by Did someone mention nightlife? Needless to say, you’re more likely to go to Suffolk to escape it than to seek it out. There are a few places where you might want to let your hair down and have a few drinks and some decent live music venues, but really the best way to spend an evening in Suffolk is as it has been for centuries : go to a local pub and sample local ales.
For more inspiration, discover our guide to Suffolk and the best restaurants, hotels and things to do in the area.
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Inland Suffolk
The Locks Inn, Geldeston
On the banks of the river Waveney, which is the border between the two counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Locks Inn is technically a few meters into Norfolk on the north bank of the river, but it is such a legendary local article that we had to take into account . it. It is also a local legend, which has recently survived the local community and still hosts regular live music on Sunday evenings, as well as regular country nights, Gaelic music nights and thousands of other inventive offers to entice you here. It feels very remote, and is one of the few pubs most easily accessible by the river – by ferry from the Beccles side of the river.
Contact: thelocksinn.com
Prices:£
Stoke-by-Nayland Hotel
This family-run hotel in the heart of the Suffolk countryside (owned by the Copella juice family, who have orchards around the hotel) has been hosting their live ‘Leece Jazz’ nights for ten years now, attracting some the most popular performers. on the British jazz scene. Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, tickets cost £15–£20, and their cozy bar is a great place for pre-gig refreshments.
Contact: stokebynayland.com
Prices: ££
King’s Head, Laxfield
A proper pub, and one of our favorites in Suffolk, this ancient watering hole on the green in the pretty central Suffolk village of Laxfield was announced ‘Adnams Pub of the Year’ a few years ago, and is unusual in that it is there. bar – it’s just a room full of barrels that the staff go into to take your order and make you comfortable in one of the pub’s wood paneled rooms. It is also unusual in that it has two names – it is also called the ‘Low House’! Food is good, served in a separate dining room and the whole place feels very friendly, and especially cozy on a winter night.
Contact: lowhouselaxfield.com
Prices: £
The Eel’s Foot Inn, East Bridge
This simple and welcoming pub is set in a bucolic setting just inland from Dun Luche, with many walks on the doorstep for many years. A big man of local community life, ‘Squit Night’ is held there every Thursday night, as well as the last Sunday night of every month which caters to the local country club. Bring your tool and join in if you’re so inclined!
Contact: theeelsfootinn.co.uk
Suffolk coast
DP, Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh is full of restaurants but doesn’t have a great selection of places to enjoy a tipple – except, that is, the legendary DP’s Bar, whose pristine art deco interior, among other things, used to be an apothecary and a bookstore and now hosts live music events, occasional quiz nights and serves great Thai street food in the outdoor courtyard every summer. Even when nothing is happening, there’s a friendly boho vibe that’s a pleasant contrast to Aldeburgh’s mostly vanilla offerings.
Contact: dpsbar.co.uk
Prices: £
Ramsholt Arms, Ramsholt
About five miles south of Woodbridge, this riverside pub sits right on the Deben estuary, a stunning location with large picture windows and a large terrace over the water. After a major renovation, it has endless spruce with simple wooden tables providing a place to sit and get lost in the wonderful view outside. If you’re looking for an evening out in a country pub, with really good food too, look no further. Perhaps the best spot to enjoy the sunset on a late summer evening by the river.
Contact: theramsholtarms.com
Prices:£
Ipswich and Country Constabulary
Dove Street Inn, Ipswich
The Dove Street Inn is undoubtedly one of the best local pubs in Ipswich, renowned for its selection of ales (including its own breweries) and a wide and interesting selection of bottled beers from a short walk from both the swanky coast and town centre. around the world. It’s deceptively large inside, with a back room and courtyard and a cozy bar at the front, and they host regular beer festivals and other events throughout the year. They also serve a great menu of chilli, curries, pies and the like.
Contact: dovestreetinn.co.uk
Price: £
The Maybush Inn, Waldringfield
Owned by the same people as the Butt & Oyster in Pin Mill on the Shotley Peninsula, along with some great local pubs, this is gloriously situated by a river about 10 miles from Ipswich, with a great location on its north bank. the river Deben. Enjoy a pint or two and maybe a bite to eat (they do great stuff as well as the usual pub fare) on the large terrace overlooking the trees and grassy banks of the tranquil river. A lovely setting for a summer drink by the river.
Contact: debeninns.co.uk
Prices:£
Arcade Street Pub, Ipswich
Right in Ipswich town centre, round the corner from the Corn Exchange, this little bar has quickly made a name for itself on the local craft beer scene, with an ever-changing range of cutting-edge brews on tap and literally hundreds by the bottle – plus you can bring the beers you like in one of their unique cans, or ‘crawlers.’ They also have a huge gin menu, and regularly have beer and gin tastings, music and quiz nights and ‘Streetfood Fridays’, when local vendors are invited in to sell their wares to hungry punters.
Contact: arcadetavern.co.uk
Prices: £
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveler – and consider service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
