Whether you’re after a boozy day out, a quiet pint in one of Cornwall’s best dog-friendly pubs, or a cosy tipple by an open fire, don’t miss out on the best bars and pubs in Penzance.
The Copper Fox
Best for: Wine and sushi
19A Bread Street, Penzance, TR18 2EQ
Recently reopened with new owners, The Copper Fox is the perfect place to linger with a good glass of wine. They’re loved for their rotating wine list served by the glass and their bottle shop where you’ll find popular classics amidst lesser known gems. They also make a mean cocktail with a focus on Japanese spirits and local ingredients – all of which can be enjoyed from their cosy hangout on Bread Street. Sit back and relax with ambient lighting and vinyl playing in the background, plus a choice of sushi plates to complement your chosen glass.
Turks Head
Best for: Oldest pub in town
49 Chapel Street, Penzance, TR18 4AF
Discover Penzance’s oldest pub, The Turks Head, located in the centre of town, where it has been serving refreshing ales as far back as the 1200s. We love the cosy feel and original features, which help you to imagine smugglers and pirates of the past while sipping your drink. There’s a lovely outdoor beer garden, even complete with a smugglers’ tunnel which leads to Penzance harbour. Rumour has it that the pub takes its name from the Barbary pirates who wreaked havoc on Penzance throughout the 1600s.
Mên-an-Tol Brewhouse & Taproom
Best for: Independent brewery
13 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2HN
Named after a Bronze Age stone circle (one of the most intriguing ancient sites in Cornwall), Mên-an-Tol Brewhouse & Taproom draws inspiration from Cornwall’s landscapes and folklore to create cask and bottled ales. Each of their brews is given a Cornish name, including "Awel-an-Konsow" (American Pale Ale) and "Pennaghel Pall" (Pale Ale), which can be bought online or at their taphouse. Visit them in Penzance town centre to sample delicious beer and summer cocktails inspired by ingredients from Cornish hedgerows. They also serve up small plates to keep you going if you decide to stay a little longer.
Admiral Benbow
Best for: Historic maritime pub
46 Chapel Street, Penzance, TR18 4AF
The Admiral Benbow is one of the most unique alehouses you’ll ever visit, thanks to its eccentric decor which is designed like a ship. The whole building is bedecked in maritime artefacts salvaged from wrecks and embellished in seafaring trinkets. Once an illegal drinking den, today the Benbow is a family-friendly pub with bars on both floors and a restaurant upstairs with far reaching views over Penzance harbour. Enjoy views over the sea, good food and drinks, and an unforgettable experience, surrounded by ship figureheads, cannons and lots of other peculiarities.
The Globe & Ale House
Best for: Watching sport
1 Queen Street, Penzance, TR18 4BJ
No guide to the best pubs is complete without you knowing where you can watch the sport and for this accolade it’s got to be The Globe & Ale House. A free house in the centre of town, they serve premium ales from Cornwall and beyond and show all of the big sporting events. Choose from three screens and one big TV for fixtures on BT Sports and TNT sports, plus there’s a weekly darts league you can join in on. Children are welcome and though they don’t serve food, you’re able to bring your own. It’s also worth keeping an eye on their Facebook page for live music events and quiz nights.
45 Queen Street
Best for: Neighbourhood feel
45 Queen Street, Penzance, TR18 4BQ
A neighbourhood bar and kitchen, 45 Queen Street is where we’d head for a special catch up with friends. A converted warehouse, it has more of a London feel than your typical Cornish hangout. Expect high ceilings, stone walls and ambient music in the background, while you sip on cocktails or sample exotic wines from their extensive drinks menu. On sunny days, head into the courtyard where you’ll be surrounded by subtropical plants. If you’re hungry, they serve up excellent food with a focus on quality ingredients, seafood, and small plates.
The Dolphin Tavern
Best for: Traditional pub
Quay Street, Penzance, TR18 4BD
For a traditional pub, our top pick is The Dolphin Tavern, which is shrouded in Cornish history. Local folklore says it's where Cornishmen were once recruited to fight in the Armada and where Sir Walter Raleigh smoked his first pipe of tobacco in Britain. Later, it became a court house where smugglers were tried and sentenced for seeking better fortunes through the trade of illegal contraband. Today, it still has a traditional feel which connects visitors to the past through its granite walls, old nautical ornaments and wooden bar. It’s also our favourite place to grab a drink before catching the ferry to the Isles of Scilly.
Lugger Inn
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Best for: Oceanfront views
Marine Terrace, Penzance, TR18 4DL
A favourite spot for both locals and visitors, The Lugger Inn is enjoyed for its sweeping views over St Michael’s Mount and Mounts Bay. In the summer, the seating area out front is a popular spot for soaking up the scenery and watching the comings and goings of the promenade and town shopping area. We recommend stopping off here if you’re walking the South West Coast Path as it sits directly on the route from Penzance to Newlyn. For those looking to refresh after a dip, the geothermal Jubilee Pool is just a few minutes’ walk away.
The Star Inn
Best for: Welcoming atmosphere
119 Market Jew Street, Penzance, TR18 2LD
Voted Penzance’s best pub on multiple occasions, The Star Inn has a true community feel and they go to great lengths to host events throughout the week to make everyone feel welcome. Don your dancing shoes for Cornish folk nights, prepare to be wowed at live drag shows, or sing your favourite songs at karaoke (there are also weekly Dungeons & Dragons meetups and space for all kinds of other group meetings). If you’re just passing by, make use of the pool tables, games consoles and dartboards, or borrow one of their boardgames. There’s even a bookswap, as well as an area to hangout and watch DVDs. All can be enjoyed in a traditional pub setting, with a great choice of local cask ales, rotating draughts, and locally sourced spirits.
The Pirate Inn
Best for: Family friendly
Alverton Road, Penzance, TR18 4PS
If you’re looking for a pub where you can take the kids, most people’s top pick in Penzance is The Pirate Inn thanks to its large beer garden and outdoor play area complete with a slide and climbing frame. It’s the ideal spot for relaxing in the sun for an hour, while being able to keep an eye on young ones running around. Originally a 17th century farm house, the building has a beautiful stone exterior with a cosy, traditional feel inside – and the gardens are beautifully kept with potted flowers, manicured grass and plenty of plants to enjoy.
The Lamp & Whistle
Best for: Quirky decor
12 Leskinnick Place, Penzance, TR18 2EZ
Saving one of the best until last, our final choice is The Lamp & Whistle. Perched on a quiet backstreet corner near the train station, its central location makes it a convenient stop off point. However, step inside and you’ll see it has far more to offer. Every inch of the interior is decorated with carved wood panelling, mirrors, and a combination of vintage and retro decorations. Even the ceiling is covered in unusual art pieces, depicting everything from scenes out of children’s storytales to renaissance-style paintings and Cornish landscapes. There’s a great booze selection too, with microbrewery beers on pump and bottles from around the globe alongside craft ales. Plus, a huge range of spirits including lots of rums and gins to try. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a regular, expect a warm welcome and a local feel – which makes the Lamp & Whistle a place we return to time and time again.
Ready to kick back and relax? Browse our holiday cottages in Penzance for cosy accommodation just a stone’s throw from beautiful ocean views and the town’s best bars and pubs.
Tags: Eating out | Penzance | Drink |