The Back Street Pubs
The name given to the community of pubs to found in the cosmopolitan Mill Road Area (surely the most fascinating road in the country?). The close proximity of the Back Street pubs make them ideal for a pub crawl.......
The Live and Let Live
The pub man's pub. Small, cosy, wood-panelled with excellent real ales and Belgian beers. Rum fests from time to time. Regular award winner.
40 Mawson Road (tel: 01223 460 362).
Just around the corner is Cambridge's first CAMRA pub, the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Road.
Also nearby is the cosy Six Bells, Covent Garden, which offers a steak and chips feast for under £6 on Thursdays. Quiz night on Monday (free chips) and open mic on Wednesdays from 8pm.
TheAlexandra Arms
Recently re-opened under new management: Craig and Jenna Bickley, who also run the Free Press. The Alex now offers 8 real ales, four of them not tied to Greene King. Food is served lunchtime and evenings. Look out for the delicious locally made Camcattle pies and pasties. Wood burning stove in winter. Three course for dinner for £10 from Mon-Wed.
Gwydir Street. (tel:01223 324 505)
Fine range of ales and imported beers, plus some very tasty food. The 'recession menu' offers high-quality meals for around a fiver. Gets busy, but diners can book.
33, Kingston Street (tel: 01223 361 868).
The Geldart
A real rarity, a pub which has been refurbished and re-invented with no loss of character. Hugely popular with diners is the meat cooked on hot rocks. Regular music nights. Essential to book if eating.
1 Ainsworth Street (tel: 01223 314264)
Huge range of real ales and foreign beers. Gwydir Street (tel: 01223 361 382)
The Devonshire
Now run by the Milton Brewery and completely refurbished. Has quickly become popular with real ale enthusiasts.
1 Devonshire Road (tel: 01223 316 610)
Sports-mad community pub offering bags of atmosphere on big match days. 5 large screens. A very warm welcome at all times from landlords Emma and Dave. Quiz night Tuesdays. Occasional music nights. Pizzas and light bites available throughout the day. Two open fires make it very cosy in winter.
184 Sturton Street (01223 576092)
The Earl of Beaconsfield
Under new management this has become a very welcome addition to the network of Cambridge community pubs. A relaxed and pleasant place to enjoy real ales and a thriving music venue. Blues jam on Sunday nights and acoustic jam on Tuesdays. Free entry to both. You will be surprised at just how good the musicians are. Also gigs on other nights and sporadic outbreaks of Irish folk music.
133 Mill Road (01223 247 761).
City Centre
The Eagle,
One of the oldest pubs in Cambridge. Used by the RAF and US 8th Air Force pilots during the Second World War. They wrote their names and squadron numbers on the ceiling, using lighters or candles. The 'RAF Bar' is preserved today pretty much as it was then. Not to be missed. Try a pint of Eagle DNA - Crick and Watson used to drink in the pub every lunchtime.
(8 Benet Street, Tel: 01223 505 020).
The Champion of the Thames
They don't come more traditional than this. Superb city pub offering a very warm welcome and a host of colourful characters. Open coal fire in winter. No food, but the beer is always top notch and eating is cheating anyway. Don't miss. Rugby pub. Great place to watch the Six Nations. (68, King Street)
The St. Radegund
Another Cambridge legend which should not be missed. Has its own boat club - www.radbc.co.uk, Also the headquarters of the Monday Hash House Harriers. Excellent range of ales. 129, King Street (tel: 01223 311 794).
The Maypole
Bang in the heart of historic Cambridge. Near St.John's College and Magdalene College. A stone's throw from the ADC Theatre. Good range of real ales and some hearty home made Italian food. Rugby shown.
20a Portugal Place (tel: 01223 352 999)
The Mill
Re-opened earlier this year after sympathetic refurbishment. Now once again one of the most popular city watering holes. Scenic location opposite the Mill Pond and Scudamore's punt station. Good range of real ales and ciders. Tasty pub grub includes home made sausage rolls and scotch eggs.
14 Mill Lane. 01223 357026
PUBS UNDER THREAT
Several Cambridge pubs are under threat of demolition by developers greedy for profits. These include the Flying Pig (see above) and the Zebra, which is closed at present but was a very popular and well-frequented pub in recent times. The Penny Ferry is another once popular and viable pub. It is located on the River Cam, enjoying one of the best settings in the county. A petition has been organised to save the Penny Ferry from destruction. Please click on the link below and sign up. Thank you.
