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After a hard day of sightseeing, shopping or exploring you may find you want to unwind in one of Colchester’s many watering holes. There’s plenty to choose from around the town centre.
Keep an eye out for Colchester Beer Festivals too. Colchester Arts Centre hosts summer and winter events in conjunction with Colchester CAMRA, and the East Anglian Railway Museum is home to the popular Chappel Beer Festival. Plenty of other pubs, breweries and organisations hold further events throughout the year as well.
For Real Ale
If you’re after a classic pub, with original features, low lights, occasionally sticky carpets and most importantly great beer you will need to wander slightly out of the town centre. To the North, towards the mainline station, lies The Victoria Inn, and Bricklayers Arms, whilst south of the town you can find The Odd One Out and The Old New Inn. All heartily recommended in CAMRA’s good beer guide.
In the town centre you can find some excellent craft beer bars as well, most notably the Queen Street Brew House, Three Wise Monkeys and Church Street Tavern.
For Cocktails
There’s plenty of bars serving both classic and original cocktails around the town. You could try the ever-popular Twisters Bar on North Hill or its sister bar V Bar on the High Street. There are great drinks to be had at all of them.
For Food
If you’re after a bite to eat with your drink the historic and popular Purple Dog in the heart of town serves traditional pub food. You can find fancier fair at the excellent Church Street Tavern or The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie or tuck in to some American-style barbeque food and burgers at Three Wise Monkeys
For Dancing and Live Music
Fancy letting your hair down on a Saturday night? You’ll find plenty of pubs with live music and DJs. The Bull on Crouch Street has a great reputation for traditional pub bands playing originals and covers, there’s often great bands of exciting theme nights on the top floor of Three Wise Monkeys, and don’t forget to stop by Twisters Bar for a venue that prides itself on the music it plays.
For a really late night, head towards Queen Street where bars like the Silk Road and Fashion Cafe keep going as late as 4am.
For Something Familiar
If you don’t want to take a risk with the unfamiliar, Colchester has plenty of familiar chain pubs and bars as well, most notably the Wetherspoons called the Playhouse, which is located in a former Theatre and has the very impressive décor to match.
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Number of results: 14
Harwich
A stunning restaurant, bar and hotel on the Essex Coast.
Address
75 East St, Colchester, CO1 2TSTelephone
01206 973371Colchester
Dating back to the 16th century and renowned for the siege of Colchester in 1648, this beautiful building is now open as a restaurant.
Address
The Green, Polstead, Colchester, Suffolk, CO6 5ALTelephone
01206 263150Polstead
A traditional 17th Century Freehouse Country Inn with restaurant, in the village of Polstead on the Essex/Suffolk borders.
Address
Stock Street Farm, Stock Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1NXTelephone
07922487966Coggeshall
Rustic 350 year barn and garden on the A120 between Coggeshall West and Bradwell.
Step free, child and dog friendly, a big country pub with a twist!Address
3 Church Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NFTelephone
01206 564325Colchester
Bar & restaurant in Colchester's town centre perfect for day as much as night. Lunch & dinner, beer, wine & cocktails, afternoon tea too.
Address
15- 19 Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NXTelephone
01206 540500Colchester
Bringing a tropical oasis to your doorstep. Our enchanted bar is a pure delight, exotic wall to wall greenery, coupled with speciality cocktails and beverages.
Address
1-3 Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NXTelephone
01206 710471Colchester
From family friendly to nightclub tunes, Yates Colchester covers it all.
Address
66 North Hill, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PXTelephone
01206 578555Colchester
Serving a delicious selection of food, with something to suit everyone's taste, including a good Vegan selection.
Address
20-21 Middleborough, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1QXTelephone
01206 844448Colchester
Contemporary Pan Pacific dining, small plate sharing or to devour alone, it’s the ultimate dining experience. Seafood, ceviche, sashimi and a speciality Japanese Robatayaki charcoal grill.
Address
29-39 Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NHTelephone
01206 561865Colchester
Walkabout Colchester is great for great sport and great food the Aussie way.
Layer de La Haye
An independent fresh food gastro pub set in the village of Layer de La Haye.
Address
4 St John’s Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7AATelephone
01206 571003Colchester
Great food, great prices in a great venue, The Playhouse can be found in the heart of Colchester.
Address
The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQTelephone
01206 751555Colchester
A beautiful destination venue with a modern British menu, alfresco dining and private hire for functions and parties. Boasting a fantastic deli, restaurant, bar, lounge and garden terrace.
Address
The Sun Inn, High Street, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DFTelephone
01206 323351Dedham
A quintessential coaching inn at the heart of Constable Country. It has been a watering hole for villagers and resting post for travellers for centuries.
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