The Best Pubs in Chester-le-Street
In the historic market town of Chester le Street, nestled six miles north of Durham, the pub scene offers a remarkable blend of old and new. From traditional inns tucked away on quiet streets to lively riverside retreats along the Wear, you can find everything from real ales and hearty home cooked food to modern sports bars and vibrant live music venues. Many pubs welcome dogs, offer outdoor seating, and serve up exceptional value, making every visit feel like a local tradition. Come discover the best pubs in Chester le Street.


1. The Butchers Arms
Middle Chare, Chester-le-Street DH3 3QD, UK
Tucked away as a true hidden gem, The Butchers Arms is a proper traditional pub where exceptional real ales and a brilliant selection of drinks are served at remarkably reasonable prices. The welcome is second to none—both you and your dog will be treated like old friends, with canine visitors even getting their own treats. With its hearty home-cooked food on offer, a lovely outdoor seating area, and a warm, friendly vibe that makes every guest feel part of the local scene, this is the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.
Photo by Alexander P Kapp — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


2. The Wheatsheaf Inn
Durham Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 2AB, UK
Step inside The Wheatsheaf Inn and you’ll discover a wonderfully historic pub that delivers proper home cooked food and a genuinely warm welcome for everyone, including your four legged friends. The menu is packed with delicious options from hearty Sunday roasts to mouthwatering pizzas, all served by a friendly team who go above and beyond to make every visit special. With a fantastic selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, plus ample outdoor seating and plenty of space for groups and families, this is the perfect spot for a relaxed meal or a lively get together.
Photo by JThomas — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


3. The Rumpot
1 Red Rose Ter, Chester-le-Street DH3 3LN, UK
With a name that promises a proper good time, The Rumpot delivers on every level, blending a lively sports bar energy with the welcoming feel of a classic local. The drinks menu is a real highlight, offering a superb gin selection alongside the usual beers, wines, and expertly made cocktails, all served by a sharp and efficient team. Whether you’re catching the game, bringing the dog along to the outdoor seating, or dancing the night away to live bands, the energy here is absolutely infectious and perfect for groups of any size.


4. Cherry Tree
Goldcrest Rd, Washington, Ayton NE38 0DL, UK
For a brilliant blend of sports, live music, and a seriously good value menu, The Cherry Tree is the local you’ve been searching for. You can settle into the heated beer garden to catch the game on outdoor screens, or grab a table inside with your dog and tuck into hearty homemade chips and tasty flatbreads. With a full range of beers, wines, and cocktails on offer, plus a welcoming team that treats everyone like a regular, this is the perfect spot for a casual get together with friends or family.


5. The Church Mouse
Front Street, Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street DH2 3RJ, UK
The Church Mouse is a wonderfully welcoming pub where the food consistently delights, from festive feasts to fresh salads and hearty Sunday lunches. The team here is genuinely brilliant, offering speedy, friendly service that makes every visit feel special, whether you’re popping in with the dog or gathering a big group. With a tempting range of beers, wines, and cocktails, plus plenty of outdoor seating, this is a spot you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again.
Photo by Eirian Evans — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


6. Chester Moor
Front St, Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street DH2 3RJ, UK
Chester Moor is a cracking local that nails the balance between a lively sports pub and a proper home-cooked food destination, with a fantastic range of beers, wines, and cocktails flowing behind the bar. The team here are absolute stars, delivering friendly, attentive service that makes every visit a pleasure, whether you're bringing the whole group or your four-legged mate. With generous portions of hearty grub like a proper pastry-encased steak pie, a brilliant weeknight deal, and plenty of outdoor seating, this is the kind of place that keeps you coming back for more.
Photo by Oliver Dixon — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


7. The Havelock Arms
Bonemill Ln, Washington NE38 8AJ, UK
Nestled along the banks of the River Wear, The Havelock Arms is a charming riverside retreat where friendly service and homely character create the perfect spot to unwind. The bar is packed with local ales, wines, and cocktails, while the seasonal menu offers traditional pub classics made with care. With a lovely outdoor terrace, live music, and a warm welcome for both groups and dogs, this is a delightful place to gather any day of the week.
Photo by JThomas — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


8. The Whitehills
Waldridge Rd, Chester-le-Street DH2 3AB, UK
The Whitehills is a fantastic, wallet-friendly local where the food consistently hits the mark, from generous kids' portions to flavourful hotshot parmos and hand cut chips. The team is wonderfully knowledgeable and friendly, making sure everyone from large groups to four legged friends feels right at home, especially with the secure rear beer garden for dogs to enjoy. With a cracking range of beers, wines, and cocktails, plus live music and sports on the screens, this is the perfect spot for a relaxed, great value meal or a lively afternoon out.
Photo by Graham Robson — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


9. The Moulders Arms
Peareth Terrace, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 2LW, UK
The Moulders Arms has been given a brilliant new lease of life, making it a must-visit local once again with its welcoming bar, lounge areas, and a fantastic beer garden perfect for groups and dogs alike. The food here is a real triumph, with generous, tasty portions like the fabulous fish and chips and a lovely corned beef pie that have diners already planning their return. With a well stocked bar offering beers, wines, and cocktails, plus plenty of space to catch the game, this refreshed neighbourhood pub is an absolute winner.
Photo by Ian S — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


10. The Garden Farm
1 Carlingford Rd, Chester-le-Street DH2 3EH, UK
The Garden Farm is the heart of the local community, a place where newcomers quickly become regulars thanks to its brilliant pub quiz and lively juke box. You’ll find a cracking selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, plus a welcoming space for groups, dogs, and sports fans alike. With live bands rocking the recently refreshed concert room and plenty of outdoor seating, this is the perfect spot to meet old friends and make new ones.




