Best Places to Drink in Salisbury 2026

Ranked by Visitors - updated May 2026

10 viewing now
#1 Top Voted
#1
Winchester Gate
Winchester Gate
Rampart Road
#2
The Haunch of Venison
The Haunch of Venison
Minster Street
#3
Moloko
Moloko
Fisherton Street
#4
Avon Brewery Taproom
Avon Brewery Taproom
Harnham
#5
The Wig & Quill
The Wig & Quill
New Street
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Is the ranking right? Debate below
S
SalisburyJen
5 days ago
I've lived in Salisbury for 15 years and these rankings get more accurate every month. The voting system is working — keep going, locals.
S
SalisburyLocal
2 days ago
The ranking here is roughly right but I'd swap #2 and #3. The one lower down has improved massively in the last year and deserves more votes than it's getting.
W
WiltshireWanderer
4 days ago
Always surprised by how many people vote for the top spot without having visited recently. Places change — a business that was #1 two years ago isn't always #1 today.
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More Places to Drink guides

Wheelchair AccessibleDog FriendlyFamily FriendlyOpen LateOpen SundayWith ParkingWith Beer GardenVegan FriendlyGluten Free OptionsCheapestOpen Bank HolidayNear Salisbury StationTop RatedMost PopularBusiestHidden GemsNear Me

Explore by area

City CentreShopping & high streetCathedral CloseHistoric & scenicFisherton StreetRestaurants & barsHarnhamRiverside & relaxed

Places to Drink in Salisbury - photos

Winchester Gate - Places to Drink Salisbury
Winchester Gate
The Haunch of Venison - Places to Drink Salisbury
The Haunch of Venison
Moloko - Places to Drink Salisbury
Moloko
Avon Brewery Taproom - Places to Drink Salisbury
Avon Brewery Taproom
The Wig & Quill - Places to Drink Salisbury
The Wig & Quill
George and Dragon - Places to Drink Salisbury
George and Dragon
Botanic Cocktail Bar - Places to Drink Salisbury
Botanic Cocktail Bar
Pickled Frog Bistro - Places to Drink Salisbury
Pickled Frog Bistro

What to expect - price guide

-
Budget
Great value picks
- Botanic Cocktail Bar
- Pickled Frog Bistro
--
Mid-range
Most popular choice
- Moloko
- Avon Brewery Taproom
---
Premium
Top-rated options
- Winchester Gate
- The Haunch of Venison

What locals say

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The best craft beer pub in Wiltshire. The range of real ales and cask beers is exceptional and the staff actually know what they are talking about. A genuine fr-

- Chris D. - Winchester Gate
-----

An extraordinary pub. The history in this building is palpable — 700 years of ale-drinking and it shows. The mummified hand is genuinely fascinating. Sunday roa-

- Pete F. - The Haunch of Venison
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Best late-night venue in Salisbury. Friday live music nights are always a great atmosphere. The ground floor stage is good and sightlines are decent. Gets very -

- Jake T. - Moloko

Places to Drink in Salisbury - full guide

- Winchester Gate is currently Salisbury's top-ranked places to drink - voted #1 by locals.

For drinks in Salisbury, Winchester Gate is the top destination for craft ale, while the Haunch of Venison offers an atmosphere unmatched anywhere in the city. The Avon Brewery taproom in Harnham is the best spot for locally brewed beer in a beautiful riverside setting.

Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire with a population of around 40,000. Despite its size, it consistently outperforms expectations for the quality and variety of places to drink on offer - particularly along Fisherton Street, the Cathedral Close, and The Maltings shopping centre. The city draws over 5 million visitors a year, many of whom are specifically searching for the best places to drink Salisbury has to offer.

By area of Salisbury

City Centre (Cathedral area)
The Haunch of Venison and Red Lion Hotel bar — historic pubs within the medieval city core.
Fisherton Street
Winchester Gate and several independent bars — the best stretch for craft beer and a younger crowd.
New Street and Market Place
Wig and Quill and city centre pubs — convenient for shopping and the Cathedral.
Surrounding area (within 5 miles)
Village pubs in Quidhampton, Laverstock and Downton — quieter, often with large gardens.

Tips - places to drink in Salisbury

-The Avon Brewery is only open Friday and Saturday — plan ahead if you want the riverside experience.
-Winchester Gate changes its draft selection regularly — check the board for the latest.
-The Haunch of Venison has a whisky selection worth exploring — ask the bar staff for recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to drink in Salisbury?+

Winchester Gate for craft ale, The Haunch of Venison for atmosphere, Moloko for cocktails, and the Avon Brewery taproom for a local craft beer in a beautiful setting.

Is Places to Drink in Salisbury good?+

Yes — Salisbury has an excellent reputation for its places to drink. The city punches above its weight for a place of 47,000 people, with a strong independent culture and high local standards.

Where in Salisbury can I find the best places to drink?+

The city centre and Fisherton Street are the main areas for places to drink in Salisbury. See our ranked list above for the top-rated options as voted by locals.

Is Places to Drink near Salisbury Cathedral?+

Many of the best places to drink options in Salisbury are within walking distance of the Cathedral. The Cathedral Close and Fisherton Street area (10 minutes walk) are the best starting points.

Also popular near Salisbury

StonehengeAveburyLongleatNew ForestBathStourhead

More Salisbury guides

Cocktail BarsPubs with Log FiresPubs Near the CathedralHistoric PubsPubs Near Salisbury Train StationFamily Friendly PubsPubs Open LateDog Friendly PubsLive Music PubsSports BarsPubs with Real AleGin BarsCocktail MasterclassesPlaces of Worship

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Moloko
Moloko
Fisherton Street · Cocktail bar and late-night venue
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Turtle Bay Salisbury
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Fisherton Street · Caribbean cocktails — happy hour deals
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Winchester Gate
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Rampart Road · Craft spirits and quality cocktails
Top Pubs with Log Fires in Salisbury
Top pubs with log fires in Salisbury ranked by locals
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The Haunch of Venison
The Haunch of Venison
Minster Street · Original medieval fireplace — lit October to April
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Village Inn Quidhampton
Village Inn Quidhampton
Quidhampton · Wood-burning stove — cosy country atmosphere
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Red Lion Hotel Bar
Red Lion Hotel Bar
Milford Street · Open fire in the medieval bar — 13th century inn
Top Pubs Near the Cathedral in Salisbury
Top pubs near Salisbury Cathedral ranked by locals
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1
The Haunch of Venison
The Haunch of Venison
Minster Street · 2 min walk · Oldest pub in Salisbury
2
The Pheasant
The Pheasant
Salt Lane · 5 min walk · Traditional city pub
3
Cloisters Cafe
Cloisters Cafe
Cathedral Close · Steps from the Cathedral entrance

- Did You Know?

🏗️

Salisbury Cathedral was built in just 38 years (1220–1258), which is extraordinarily fast for a medieval building of its size — most cathedrals took centuries.

💧

Salisbury Cathedral is built on a raft of clay and gravel over a bog — the Victorians added 6,000 tonnes of stone to one side to stop it sinking further.

🏯

Old Sarum is one of the oldest settlements in Britain — it has been continuously occupied since the Iron Age, over 3,000 years ago.