Revealed: Britain’s best pubs for live music

The UK is a nation of live music lovers, with no shortage of pubs to discover your new favourite music acts.

Eat Drink Meet – the website and app that helps people discover the best pubs, bars, and restaurants near them – has revealed its ranked list of the top ten venues in the UK for live music.

The collection includes venues across England and Scotland, from Liverpool and Reading to Edinburgh.

Hand-picked from thousands of venues across the country using a combination of customer reviews, live music frequency, venue popularity, and editorial recommendations from the Eat Drink Meet team, these ten pubs are among the very best places to enjoy live music this spring.

Best for: foodies who LOVE live music

1. The Albany, Surrey

Located next to the calm waters of the River Thames in Ditton, The Albany in Surrey is a dog-friendly pub with a gorgeous beer garden, making it ideal for those looking for a pint or two before enjoying relaxed live music from up-and-coming local artists in a tranquil, cosy atmosphere.
A slower-paced counterpart to the bustling live music scenes of London, the Albany offers more of a home-from-home experience, with Tripadvisor reviews applauding the pub’s lunchtime music that has ‘everyone dancing’ during sunny summer weekends.
Plus, guests can indulge in the pub’s all-day, pub classics menu, featuring seasonal dishes with big, bold flavours, prepared daily by The Albany’s expert team of chefs.

2. The Blunsdon Arms, Swindon

If you’re seeking somewhere to enjoy delicious food and drink with an atmosphere, before being entertained by local live music acts this March, then The Blunsdon Arms is the pub for you.

With an energetic atmosphere and a menu to suit all tastes, this is the perfect pub spot to unwind with a meal before dancing the night away with friends.
The pub hosts its famous ‘Get Rocked’ festival every June. Featuring a cracking line-up of tribute bands and upcoming artists, the atmosphere at the ‘Blunny’ is spoken about for miles around with countless Tripadvisor reviews commending the venue for its musical offerings.
One review stated that the Blunsdon Arms’ “atmosphere is the best in north Swindon.”

Best for: discovering new local artists

3. The Ram’s Head, Stockport

The Ram’s Head is a dog-friendly country pub that’s ideal for everything from enjoying a Friday night dinner and drinks, to listening to live music from the best local artists every Friday and Saturday.

There’s no better place to unwind, catch up with friends and family, and make the most of your weekend. So, whether you’re settling in for a quiet pint with your four-legged companion or staying on for the live music, The Ram’s Head has something for everyone.

Rated 4 stars on Tripadvisor, the pub is praised by reviewers as a local gem, with guests highlighting the phenomenal live music, great food, and excellent customer service.

4. Harry Cook Free House, Cheltenham

The Harry Cook Free House is located on Cheltenham’s iconic Montpellier Walk.

Making this list for its famous live performances, the pub is a stone’s throw from Cheltenham Racecourse, Montpellier Gardens, and the Imperial Gardens. The Harry Cook Free House has been serving locals and tourists the best food and drink since the 1830s when Cheltenham was a booming spa town.

Today, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a pint or a two-for-£16 cocktail with a friend while testing your general knowledge in the locally loved pub quiz, or sipping a Guinness while listening to the best in local music acts that play every Friday and Saturday at the pub.

The Harry Cook Free House also takes part in the renowned Cheltenham Jazz Festival over May Bank Holiday weekend, with live performances all weekend from revered artists.

5. O’Neills Wardour Street

Located on London’s Wardour Street, O’Neills is an iconic spot well known for its decades-long history of live music.

From when the building was originally the famous Flamingo jazz club in the 1950s, through to becoming the iconic WAG club of the 1980s and 1990s, Soho’s O’Neills has played host to a number of musical icons including Dizzy Gillespie, Rod Stewart, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd.

Today, O’Neills Wardour Street still has live music in its blood, with performances every night from up-and-coming artists making it the ideal for those looking to discover a new hangout with brilliant live bands in the capital.

Tripadvisor reviews highlight the pub as an awesome spot for live music every day, especially at weekends. Reviewers also describe O’Neills Wardour Street as a great place to enjoy food and drinks before the live music begins.

Best for: late night celebrations

6. The Flannigan’s Apple, Liverpool

Based in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre – the epicentre of British musical history, The Flannigan’s Apple has been dedicated to live music for over 40 years.
Its downstairs music room hosts local singers and bands, performing singalong classics every Friday and Saturday from 6pm. The pub is also home to Mad Mondays with Irish karaoke and a disco for those patrons who enjoy a livelier atmosphere after work. Ideal for St Patrick’s day.

The pub is rated 4.4 stars on Tripadvisor, with reviews picking out its great atmosphere and service, and praising the pub for being the ideal place in Liverpool to enjoy a pint of Guinness and a meal before catching the best in local live music.

Best for: Sunday sessions

7. Devon Doorway, Wirral

Located in the picturesque town of Heswall in the Wirral, The Devon Doorway is an esteemed dog-friendly pub offering Instagram-worthy views of the surrounding landscape.

Sundays at this charming gastropub offer guests the perfect opportunity to enjoy a late Sunday lunch or early supper while listening to the best local acoustic singers, performing from 5–7pm.

Rated 4.3 stars on Tripadvisor for its delicious food, great atmosphere, and excellent customer service – there are countless reviews crediting ‘The Dev’s’ excellent live music performances.

This, combined with its picture-perfect countryside views, earns the pub a deserved place on the list.

Best for: a spontaneous night out

8. Doggett’s Coat and Badge, London

Located beside the historic route of the London Bridge to Chelsea rowing race, Doggett’s Coat and Badge takes its name from the race’s founder, Thomas Doggett.

Nestled in London’s vibrant South Bank, the pub offers guests iconic views across the River Thames of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Old Bailey, Shell Mex House, Somerset House and much of central London.

Doggett’s Coat and Badge treats guests to live music from 8pm until late every weekend. Last year, it was highlighted on TikTok as one of London’s best-kept secrets thanks to its stunning rooftop views of the capital. If you’re looking for classy live music, this is a venue to add to your list.

9. Browns, Exeter

If you’re seeking a more intimate and relaxed live music venue, then head to Browns in Exeter.

Whether you’re popping in for a drink or to enjoy a relaxed dinner for two, guests can enjoy unforgettable evenings of live jazz and other sounds every Saturday from 7pm to 9pm or every Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm.

Artists bring a selection of classic tunes and contemporary favourites to life every weekend. A grand piano also takes centre stage, with live performances filling the room with beautifully played melodies.

There’s no need to book – guests can simply walk in, take a seat, and let the music play.

10. Rose Street Brewery, Edinburgh

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, the charming Rose Street Brewery offers all the traditional charm of a Scottish pub with a wide range of real ales and delicious pub food.

Once famous for brewing “Auld Reekie Ale”, the pub today offers the very best in Scottish cask ales, the perfect accompaniment to its splendid live music. Located just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Castle, this is the perfect spot for both locals and tourists to unwind and enjoy the very best in local acoustic performances every single Thursday from 8pm until 10pm.

The Rose Street Brewery makes this list with many guests praising the venue for its delicious food, impeccable Scottish hospitality and, of course, its live music. One review stated: “Only went for drinks but the music was fab and I loved the atmosphere.”

Whether you’re planning a cosy dinner for two or a memorable Friday night out, these ten hand-picked pubs combine live music with great food and drink to create unforgettable moments.