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Climbing Hills, Chasing Pints: A Brilliant Day in Lincoln’s Pubs
I spent the day exploring Lincoln’s pubs, starting on the High Street at The Treaty of Commerce before wandering uphill toward the castle and cathedral. Along the way I stopped at a great mix of traditional pubs and small micropubs, each with its own character, from cosy historic spots like The Strugglers Inn and The Cardinal’s Hat to newer places like The Organ Grinder and The Tiny Tavern. I worked my way through a variety of cask ales and pale ales from breweries such as Batemans, Verdant and Blue Monkey, enjoying everything from classic bitters to bright, hoppy pales. It was a relaxed day discovering the city one pint at a time.
Lincoln has a long and fascinating history that stretches back nearly 2,000 years. The city began as a Roman settlement called Lindum Colonia, built on a hill overlooking the River Witham. After the Romans left, the area continued to grow through Saxon and Viking times before becoming an important medieval city. Lincoln Cathedral, once the tallest building in the world, and Lincoln Castle still dominate the skyline today. In medieval times the city was famous for its wool trade, which brought wealth and influence. Over the centuries Lincoln developed into a busy market and railway town, and today it blends historic streets with a lively modern city.
The Treaty of Commerce
My first visit in Lincoln yesterday was to The Treaty of Commerce owned by Batemans Brewery. The Treaty of Commerce pub on Lincoln’s High Street takes its name from the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty of 1860, the Anglo-French agreement that reduced tariffs and encouraged international trade. The building originally opened in 1862 as a tea trader before later becoming a public house. Located close to Lincoln Central railway station, it served the busy commercial area around the station that developed with the expansion of rail travel in the nineteenth century. The pub’s distinctive name reflects the era’s enthusiasm for free trade and the strong commercial character of Lincoln’s High Street.
Inside is a tall, narrow pub arranged around a long wooden bar that runs along one side of the main room. Exposed beams and warm lighting give the space a traditional feel, while blue panelled walls and framed prints add character. Towards the back, an arched opening leads to a quieter seating area with a curved ceiling, patterned wallpaper and small tables. At the front, large arched windows look out onto the High Street beside a corner banquette and stools. Seating ranges from bar stools and small round tables to padded benches and armchairs around a brick fireplace. Behind the pub is a surprisingly large beer garden with covered wooden shelters, picnic tables and an open gravelled area, offering plenty of space to sit away from the busy street.
On the bar a selection of 5 cask ales to choose from along with a wide range of keg options. I went for Hooker by Batemans Brewery, a classic bitter with gentle malt flavour and a smooth finish.
The Victoria
Next was an uphill walk to The Victoria owned by Batemans Brewery. The Victoria on Union Street in Lincoln has a history going back to 1843, when it first opened as the Victoria Inn close to the west gate of Lincoln Castle. Its name reflected the popularity of Queen Victoria during the early Victorian period. Over the years the pub changed names for a time, becoming The Cross Keys, before later returning to its original name, The Victoria. Because of its position on the road between the castle and cathedral, it has long been a stopping place for locals and visitors walking up the hill. More than 180 years later, it remains one of the city’s best-known traditional pubs.
Inside is arranged across a series of connected rooms, each with its own cosy corner. Wooden tables, sturdy chairs and high stools sit alongside long padded benches in warm brown leather. Some areas have tiled floors while others use wood, which helps break the pub into smaller, relaxed spaces. Framed pictures and bits of décor on the walls add character, while exposed brick and shelves of board games appear in some of the quieter spots. Soft lighting and warm colours give the whole place a comfortable, easy-going feel that suits a quiet drink with friends.
A fantastic line up of 6 cask ales to choose from on the bar along with a variety of keg options. I went for XB by Batemans Brewery, a classic amber bitter that’s smooth, malty and easy to drink.
The Strugglers Inn
Literally around the corner lies The Strugglers Inn. The Strugglers Inn on Westgate, beside Lincoln Castle, dates back to 1841. Its unusual name is linked to the days when public hangings took place at the castle’s Cobb Hall. Before executions, crowds gathered nearby, and local stories say prisoners were sometimes brought to the pub for a final drink. The name “Strugglers” is thought to refer to condemned prisoners struggling with guards on the way to the gallows. Early records list it as “The Struggler” beer house in the mid-1800s before the name gradually changed to The Strugglers Inn. More than 180 years later, it remains one of Lincoln’s most historic and characterful pubs.
Inside feels like a small, traditional pub packed with character. The rooms are cosy and low-ceilinged, with dark wood, warm lighting and a bar surrounded by hand pumps. Almost every surface is covered with memorabilia, from framed pictures and old signs to hundreds of beer pump clips fixed across the ceiling and beams. Small tables sit close together and the connected rooms make it feel snug and lively. Outside there’s a simple enclosed beer garden with benches and tables against the brick walls – a quiet spot for a pint when the weather’s good.
