Top 10 Pubs for Live Music in the UK – Pints & Tunes Galore

The UK’s pub culture and live music scene go hand in hand, with countless pubs hosting live gigs from folk sessions to rock shows. Our list highlights ten of the best spots where great beer meets great tunes – from cosy village locals to legendary urban music pubs. These venues span every corner of Britain, each offering a unique mix of atmosphere, history and tunes. Whether it’s a rambunctious ceilidh in a Highland inn or a rock band in a Victorian city pub, you’ll find something to suit every music-loving pub-goer on this list.

1. The Frog & Parrot – Sheffield, England

Nestled on Division Street in central Sheffield, the Frog & Parrot is a music-lover’s dream. This venerable pub has at least 300 years of history – an early 18th-century directory already lists a licenced alehouse on the site – and today it wears its heritage on its sleeve. Its walls are decorated with music memorabilia, celebrating Sheffield’s rich musical legacy. In fact, teenage Arctic Monkeys were famously regulars here, and Joe Cocker even signed his first record deal from the pub’s secret upstairs bar. As The Star notes, it’s “one of Sheffield’s most famous pubs” steeped in musical lore.

Inside, the Frog & Parrot feels like the quintessential traditional British pub: snug wooden benches, vintage décor, and live music posters. On a gig night the atmosphere buzzes with locals and visitors crammed together, enjoying the live performance from just a few feet away. The beer list leans on British standards – you’ll often find Greene King ales like IPA and Abbot Ale on tap – alongside a rotating guest beer or two. Food-wise it serves up hearty pub classics (think fish & chips and burgers made from quality ingredients, as noted on traveller sites). In short, the Frog & Parrot is a Sheffield institution where the beers are well-kept and the music legacy is everywhere – a true community pub and grassroots venue rolled into one.

2. The Hope & Anchor – Islington, London

A stone’s throw from Angel Tube, the Hope & Anchor is a Grade-II-listed Victorian pub dating from 1850. This iconic pub has been a fixture of London’s live music scene for decades. Back in the 1970s and ’80s it was a proving ground for emerging rock acts: bands like U2, The Police and The Stranglers “cut their teeth” here on its small stage. Even today the Hope & Anchor “still have live music nights regularly”, often in the intimate back room or on its upstairs fringe-theatre stage. Walking in, you immediately feel the history – framed posters of past headliners cover the walls, and there’s a jukebox stocked with classic rock tunes when the bands aren’t on.

Despite its legendary status, the Hope & Anchor remains a friendly local pub. There’s a relaxed bar area serving cask ales and pub food – steaks, fish and chips, veggie dishes – to keep you going through the night. The landlord often chats up new visitors about upcoming shows or recommends an ale. I found it as cozy as any Islington local, yet there’s an electric vibe once a gig gets going. On any given evening you might grab a corner table, enjoy a well-pulled pint, and listen to a talented local band treating the room like a personal stage. In sum, the Hope & Anchor expertly blends olde-world pub charm (snug snugs, dark wood beams) with a thrilling live-music pedigree – exactly the kind of venue where great beer and great music collide.

3. Hare & Hounds – Birmingham, England

In trendy Kings Heath on the south side of Birmingham, the Hare & Hounds is a handsome red-brick pub famous for live gigs and craft beer. A brass plaque on the wall proudly notes that UB40 played their first-ever gig here in 1979. The building itself has a 19th-century feel: a traditional, wood-panelled front bar, and a brighter modern bar at the back. Both bars pour a solid range of ales and lagers – frequent visitors report that this Greene King pub often features local Purity IPAs alongside classic bitters.

