar (Edinburgh)
A tiny, hidden gem tucked off the beaten track, you wouldn’t pick Kay’s Bar at first glance. Stepping inside though, the red and wood-panelled interiors with an aged carpet exude pure charm. While away the afternoon in a place that serves only electric-grade Guinness.
(kaysbar.uk)
The Laurieston Bar (Glasgow)
The Laurieston Bar is a time capsule in central Glasgow. Both outside and inside, it seems to have remained unchanged since the 1970s. Thank God; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it – they found a formula for great Guinness and keep on delivering it. The pint is cool, creamy, holds its shape, clings to the glass on the way down, and hits home.
The Aragon Bar (Glasgow)
My favourite drinking experience on a recent trip to Glasgow was at The Aragon Bar. In the north west of the City, off Byres Road with an unassuming exterior, the tourist is unlikely to stumble across it. But those who know, know; The Aragon’s reputation in Guinness circles precedes it. My visit here was a black champagne-level event – several consistently quality creamy Guiney-pigs followed and I left incredibly satisfied; you will too.