On the bar a superb range of 9 cask ales to choose from featuring a wide range of breweries, along with a selection of keg options. I went for Penpol by Verdant Brewing Co., a pale ale with bright citrus and tropical hop notes that’s soft and juicy.
Organ Grinder
Another 5 minute walk in Lincoln brought me to Organ Grinder run by Blue Monkey Brewery. The Organ Grinder on Eastgate is one of Lincoln’s newer pubs. It opened in August 2025 in a town-centre building that dates back to 1895. The pub is run by Blue Monkey Brewery, a Nottinghamshire brewery founded in 2008. Before becoming the Organ Grinder, the site was home to the craft beer bar BeerHeadZ. After a refurbishment, it reopened under the brewery’s Organ Grinder name, joining their small group of pubs in the Midlands. Today it acts as a Lincoln outlet for Blue Monkey beers, bringing the brewery’s real ales and craft styles to the city in a historic building close to the cathedral.
Inside has a clean, modern micropub feel with a simple open layout. Wooden floorboards run throughout the room, with small round tables and comfortable brown chairs spread out across the space. Along one side, patterned wallpaper and a large wall mirror add a bit of character, while the long wooden bar stretches across the back with a line of handpumps and taps. Soft lighting above the bar and dark blue walls give the room a warm, relaxed feel. The seating is well spaced, making it easy for small groups to settle in for a drink without the room feeling crowded, and the overall atmosphere is casual and welcoming.
6 cask ales are available on the bar along with 10 keg lines and a couple of still ciders. I went for Mosaic Session Pale Ale by Blue Monkey Brewery, a pale ale with bright citrus and tropical hop flavour that’s crisp and easy to drink.
The Joiners Arms
Next was a walk down a very steep hill to The Joiners Arms. The Joiners Arms on Victoria Street has been part of Lincoln’s West End since around 1867, during the city’s Victorian expansion. As new terraces were built and the area filled with workers and families, pubs like this quickly became important meeting places. By the 1880s the Joiners Arms appears in local trade directories, showing it was already established in the growing part of the city. Its name follows the long British tradition of pub names linked to historic trades, in this case joinery and carpentry. For more than a century the Joiners Arms has remained a familiar and well-known pub, reflecting the everyday life and history of Lincoln’s West End.
Inside feels like a proper traditional pub, with wooden floors, dark wood panelling and several small rooms that create cosy corners rather than one large space. Seating includes cushioned chairs and bench seating by the windows, while the walls are filled with framed photos, aviation artwork and football memorabilia. A real fire in the main room adds warmth, and there’s also a pool table, dartboard and even a retro arcade machine. The polished wooden bar is lined with handpulls serving real ale. Outside, a small enclosed beer garden offers barrel tables, benches and a simple courtyard space for a pint in the fresh air.
On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, one cider and a variety of keg options. I went for Wight Gold by Island Brewery, a golden ale that’s light, crisp and easy to drink.
White Horse
An extra visit I managed to fit into the White Horse Lincoln. The White Horse on Hungate in Lincoln has welcomed drinkers for well over two centuries. Records show an inn on the site by 1794, serving people close to the city’s historic centre and river. The current building largely dates from 1921, when brewers Hall, Cutlack and Harlock of Ely rebuilt the pub. Like many pubs, its name changed over time and it traded as the Tap & Spile from the 1990s. After closing and a period of refurbishment, the pub reopened in late 2023 and proudly returned to its historic name, the White Horse. Today it carries on the same tradition — a relaxed, friendly place for good food, proper drinks and conversation.
Inside feels bright, relaxed and welcoming. The main dining room has pale green walls, large windows and herringbone wooden floors, with simple wooden tables and woven lights hanging above. It’s airy in the daytime and softly lit as evening arrives. Just off to one side is The Snug, a darker little corner with curved leather seating where people can settle in for a quiet drink or conversation. Artwork on the walls adds a bit of character without feeling fussy. Out the back there’s a compact beer garden courtyard, with tables beneath a canopy, a few plants around the edges, and a comfortable spot for drinks outdoors.
Drinks wise on the bar a selection of 2 cask ales, a cider and a great range of keg options. I went for Lamanva by Verdant Brewing Co., a pale ale with bright citrus and tropical hop notes that’s soft and juicy.
The Cardinal’s Hat
Back onto the High Street brings me to The Cardinal’s Hat. The Cardinals Hat on Lincoln’s High Street is one of the city’s oldest pub buildings. The timber-framed structure dates back to the late 1400s, when it was originally a town house for a wealthy wool merchant. In the early 1500s it was turned into an inn and named after Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who became Bishop of Lincoln in 1514. Records show it was already operating as an inn by 1521. Over the centuries the building had many uses, including shops and offices, before later returning to life as a pub after restoration. Today it stands as a remarkable reminder of Lincoln’s medieval past.
