As we stumble once again in to the Christmas period here's an end of year review featuring what I consider to be the best pubs I have visited during the past 12 months....
Every year it seems to start earlier. It gets to the end of September, and suddenly the Christmas ephemera starts appearing in the high street and supermarkets, followed not much later by the endless loops of Mariah Carey, Mistletoe and Wine, and Frosty the Snowman ringing in the fresh meat aisle. Meanwhile our pubs and bars are doing their bit. The decs are up, the Christmas music is playing, and the festive jumpers, Santa hats, and false antlers are starting to appear. So far I have seen very few Christmas beers on my travels, with which I have no complaints, but I have no doubt some will appear pretty soon, some probably lingering on the bar to the end of January, long after the end of Christmas, and long after the once a year drinkers have gone back to barracks.
And at this time of year, as the year comes to a close at an ever-quickening pace there is a place for reflection amidst the tinsel and glitter. Those no longer here, to whom we raise a glass, those missed opportunities, the growing realisation that each year more of the things you used to do that are most unlikely to be repeated. But aside from all that, it is also a time to look back over the previous 12 months and celebrate the highlights of the year.
I have tried a lot of different beers and visited a lot of new pubs this year, many in areas I have not visited before or not for a long time. Trips with FC Halifax Town to several new grounds have helped along the way, with my first ever visit to Cornwall in October a highlight, although beer-wise it wasn't the best place we visited all year. I have visited London more often this year than I have since my days working as a buyer, and for only the second time a pub from the capital has made it into the list of my top pubs, which as usual excludes those in my local area of Calderdale where I enjoy many a pint when off duty. And there are of course many other excellent pubs that I have not managed to get to this year.
And so here are in no particular order, are what I consider the best pubs I have visited during 2025. Some are almost always in the list, whilst there are a few that have not been in the list before, with one of them where I was on my first visit.
Free Trade Inn, Ouseburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne
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A regular in the list and previous Pub of the Year, and what more is there to say about this classic pub with its excellent beer, great staff, friendly and unassuming atmosphere, and one of the best views from a city pub in the country. When I last visited one evening in the middle of this year's warm summer, I sat inside with all the outside seating taken and eyed up a seat by the window with a grandstand view over the River Tyne with its bridges and buildings on each bank. "I ordered a pint of the Echelon, a 4% hazy pale which was in great form as usual (NBSS 4) and got one of those prized stools, where I whiled away the evening basking in the atmosphere of one of the country's finest pubs, listening to the hum of happy conversation and tunes from the classic free jukebox, moving from my spot only to replace my beer... a rather nice 4.7% pale beer called Smog from Donzoko brewery from the keg selection. It was a blissful way to spend the evening." Just like every time I find myself here, in fact. Meanwhile, a mile or so away just off the Quayside is the second pub in the city that made it into the list: Crown Posada, Newcastle Upon Tyne  Another previous Pub of the Year winner and a place I have visited and written about many times, The last time I'd visited this stunningly attractive pub was an incredibly wet evening in September with a few of the football lads when I met up with some of the family. Meanwhile I'd visited only a few weeks earlier when I had the usual sense of anticipation whenever I go, as if visiting some hallowed ground. As usual, the Crown Posada delivered with great local beer from the likes of Two By Two, and with the vantage point of a seat by the door I could keep an eye on proceedings and see the delight on everyone's faces as they enjoyed their time in this classic pub with its amazing atmosphere, great beer from of the best breweries in the country, friendly and welcoming staff, and the unpredictability of which vinyl will be next on the turntable.... Olde Ship Inn, Seahouses, Northumberland
