11/04/25 – Preston

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Uncovering Preston’s Best Pubs: From Craft Beer to Victorian Charm

Preston, found in Lancashire, England, has a history that stretches back to Roman times and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It developed into a market town and became a significant textile centre during the Industrial Revolution. The city was instrumental in political reform and the Labour movement. Achieving city status in 2002, Preston now combines its industrial past with contemporary growth, acting as a lively centre for education, business, and culture in the North West.

Today, I’m checking out some of the standout pubs in Preston, kicking things off at The Black Horse. This historic Grade II spot has been around since 1898 and is famous for its stunning Victorian architecture and great ales. Next up is Guild Ale House, a beloved micropub that’s won awards for its craft beers. The Orchard is another gem, known for its friendly community vibe and live music. The Moorbrook brings a touch of Victorian charm, serving up craft beer and delicious wood-fired pizzas. If you’re looking for a cosy atmosphere, Vinyl Tap has a music theme that makes it a great hangout. PLAU is notable for its rich history and unique décor. Other places worth visiting include Chain House Brewing Co, Hopwoods Tap House, Wings & Beer Co, NIKO, and Winckley Street Ale House, each offering a diverse range of beers and lively atmospheres.

The Black Horse

My first visit in Preston was to The Black Horse. This is a Grade II listed pub that was established in 1898 by architect J. A. Seward for Kay’s Atlas Brewery in Manchester. This historic venue boasts a stunning Victorian architectural style and still showcases many of its original elements, such as a semi-circular ceramic bar counter—one of just 14 left in the UK—and beautiful mosaic flooring. The interior is recognised as nationally important by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and is featured in their National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.

Throughout its history, the Black Horse has functioned as both a pub and a small hotel, reflecting the social dynamics of its era. In 1929, major renovations transformed the original Market Room into a U-shaped seating area and added indoor restrooms. Owned by Robinsons Brewery since that same year, the Black Horse is well-known for its excellent ales and friendly vibe, having been named CAMRA Central Lancashire’s Pub of the Year multiple times in recent years. Ongoing preservation efforts help maintain this iconic spot as a beloved part of Preston’s history.

The layout features a cosy seating area with a side corridor that leads to extra seating and another bar that operates on weekends. The pub’s décor combines modern elements with traditional charm, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws in both locals and tourists. It also includes a ‘Hall of Mirrors’ area with original stained glass, adding to its visual charm.

A great variety of 7 cask beers alongside a range of ciders and keg beers. I went for a collaboration beer between Titanic Brewery and Ossett Brewery. “Pipeline” is a sessionable, light and refreshing session pale ale with some fantastic flavours coming through.

Guild Ale House

Next up is a short walk to Guild Ale House. This s an awesome Micropub that opened its doors in 2016 after being revamped by Gary Quinn. Once a charity shop, it has quickly become a favourite spot for beer lovers thanks to its wide range of craft ales and ciders. The pub has earned several awards, including the Central Lancashire Branch Pub of the Year in both 2018 and 2020, along with the Pub of the Season title in Spring 2024. It fits in well with the traditional Micropub concept as it does not have a jukebox, TV, or serve food but hosts live acoustic sessions on Sunday afternoons.

Located close to the Guild Hall complex, it boasts a friendly vibe with lofty ceilings and various seating arrangements, featuring two main rooms on the ground floor and a cosy upstairs area. The high ceilings add to the spacious feel, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable. THe bar looks awesome and stands out along one wall. A great fantastic welcome in here and was great chatting to a few locals in here including Mark.

On the bar a brilliant line up of 7 cask ales to choose from alongside a great choice of ciders and a number of keg options. A fridge next to the bar with a choice of cans and bottles. “Real Life Glories” from Tatton Brewery was my beer of choice. A delicious pale ale hopped with Cashmere with some great tropical flavours shining through.

The Orchard

Onto The Orchard next. This is nestled in the historic Preston Market Hall, which is a Grade II listed building, and it opened its doors in early March 2018. Founded by Gary Quinn and Jane Briscoe, it serves as a sister venue to the Guild Ale House. The bar boasts a cosy, rustic vibe with wooden walls crafted from recycled materials, making it a welcoming place to hang out. It’s popular for its lively community atmosphere, featuring live music on Saturday nights and offering board games for patrons to enjoy.

Inside The Orchard, you’ll find a vintage industrial décor with charming wooden details. This style not only enhances the ambiance but also makes it a perfect spot for catching up with friends or family. The venue is designed for comfort, allowing you to relax and soak in the lively market scene while enjoying your favourite drink. A fantastic outdoor seating area here as well.