Inside feels warm, cosy and full of character. Thick stone walls, low ceilings and small windows set deep into the stone remind you just how old the building is, while soft lighting gives the rooms a gentle glow. Wooden tables and a mix of benches, stools and chairs create relaxed places to sit with a drink. In one corner, tall bookcases packed with books frame a doorway into a small raised room, adding a quirky touch. The layout of several small connected rooms makes the pub feel intimate and welcoming, with each space offering a slightly different place to settle in and enjoy a quiet pint.
A selection of 4 cask ales on the bar including their house ale, alongside a great choice of keg options. I went for Cardinals Hat Ale by Pheasantry Brewery, a smooth amber ale with gentle malt sweetness and an easy finish.
The Strait and Narrow
Next up was another extra visit to The Strait and Narrow. The Strait and Narrow stands on The Strait, a narrow historic lane linking Lincoln’s High Street with Steep Hill. The street has been part of the city’s busy trading routes for centuries. Before becoming a bar, the building at 29–31 The Strait was home to a shop called Catalogue Bargain Shop, a catalogue discount outlet connected with the wider Shop Direct catalogue retail network. By 2011 the premises had fallen into poor condition and stood partly collapsed and empty. Two local friends restored the building over about 13 months and reopened it in 2012 as The Strait and Narrow, bringing new life to this long-standing commercial building.
Inside is warm, lively and full of character. A long bar packed with bottles glows under red lighting, while exposed brick walls, dark wood and sparkling chandeliers soften the room. Red leather booths and small tables create cosy corners where people can settle in and chat. A large wooden beam frames the back room, adding to the feel of an old building given new life. Look around and you’ll spot playful touches too, including GTA-style cocktail menus and the pub’s quirky “Strait Exchange” phone system, where guests can dial different tables or seating areas across the bar for a chat. It’s friendly, relaxed and easy to spend time in.
A great keg range on the bar with lots of different styles to choose from, along with a fantastic selection of cans and bottles in addition. I went for People, Money, Space, Time by Verdant Brewing Co., a pale ale with bright citrus and tropical hop notes that’s soft and juicy.
The Jolly Brewer
Up next in Lincoln was The Jolly Brewer. The pub on Broadgate now known as the Jolly Brewer has a long and changing history. The site has been a pub since the early 19th century, when it was known as the Royal Cow, later becoming the Brown Cow. By the late 1800s it had been renamed The Unity, a name it kept for many years. In the late 20th century the pub became the Jolly Brewer, before later reopening as Bentley’s Bar. After another period of change and closure, it reopened in 2023 once again as the Jolly Brewer. Through all these name changes, the building has remained a long-standing pub on Broadgate.
Inside has a relaxed, friendly feel with a modern, open layout that makes it easy to settle in. High tables and stools fill the main room, where people gather to chat, watch sport on the big screen, or enjoy a drink with friends. Exposed brick, tiled pillars and colourful wall art add character, while music lyrics painted along the walls reflect the pub’s connection to indie band The Sherlocks, who are involved with the venue. Toward the back, a covered walkway with leather seating leads out to the large beer garden, which spreads across several levels with plenty of seating and covered areas
A single cask ale on the bar on my visit along with a variety of keg options to choose from. I went for Landlord by Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, a classic pale ale with gentle citrus and a smooth, balanced finish.
Dog & Bone
Another extra call in Lincoln was to Dog and Bone. The Dog & Bone on John Street in Lincoln is a small, friendly local pub with a long story. Over the years it has been known by a few different names, including the Gay Dog and the Spa Tavern. Today it is run as a community pub and is owned by the Lincolnshire brewery Batemans. Tucked away on a quiet street, it has become known for well-kept real ales, a cosy fire, and a welcoming feel. Locals often meet here for a drink, a chat, or live music nights. It may be hidden away, but the Dog & Bone has become one of Lincoln’s best-loved traditional pubs.
Inside feels warm and relaxed, with lots of little corners to settle into. Wooden tables and bench seating sit beneath shelves packed with books, games and the odd guitar on the wall. Cushions, soft lighting and a small fireplace add to the cosy feel. There’s a mix of quiet spots for a chat and larger tables for friends to gather. Chalkboards list music nights and events, giving the room a lively touch. Out the back, the beer garden is a good size, with picnic tables, plants and a wooden pergola. It’s a pleasant place to sit with a pint when the weather is kind.
On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales, along with a range of keg options. I went for Dark M by Batemans Brewery, a dark mild that’s smooth, malty and easy to drink.
