8 Pubs in Bordeaux you Should Visit

Today we are talking about something that will be right up your alley if you are a beer connoisseur. First, let’s get something straight. French people love wine. Sure, but they also appreciate a good glass of cold brew on a hot, summer day (or winter day actually) just as much as the next dude. The amount of bars and pubs in our fair city is staggering and guess what – I am all up for it. So, just to make it easy for you when you are wondering where to go for some delicious beer tonight I give you 8 PUBS IN BORDEAUX YOU SHOULD VISIT and why!

Nestled at the corner of Rue Judaique and Rue Castelnau d’Auros, there is a homey, cozy pub, named after one of the coolest book characters ever – Detective Sherlock Holmes. The staff is nice and bilingual. They have a wonderful beer selection, shipped directly from a brewery in Bedford, England. I highly suggest taking the time to look over their beer menu if you, like me, have no idea how to choose your beer and you are tired of the good old London Stout.

They have a cool collection of tasty brews with an abundance of flavors. Frequented by mostly young people it’s a place you can always meet new friends and strike up a conversation. They also have a terrace for those warm summer nights. Cool events like open mic and karaoke also take place in the pub. Once I even sang ‘It’s my life’ by Bon Jovi. Yes! Me! It was dope.

OPENING HOURS:

Mon – Fri: 16h – 2h

Sat: 14h – 2h

Sun: 14h – 1h

The Houses of Parliament (HOP)

If you live in Bordeaux and you like a cold one from now and then you have been to The Houses of Parliament at least once. I would say that this is the most known pub in the city for sure, maybe due to its location – a couple of minutes’ walk from the Grand Theater and rue Saint Catherine. The place is always full, no matter if it is a weekday or a weekend. They have an event organized most of the evenings. They vary from open mic to live performances and the Sunday night quiz. The pub has a pool table for those of you who like to play the game. The staff is friendly and I’m pretty sure most of them are English so obviously you won’t have a problem with the language there if you don’t speak French.

OPENING HOURS

Monday-Friday: 3:00 pm – 2:00 am

Saturday: 1:00 pm – 2:00 am

Sunday: 2:00 pm – 2:00 am

HAPPY HOURS

Monday-Friday: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday-Sunday: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Connemara

In my country, we don’t celebrate St Patrick’s day. Therefore the first time I saw how the people in Bordeaux do it, I was shocked. Mostly at the sheer quantity of people gathered on The Connemara terrace – probably within the hundreds. Though I am pretty sure that this is only an Irish tradition the locals have adopted it, because… well, beer. I am telling you this story so you can understand the significance of this particular pub.

The Connemara is probably one of the best places to have a quality pint of beer and a good bite to eat. If you come from the good Old Country and miss the taste of home they have fish and chips and Irish stew for you. It is also a pub that is more frequented by people over thirty (sad to think that I am one of those people now.) There are often bands, playing live in the pub every Tuesday. And if you want to play your Jack and Rose from Titanic fantasy (you know the dance I am talking about) every Friday there is traditional Irish music playing.

OPENING HOURS: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 pm – 2:00 am

The Frog and Rosbif

The Frog and Rosbif lure you in with a warm and authentic atmosphere. Even though, now the pub looks like a good place to share a pint with a friend, once it was a prison for women. Which I find interesting since I always love historical facts. An ideal destination for a larger group of people this pub has not only its brewery on sight but an amazing food selection like Fish and Chips, American BBQ, and Soul food as well. Since they make their beer from scratch, the Frog and Rosbif allow you to take a tour of their brewery and see the process of making a delicious pint. Also if you are in the mood for brunch on the weekends– they do that too. SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12 PM TO 3.30 PM.

OPENING HOURS:

Monday 17: 30 -1: 00h.

Tuesday 17: 30h-1: 00h.

Wednesday 17:30 – 1:00.

Thursday 17:30 – 2:00.

Friday 17:30 – 2:00.

Saturday 17:30 – 2:00.

Sunday 17:30 – 1:00.

The Charles Dickens

One of the most famous and well-loved pubs in Bordeaux, Charles Dickens is conveniently located at the famous quartier of St Pierre. With a perfect view towards the river, Miroir d’Eau, and within walking distance from Place de la Bourse it’s the ideal place to take a break from sightseeing. The staff is bilingual and they speak both French and English, which is something very common within the local pubs’ community.

It is perfect for both young and not so young as the music usually is quiet enough to have a hearty conversation. They are equipped with tv screens for sports lovers and often organize events like Tuesday night quizzes, darts tournaments, and games nights. The terrace is an ideal place to spend some quality time with friends (and is convenient if you are a smoker). Keep in mind that it gets quite crowded at the beginning of the happy hour. They also have a lovely collection of beers and offer a generous selection of draught and bottled beers from the Eagle Brewery in Bedfordshire, England.

OPENING HOURS: Autumn, Winter, Spring: Mon to Fri: 15h – 2h Sat & Sun: 12h – 2hSummer: 14h -2h30 (weekdays) & 12h-2h30 (weekend)

The Dog and Duck

A couple of minutes’ walk from the biggest square in Bordeaux- Place des Quinconces you will find The Dog and Duck. Most of the customers here seem to be on the younger side but it is easily explained by the abundance of entertainment inside, like the pool table, darts, and foosball. So if you like to play games, this is the place for you. The beer is reasonably priced. I recommend it if you are a sports fan, as they always seem to have a game on, mostly rugby. They also have a nice terrace outside. The staff is friendly and always ready to help with information for the tourist. Also, the nachos are pretty great.

OPENING HOURS:

Monday 16: 00h-2: 00h.

Tuesday 16: 00h-2: 00h.

Wednesday 16: 00h-2: 00h.

Thursday 16: 00h-2: 00h.

Friday 16: 00h-2: 00h.

Saturday 13: 00h-2: 00h.

Sunday 13: 00h-2: 00h.

Au nouveau monde

This Canadian pub is something quite different from the others, so maybe the name – In the new world is quite suitable. Made in a more clean, inviting, and contemporary style and far from the typical pub-like ambiance, this location is a must if you are a beer-lover. Hidden in a little street near Cours Victor Hugo, Au nouveau monde offers very different and interesting kinds of beers. Brewed on sight in a personal little brewery, the pint you will get here is 100% organic. If you are interested in the process of making the beer, they offer a tour of their brewery for 10 euros and you will also get to do some taste testing. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to try the Poutine and the Fair black lady beer, you can thank me later.

OPENING HOURS:

Monday 18: 00h-0: 00h.

Tuesday 12: 00h-1: 00h.

Wednesday 12: 00h-1: 00h.

Thursday 12: 00h-1: 00h.

Friday 12: 00h-2: 00h.

Saturday 12: 00h-2: 00h.

Sunday 11: 00h-0: 00h.

Dick Turpin’s

In just a two-minute walk from the heart of Bordeaux, Hotel de Ville, this little, cozy, unpretentious pub is the preferred destination for students. The chill ambiance and rustic vibes garnered a dash of rock music playing as a background. If you are in the mood to make new friends or simply have a pint with your buddies without having to shout over loud music and lots of voices, this is the perfect place to start. There is also a little terrace for smokers.