A brilliant welcome here and was great chatting in here. On the bar a choice of 2 cask ales, 9 keg beers and a few ciders. I opted to go with “Quantum Leap” from Weekend Project. A super hazy and super tasty pale ale, single hopped with Superdelic. Very easy drinking and quaffable.

Plug & Taps

A short walk brings me to Plug & Taps. This bar opened its doors on June 21, 2018, brought to life by the same owners behind the Market Ale House in Leyland. Their goal was to create a lively craft beer spot right in the heart of Preston city centre. Once a beauty salon, the space has been transformed into a warm and inviting bar that blends classic pub charm with a modern twist. It quickly gained a reputation for its wide range of craft beers, real ales, gins, and other spirits.

The interior is sleek and welcoming, offering a cosy vibe. High padded stools line the wall-mounted shelves, making for a relaxed yet stylish drinking atmosphere. Adorned with contemporary art and photographs, the venue is designed for comfort and socialising. Plus, there’s an upstairs function room available for hosting events.

A fantastic line up of 10 keg beers and 4 cask beers to choose from, alongside a fridge full of cans and bottles. I spotted an American beer on the taps in here from Hudson Valley Brewery. “Peach Silhouette” is a fantastic sour IPA which has been hopped using Citra hops and includes lots of peach flavours.

The Moorbrook

A walk to the edge of Preston brings me to The Moorbrook. This pub boasts a fascinating history that stretches back to the 1800s. Initially a coaching inn, it catered to travelers journeying north from the city. Located on North Road, it gained a reputation for its friendly vibe and classic ales. As the city industrialised, the pub adapted and became a go-to spot for local laborers. In more recent times, The Moorbrook has transformed into a craft beer hotspot, offering a variety of rotating taps and a wood-fired pizza oven. Even with these modern updates, it still holds onto its Victorian charm and remains a beloved gathering place with deep roots in the community.

The interior showcases a delightful mix of classic and modern styles. The pub boasts a wooden bar and two snug rooms decorated with William Morris’s ‘Strawberry Thief’ wallpaper, giving it a welcoming vibe. Original Victorian details, like a tiled fireplace and built-in seating in the snug, enhance its historic charm. At the back, there’s a mostly enclosed beer garden that provides plenty of space to relax. Plus, a wood-fired pizza oven churns out a variety of tasty pizzas.

A fantastic variety of 9 keg beers and 4 cask beers to select from in here. A sour beer in here for me from Vault City. “Peach and Blueberry Clouds” is a delicious mix of jammy blueberries and ripe peaches giving some amazing fruity flavour.

The Vinyl Tap

A quick 10-minute stroll back to Preston centre takes me to The Vinyl Tap. This pub has an impressive history that spans more than 30 years. It started out as the Hearts of Oak, then changed to the Variety, and finally became Vinyl Tap in September 2018.

The place boasts a warm and eclectic vibe that perfectly captures its mix of music and pub culture. This intimate venue has a welcoming feel, with wooden walls, comfy seating, and a stage for live shows. The walls are decorated with music memorabilia, giving it a nostalgic touch for visitors. One of the highlights is the impressive vinyl record collection, letting you pick albums to play on the sound system, which adds a personal touch to your experience.

On the bar a choice of 3 cask ales alongside a cider and a number of keg options. Here I went with “Self Destruct” from Anarchy Brew Co. A delicious, refreshing and easy drinking pale ale.

PLAU

A short walk again brings me to PLAU. This pub has an interesting backstory that goes all the way back to 1668 when it was built as a butcher’s shop by the well-known Chorley family. By 1795, it had transformed into a pub called The Plough Inn. It became quite famous during the 18th-century gin craze and was also a key player in the temperance movement, especially when Thomas Swindlehurst made his pledge of total abstinence there in 1832. The pub shut down in 1913 and sat empty for over a hundred years until it was beautifully restored and reopened as Plau in 2018. This major renovation revealed some fascinating historical features, like a medieval well and parts of an 18th-century distillery.

Inside, you’ll find charming details such as exposed brick walls and repurposed architectural elements. The space has multiple levels, including an open bar area that flows into a cosy dining section and an underground vault bar. The décor features dark wood and soft colours, creating a welcoming vibe that feels like a contemporary gin palace. A standout element is the glass-covered ancient well, which adds a unique touch to the venue’s charm.

An awesome selection of 2 cask ales and 9 keg beers on the upstairs bar, with a further 6 keg beers in the downstairs vault bar. “Miniature Cymbals” from Verdant Brewing Co was my choice of beer. Hopped with Simcoe, Chinook and Columbus, this is a super sessionable pale ale, full of flavour and very enjoyable.