The Golden Eagle
Down to the far side of the High Street to visit The Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle on Lincoln’s High Street is a friendly old pub with a long history. Records show a pub on the site from the early 1700s, serving travellers and local residents for centuries. In the 1930s it was run by former Lincoln City footballer Yaffer Ward, linking it to the city’s football story. Today the pub is owned by Castle Rock Brewery and has two cosy bars and a large beer garden. Sitting close to Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank ground, it often fills with supporters on match days and still feels like a proper, traditional local.
Inside feels warm, relaxed and full of character. There are wooden floors, exposed brick walls and sturdy wooden tables with simple stools and benches. One room has cosy booths by the window and a small fireplace, with dark panelling and soft lighting that gives it a comfortable feel. Another area is a bit more open, with long tables where people can gather for a chat. Outside, the beer garden is tucked away at the back. It’s a sheltered, simple space with wooden tables and chairs, a covered roof, and heaters to keep things comfortable when the weather turns cooler.
On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales to choose from along with a range of keg options. I went for Best Bitter by Pheasantry Brewery, a smooth bitter with gentle malt flavour and an easy finish.
The Imp & Angel
A short walk down the High Street brought me to The Imp & Angel. The Imp & Angel on Lincoln’s High Street is a small independent micropub that opened in 2019. The building had already been part of Lincoln’s modern pub scene, as it previously housed The Hop & Barley, which opened in 2016 as the city’s first micropub. When the new pub took over, it kept the idea of a small, traditional drinking spot focused on real ale. The name celebrates two famous symbols of the city – the mischievous Lincoln Imp in Lincoln Cathedral and the angel from the cathedral’s Angel Choir. Since opening, the Imp & Angel has become a well-known little pub on the High Street.
Inside is compact, cosy and relaxed. Wooden bench seating runs along the walls, paired with small square tables and a handful of chairs arranged neatly through the room. The floor has a light wood finish that helps brighten the space, while warm pendant bulbs hanging from long cords give a soft glow in the evening. One wall is covered in bold floral wallpaper, adding colour and character, while a large mirror along the opposite side reflects the room and helps it feel more open. The front windows bring in plenty of natural light during the day, and a television above the door shows live sport. Altogether it’s a snug little pub with a simple layout where it’s easy to settle in and enjoy the relaxed surroundings.
3 cask ales on the bar to choose from along with a variety of keg options varying in style. I went for Amarillo by Jolly Sailor Brewery, a pale ale with bright citrus hop flavour that’s crisp and refreshing.
Millers Arms
Another extra call was to Millers Arms. The Millers Arms on Lincoln’s High Street has been part of the city’s pub scene since at least 1841, when it first appears in records as a beerhouse serving the busy southern end of town. For a time it was known as the Miller’s Rest, reflecting the working character of the area. By 1885, Kelly’s Directory lists it as the Millers’ Arms at 86 High Street, run by Ann Tatton. In those days the High Street was packed with small inns and beerhouses for traders, railway workers and locals passing through. While many of those pubs have disappeared over time, the Millers Arms has carried on pouring pints for generations.
Inside is warm and easy going, with a mix of simple modern touches and classic pub features. Wooden tables and chairs sit on dark parquet flooring, while cushioned bench seating lines the walls beneath small framed pictures and soft wall lights. One wall has a large mural showing the brewing process, a nice nod to the craft behind the beer. The pub opens out into a second room with more seating and a dartboard, giving it a bit of space without losing that cosy feel. Out back there’s a covered beer garden with wooden benches and tables, a handy spot for a pint outside.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar to choose from along with a range of keg choices. I went for Primate by Blue Monkey Brewery, a pale ale with citrus hop flavour that’s crisp and refreshing.
The Tiny Tavern
My final call in Lincoln was to The Tiny Tavern. The Tiny Tavern on Lincoln’s High Street is a small independent micropub that opened on 16 March 2020, just one week before the first COVID-19 lockdown. Despite the difficult timing, it managed to reopen later and gradually built a loyal following. The pub is set in two linked Grade II listed cottages on St Andrew’s Row, with parts of the buildings dating back to the 17th century. The idea behind the Tiny Tavern was to create a small, traditional real-ale pub in a historic setting. Since opening, it has become a well-known little spot on Lincoln’s High Street.
Inside is exactly what its name suggests – small, cosy and welcoming. Wooden floors run through the narrow rooms, with small tables and stools placed neatly around the space. A long patterned bench lines one wall, while a bright window seat at the front looks out onto the street. The walls are painted in warm colours, with a touch of exposed brick and a few mirrors and framed details adding character. Simple ceiling lights keep the room softly lit. Plants, signs and small decorations give the place personality without cluttering it. The result is a comfortable little pub that feels relaxed, friendly and easy to settle into.
A great line up of 5 cask ales on the bar to select from along with a selection of other options. I went for Henrietta by Welbeck Abbey Brewery, a pale ale with light citrus hop notes that’s crisp and refreshing.
Micropub Adventures 