The real draw, however, is the upstairs function room which doubles as a live music venue. Many nights of the week a full band will be on stage, and the buzz is tangible. Even on a random weeknight, the Hare & Hounds is packed with an eclectic mix of people – students, families, and long-time locals – all drawn by the friendly atmosphere and the promise of good tunes. In my visits I’ve seen folk-rock bands, indie covers, and even Bootleg Beatles tribute gigs; the crowd chatters and cheers as if it’s the main event at an arena, yet it’s just a local pub. Little things stand out: the courteous bar staff clearing glasses swiftly between sets, and punters lingering at the bar long after the band finishes. The Hare & Hounds nails the formula for a great live music pub: strong drinks at reasonable prices, a no-fuss stage setup, and a genuinely warm crowd. (Gig tickets are famously cheap here – often just £7 or so – so it’s also an excellent value.)

4. The Clachaig Inn – Glencoe, Scotland

Set amidst the dramatic peaks of the Scottish Highlands, the Clachaig Inn in Glen Coe offers epic scenery and spirited pub nights. This remote inn has become legendary with walkers and climbers – and with good reason. As one fan notes, the Clachaig “is my favourite pub in Scotland” when it comes to live music. On any given night the small upstairs stage fills with traditional Scottish folk music or the occasional Celtic rock band. The intimate crowd (often bleary-eyed hikers in beanies) will cheerfully join in on well-known tunes, making it feel like a massive sing-along session.

The Clachaig’s selection of drinks is equally impressive: they boast a large range of local ales and an astounding 400 whiskies on the shelf. You can nurse a dram of single malt by the fireplace after a gig, or choose from cask beers alongside hardy pub fare (think haggis, shepherd’s pie, fresh seafood). The pub interior is old-world cosy – low beams, tartan-carpeted floors, and photos of mountaineering. There’s also a snug beer garden outside with mountain views for summer evenings. All this, plus the friendly innkeeper, makes the Clachaig a proper Highland homecoming: a place where the music is heartfelt, the crowd is welcoming, and the sense of place is unbeatable.

5. Duke of Cumberland – Whitstable, England

Down on the Kent coast, “Dukes” – the Duke of Cumberland pub in Whitstable – has carved out a niche as a quality live music venue. This Grade-II-listed seaside pub proudly embraces original bands and DJs, and it shows in the decor: local artist Chris How has covered the walls in vibrant, music-themed murals. The line-up here runs the gamut from retro hip-hop (the Sugarhill Gang once played a surprise set) to reggae legends like Lee Scratch Perry. Even Roy Ayers and reggae band Sticky Fingers have turned the stage here.

What’s especially striking about Dukes is its relaxed seaside vibe: there’s a heated outdoor patio and a good fish-and-chips menu alongside classic pub grub. Sunday afternoon open mic sessions are a regular treat (always free to enter), and the quality rarely dips. Patrons often include famous faces – one visitor bumped into Nick Mason of Pink Floyd here. In short, the Duke of Cumberland is no frills but high on soul. It’s the kind of pub where the live music never feels like a cover charge – just a happy bonus to enjoy with a pint while watching the boats bob on the harbour.

6. The Blue Peter Inn – Polperro, England

On a winding lane above Polperro harbour in Cornwall stands the Blue Peter Inn, a 16th-century pub beloved by locals and tourists. Its stone walls and timbered ceiling give it an authentically rustic charm, but what really makes the Blue Peter special is its nightly music. Local singers and musicians burst into Cornish sea shanties and folk songs, often spontaneously. As one visitor reports, the atmosphere “energises” the inn – guests end up clapping along and joining in (sometimes quite literally, as the singers press everyone to grab a chorus).

On any given summer night you might find the tiny bar packed with sailors and families, spilling out of the open windows with music floating onto the quay below. The Blue Peter’s gig calendar is a mix of planned events and impromptu jam sessions. If there’s one thing I noticed it’s that even first-time visitors end up belting out a shanty or two by evening’s end – the pub’s infectious “feelgood vibe” is hard to resist. With classic pub ales on tap and fresh lobster or pasty specials on the menu, this is a pub that brings sea-to-table drinking and dining together with grassroots music.