This is a lovely old hotel situated in a fishing village on the Northumberland coast close to the Farne Islands. I have been here many times but when I visited here in July it was my first visit for several years, and it has never been placed in this list before. Whilst it is a hotel with restaurant those in search of a drink are equally well looked after. There is a large bar at the front of the building which is like a museum to all things maritime whilst on the bar are several hand pumps dispensing quality cask ales, many from local Northumbrian brewers. Whilst cask has always been a part of the offer, these days it seems to have climbed up a few notches. There is additional seating at the back of the pub, whilst outside there is a terrace with views looking out over the nearby Farne Islands, from where the still active lighthouses of Inner Farne and Longstone provide a soothing and visual backdrop as you enjoy your drink. The place can get busy but on this last visit I was calling in when the bus times back to my hotel in Bamburgh worked out favourably. If you are ever in the vicinity make sure you call in. Black Bull, Coniston, Cumbria  This is another pub that I have visited countless times over. Situated in the heart of this Lakeland village with the Old Man of Coniston as the backdrop. As I remarked after my latest visit this autumn "I have been coming here regularly over the past 30 years or so and whilst the place fulfils much of what the visitor wants - pretty decent food, good beer, and comfortable surroundings - it has on occasion felt as if it has been going through the motions, serving a captive market with a limited number of alternative options in the immediate vicinity. This time though it was spot on. Whether it was because it was quieter with plenty of empty tables throughout the rambling building, the staff all seemed more relaxed than sometimes, laughing and joking with each other whilst dealing with customers quickly and efficiently when they came to the bar to order their drinks or food...I ordered a pint of Bluebird Bitter, the 3.4% session pale, and retreated to a small table opposite the door to kitchen to drink it whilst I deliberated over whether to have lamb hotpot or venison cottage pie...The beer was in excellent form, the best I have had here in years...(NBSS 4). I can't really add anything else other than the fact that based on this visit, the Black Bull more than justifies a spot in my best pubs of 2025. City Arms, Manchester
Port Street Beer House, Manchester  A second Mancunian pub in the top ten and a place that continues to impress on every visit. It is situated across the city from the City Arms on the Northern Quarter/Ancoats border. Since pulling its first pints in 2011 it has become one of the city's best and most consistent pubs, and since its early days where it tended to be a little too hipster and prone to beer snobbery, it has become a pretty chilled and welcoming place. There are 7 hand pumps on the bar which often feature beers you wouldn't probably see anywhere else in the city, always served in excellent condition. There are always a number of keg beers available. The pub itself has a small footprint, but has additional seating on a couple of levels upstairs. Additional seating is available at the front of the pub, whilst at the back is a small beer garden. An absolute must-visit when you are in this part of the city. Fighting Cock, Bradford  I returned to this small back-street pub, which is situated in a somewhat rundown industrial area, a few weeks ago for the first time in about 3 years. This is a pub I visited many times when I worked nearby in the 1980's, when it was one of the first true free houses in the area and thus able to source many beers you would not see anywhere else. It became a place of pilgrimage for real ale lovers from far and wide, its fame stretching far beyond West Yorkshire. Visually and structurally it hasn't real changed that much apart from an extension incorporating a lounge at the far end of the bar and the previously outside toilets. The bar is pretty much unchanged, whilst the furnishings remain plain and basic. They used to do a fantastic bowl of chilli at lunchtimes, and I found that they still do. With a decent pint in hand, I could have been here at any point in the past 40 years. And whilst it may be something of a nostalgic pick, the Fighting Cock deserves to be included in this year's list. Southampton Arms, Kentish Town, London  I only visited this pub for the first time a few weeks ago, but on a visit to the capital that featured some other good pubs, this was the one that stood out. Situated on the Kentish Town/Gospel Oak borders I had heard many good reports about the place, "a small unassuming-looking place from the outside with a sign on the side wall advertising ale, cider, and meat, whilst a sign above describes it is an Ale & Cider House." And that is exactly what it does: a sign below the clock on the tiled bar back states that they are the only dedicated ale and cider house in London to sell their beers and ciders from small independent UK producers. It was busy, with seating at a premium, resulting in perching on a bar stool wedged in beside a piano and an undecorated Christmas tree whilst we enjoyed a pint of Session Pale from Kent Brewery. The Southampton Arms has character and charisma in bucketloads, with functional white tiled walls belying a friendly welcoming atmosphere. A great pub, and one I look forward to returning to again soon. Roscoe Head, Liverpool
Sportsman, Huddersfield
And so... (drum roll) ...to my Pub of the Year.... After much deliberation, it can only be the Free Trade Inn which never fails to delight. Next time, I'll look at the best beers of the year.... Follow me on X: @realalemusic Join me on bluesky: @chrisd55.bsky.social |
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