Chain House Brewing Co

Around the corner to Chain House Brewing Co.. This brewery kicked off in 2017, thanks to Ryan Hayes, who started brewing in his garage in Longton, Lancashire. After their small-batch beers gained a loyal following, the brewery made the move to Preston in late November 2022, where they opened a taproom on Market Street West. They’re well-known for their innovative and vegan-friendly brews, and the taproom boasts several keg lines and cask ales. In 2023, they were honoured as the Best New Cask Outlet by Central Lancs CAMRA, showcasing their rising status in the local beer community.

The taproom has a cosy, rustic vibe, with brewing tanks on display that add to the ambiance. It’s designed for comfort and socialising, making it a perfect hangout for friends to enjoy a few beers together. The layout is flexible, catering to both intimate get-togethers and larger gatherings.

A fantastic warm welcome here and to a great beer board featuring 15 keg lines and a further 2 cask beer lines. I went with a sour beer in here which had been brewed in collaboration with Hackney Church Brew Co. A fantastic mix of Blackcurrant, Blackberry and Raspberry to create this fruity and sour beer.

Hopwoods Tap House

Next up is Hopwoods Tap House a trendy craft beer bar that opened its doors in early 2022. This spot is located on the historic grounds of the old WH & J Woods tobacco company, a well-known Victorian-era business that once provided jobs for over 200 locals. The bar’s design beautifully reflects this history, merging modern style with elements that pay tribute to its past.

Inside, you’ll find contemporary furnishings that are tastefully accented with hints of the building’s Victorian roots, creating a cosy yet stylish vibe. One of the most talked-about features (which I haven’t checked out myself) is the ladies’ restroom, which has gone viral. When you hit a red button, it kicks off a mini disco, complete with a spinning mirror ball, dimmed lights, and classic hits like ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary,” giving guests a fun and memorable experience.

On the bar a choice of 3 cask ales and 13 keg beers to choose from. A delicious tasty session IPA from Farm Yard Brew Co was my beer choice in here. “Chaff” is very quaffable and very smooth.

Wings & Beer Co

Another short walk brings me to Wings & Beer Co.. This spot opened its doors in September 2017, transforming the former Ocean Bar & Grill into a vibrant sports bar. Founded by Simon Meighan, the venue was envisioned as a high-end establishment offering American-style “game day” food, such as chicken wings, nachos, and sliders.

Inside offers a vibrant, American-style sports bar atmosphere. The interior features wood-paneled and bare-brick walls, creating a rustic yet contemporary feel. With 22 HD screens strategically placed throughout the venue, including within diner-style booths, patrons can enjoy various sports events from any seat.

On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, 4 ciders and a range of keg beers. “White Witch” from Moorhouse’s Brewery was my beer choice in here. A tasty, fresh and easy drinking blonde ale.

NIKO

Next up is NIKO. This opened its doors on July 9, 2021, thanks to founders Nikola Salipur and Gareth Morris, who envisioned a one-of-a-kind spot that merges the finest craft beers with exquisite wines. Salipur, hailing from Belgrade, Serbia, brings a wealth of experience in the wine sector and is recognised as the top importer of Serbian wine in the UK.

What sets NIKO apart is its commitment to exceptional service and in-depth product knowledge, fostering a laid-back drinking culture that encourages customers to incorporate wine into their daily lives. The venue has also made waves with its TikTok series ‘Fine Dining for F* All,’ which seeks to inform customers about budget-friendly fine dining options paired with the perfect wines.

The interior of NIKO is both modern and welcoming, combining rustic elements with contemporary flair. It features warm lighting, wooden details, and chic furnishings that create a snug and inviting vibe.

A great line up of 9 keg beers to choose from, with further bottles and cans available in fridges. A sour beer in here from Yonder Brewing. “Lemon Drizzle” is a super tart and zesty beer with some scrumptious lemon flavour.

Winckley Street Ale House

Last up is Winckley Street Ale House. This opened its doors in February 2024 when Paul Yates took over what was once known as Otter’s Pocket. This pub specialises in craft and cask beers, creating a friendly vibe and offering a varied menu. In its first year, it quickly became a local hotspot, teaming up with nearby businesses and hosting events like ‘Pub Fest.’ The ale house is dedicated to supporting local breweries and promoting a lively beer culture in Preston. Its dog-friendly atmosphere and focus on quality food make it a standout in the city’s bustling pub scene.

Inside, the Winckley Street Ale House is warm and welcoming, designed to encourage relaxation and social interaction. The décor blends classic pub charm with contemporary elements, resulting in a cosy setting. There are plenty of seating options, including tables indoors and outside for those sunny days.

On the bar a fab choice of 10 keg lines and 4 cask lines plus even more choice in the fridges. Another sour beer in here this time from Omnipollo. “Pleroma Prickly Pear Guava Creme Brulee”, a fantastic sour beer with some unusual flavours mixed together to make a sour and tart treat.