7. Charters – Peterborough, England

The quirky Charters is not your typical pub – it’s a pub on a boat. Literally moored on a Dutch barge by the River Nene, this floating venue has live music every week of the year. In summer the bandstand moves outside on deck, while in chilly months they pack the cosy below-deck cabin with local bands and cover groups. You’ll see hipsters, young families and river walkers alike, all enjoying the free gigs. Regulars talk about bands like Austin Gold (original indie rock) or reggae and pop tribute acts belting out tunes against the water.

Food at Charters is surprisingly excellent – authentic Thai and Indonesian dishes – which makes it a destination for food and music alike. The wooden interior is warm and bar-style, and the owners have installed plenty of lighting so evening gigs have a party feel. I found the ambience to be effortlessly festive: people dance in bare feet on the deck while sipping cocktails, and laugh together under strings of lights. It’s a rare pub that doubles as a boat party, but Charters pulls it off year-round. Between the novel location, the laid-back international menu, and the non-stop live bands, Charters is truly one of Britain’s most enjoyable barge pubs for music fans.

8. The Junction – London, England

Tucked away between Brixton and Camberwell, The Junction is a hidden gem of a music pub. It bills itself as a jazz and wine bar, but its schedule is incredibly varied. On any weeknight you might catch Latin ska, acoustic folk, hardcore blues or open-jam sessions. As a reviewer notes, The Junction “offers a wonderful array of live jazz, acoustic, Latin and blues music every night of the week”. What makes it special is how communal it feels: during jazz jams the local musicians often play among the crowd, giving it a spontaneous, living-room vibe.

The pub itself is tastefully laid out: exposed brick walls, quirky artwork, and dim lighting that keeps things intimate. They serve a selection of tapas plates (empanadas, flatbreads) and a full bar of beers, wines and cocktails. On a Friday, the owners even bring out their own small jazz ensemble for a set. There’s no cover charge – you just buy a drink and enjoy the show. As a bonus, The Junction welcomes dogs and has board games on each table, which only adds to the friendly atmosphere. It’s exactly the sort of neighbourhood spot where live music feels as natural as conversation at the bar.

9. Chums – Bristol, England

Chums is the sort of tiny, bricked-up pub you might walk past without noticing – but once inside, you’ll never want to leave. This Bristol boozer (on Regent Street) is famous for its regular folk and Americana nights. On any evening the place might be filled with fiddle tunes, bluegrass guitar, or a raucous folk-blues band. One local band, Ponchartrain, even tours nationally with a seven-piece “Americana meets bluegrass” sound after honing their craft on Chums’s little stage.

The pub’s interior is dim and cozy – low ceilings, a bar with handpumped ales, and windows that steam up with activity. It’s such a snug space that a full crowd feels buzzing rather than crowded. I was struck by how friendly the regulars are: strangers share tables, tapping feet or quietly singing along to numbers they know well. Chums doesn’t try to be fancy – it’s painted in cheerful colours and serves simple pub grub – but what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in character and warmth. In fact, one visitor simply sums it up: “Chums, don’t ever change”.

10. Beehive Inn – Edinburgh, Scotland

Perched at the foot of Edinburgh Castle in the historic Grassmarket, the Beehive Inn has music woven into its very fabric. As a Belhaven Brewery feature puts it: “Some pubs feel like they’ve got music in their bones, and the Beehive Inn is one of them.” This veteran pub (over 200 years old) hosts live performances most nights – everything from ceilidh dances to solo acoustic sessions. Step inside and you might see a ceilidh band teaching Scottish reels on a Thursday, or a quiet singer-songwriter strumming by candlelight – the crowd is always attentive and welcoming.

The interior is traditional and warm: wooden floors, old lantern-style lights, and photographs of Edinburgh in days past. The bar serves a good range of beers (with Belhaven ales featured) and hearty Scottish pub fare. I was particularly impressed by how personal each performance feels – Greene King notes that “every performance [at the Beehive] feels personal”, and it’s true. Even with tourists wandering in, there’s a real sense of community among locals. In short, the Beehive Inn manages to be both a classic historic pub and a thriving live music venue, making it a must-visit spot for anyone in Edinburgh.