The Best Pubs in Derby

Step inside The Exeter Arms and discover the charm of a rural pub hidden in the city, with cosy dimly lit rooms and the laughter of regulars at the bar. This multiple award winning pub serves cutting edge pub food alongside great ales from Derby’s number one brewery, Dancing Duck. It is a dog friendly spot with a lovely beer garden, offering everything from classic pub grub to adventurous international cuisine. The pub also features hand picked wines from Europe and the New World, making it a brilliant traditional British pub for any occasion.

The Alexandra Hotel is a multi award winning pub dating back to around 1890 that offers a warm welcome and a regularly changing selection of quality ales from breweries like Castle Rock. It features traditional pub games such as darts, dominoes, and cribbage, and the car park even hosts the cab from a class 37 locomotive. With four ensuite letting rooms available from £30 per person per night, this pub celebrates its history as the birthplace of the Derby CAMRA branch in 1974 and maintains core values of quality beers at a reasonable price.

This is The Brunswick Inn, a multi roomed pub with its own on site micro brewery, the Brunswick Brewery. Known for excellent and inexpensive real ales brewed right there, it also offers decent bar food and great value. With a well run bar and good service, it is a must visit for anyone who appreciates top quality cask ales.

This pub is a true gem, celebrated for its fantastic real ales and exceptional value. As Derby's first micropub, it offers a wonderfully cozy setting where the friendly staff and regulars create a genuinely welcoming experience. It’s the perfect spot for anyone seeking a perfect pint in a charming, unpretentious local.

The Furnace Inn is a brilliant spot where a classic, traditional pub feel meets an exciting selection of craft beers on keg and in cans. The real ales are excellent and reasonably priced, and the friendly staff and landlords create an incredibly welcoming environment. Make sure to pop in for their Wednesday cheese night or keep an eye out for their fun tap takeovers, especially if you can snag a table in their lovely beer garden.

Step into The Greyhound, a historic pub dating back to 1734 that masterfully blends centuries old charm with a lively, modern spirit. You can grab a pint of superb real ale from a local brewery, then wander out to the walled garden or roof terrace for a truly special pint al fresco. The food is just as exciting, with a legendary burger and a Sunday roast featuring incredible cheese leeks that you absolutely must try.

Mr Grundy's Tavern is a dog friendly pub that is home to the on site Mr Grundy's Brewery, offering great real ale and a fine selection of ales and whiskey. The larger here is refreshing, and on nice days sitting outside is relaxing. You must try the beer from the onsite brewery.

The Flowerpot is a foremost real ale pub on the edge of the city centre, celebrated for its real music and great value. It offers a fantastic lineup of live music, including free nights for up and coming young people, alongside awesome Nepalese and Indian cuisine on Tuesdays. With real ale, a dog friendly policy, and a welcoming family atmosphere until 7:30pm, this pub is a brilliant spot for groups.

The Babington Arms is an award-winning Wetherspoon pub offering superb quality, choice, and value in both food and drink. It is known for its excellent breakfasts made from good quality ingredients and a fantastic selection of real ales, with one tip describing it as one of the best in the UK for choice. The all-day menu features traditional meals alongside popular and innovative international dishes. Service is very quick, with friendly staff and decent food at reasonable prices.

The Golden Eagle is a brilliant brewery tap for Titan Brewery, pouring superb real ales in a space that blends traditional charm with eclectic touches. It’s a wonderfully dog friendly spot where you can settle in for a proper pint and feel right at home. The whole place buzzes with the energy of a true local gem, perfect for anyone who loves great beer and good company.