There is a great range of bars & pubs in Bishop’s Stortford from your traditional old boozer to slick cocktail bars. Here are a list of my favourites with more detail below – Peach, The Star, The Bishop’s Cave, The Horn at the Half Moon Inn, Host, The Dog’s Head, Ace of Lanes, The Cock Inn, The Three Willows, The Three Horseshoes, The Coach & Horses, The Drinks Boutique, The Bridge House, Water Lane and Paisa.
Bars & Pubs in Bishop’s Stortford
1. Peach
Peach is a cosy but vibrant café and bar in the heart of the town. It is designed to be a fun and exciting place for brunch, bubbles, coffee and cocktails. I loved their neon light signage, memorabilia and, of course, their awesome cocktails. The menu features Peach’s signature cocktails as well as the classics but the team is happy to mix what it can to please the customer.
2. The Star
The Star on Bridge Street is a great choice for affordable drinks and food in Bishop’s Stortford. It also has a late night licence to 2am (fingers crossed no more curfews). The 17th century pub has plenty of space inside and a courtyard outside with a handful of covered booths.
We were pretty chuffed with the 2-4-1 cocktails offer (even at weekends) and the extensive gin menu. The food menu is typical pub grub including sandwiches, burgers and pizzas. The Star has different offers throughout the week for a meal and drink for around £10 – what a bargain.
3. The Bishop’s Cave
The Bishop’s Cave, situated on North Street, specialises in cheese, wine and craft beer. It operates as a cafe during the day with evening sittings starting at 5.30. As expected, there is a wide selection of wine available by glass and bottle, together with a small bar menu including charcuterie, bread, olives, and several cheeses.
4. The Horn at the Half Moon Inn
The Horn is a late night live music venue in Stortford on North Street. The pub dates back to 1642 where it used to be a coaching inn (a resting point for people and horses) and was refurbished in 2018. It offers regular live music events from original musicians and touring artists, as well as cover and tribute bands.
There is an outdoor area for the warmer months and the pub also serves a selection of burgers and sides during the day.
5. Host
Host was one of the first venues I noticed in Bishop’s Stortford with its large outdoor terrace area in the centre of town. It doubles up as a restaurant offering modern European food (not tried the menu yet). We sampled a few cocktails including frozen strawberry daquiri, espresso martini, lychee martini and negroni which were all great (around £7.5).
6. The Dogs Head
The Dog’s Head is a great spot for watching sport in Bishop’s Stortford with most main events shown. Combine that with local beers from The Hertford Brewery and hearty pub grub and a few hours can easily pass by. It’s spacious for bigger groups and always has drinks deals on!
7. Ace of Lanes
If you love sports or a bit of competitive activity, then Ace of Lanes is for you. It has bowling, interactive darts, golf simulator and pool all under one roof, situated right by The Empire Cinema in Bishop’s Stortford. Burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and more are available on the food menu, as well as a fun selection of cocktails.
8. The Cock Inn
The Cock Inn is situated on Stansted Road, opposite Ruby’s Indian restaurant. It is a traditional pub, with a selection of beers, ales and gins. It shows sports and the owner Adam is welcoming – they also have an outdoor courtyard which you can book.
9. The Three Willows
The Three Willows is a traditional country pub in Birchanger, on the outskirts of Bishop’s Stortford. Serving great Sunday Roasts and with a huge beer garden for all to enjoy, it is the perfect place for a weekend walk and pint!
10. The Three Horseshoes
The Three Horseshoes is located in Spellbrook, just a short drive from the south of the town, and right near the River Stort. The picturesque thatched-roof country pub and former coaching inn boasts a huge beer garden and plenty of space inside too.
Food wise, it’s your typical pub grub with sandwiches, burgers, pies and (of course!) fish and chips and is pretty average but I’ve added it to this page as it’s a great venue for outdoor drinks!
11. The Coach and Horses
The Coach and Horses in Thorley is a pub in Bishop’s Stortford serving local ale and British inspired pub classics including fish & chips, burgers and steak. It has a large beer garden perfect for the summer as well as plenty of cosy corners inside.
12. The Drinks Boutique
The Drinks Boutique is an intimate wine and cocktail bar in Bishop’s Stortford. With seating at the bar, it encourages good conversation over good wine! As well as a range of white, red and rose wine, there are also cocktails, mocktails and spirits. You can also purchase bottles of wine for home and keep an eye out for their wine and cheese nights!
13. The Bridge House Pub
The Bridge House is a fun Irish pub in Stortford with live music and sports (with 11 screens!). It’s split over three floors with a bar downstairs, first floor bar and live music and second floor small roof terrace. It’s open until 2am every night apart from Sunday which is 1am. There was a fun, lively atmosphere on a Friday night with friendly staff and a few shots of Baby Guinness…!
14. Water Lane
Water Lane Lounge & Bar is located in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford in the 17th century Hawkes Brewery building. It hosts bottomless brunches every Saturday afternoon and the drinks menu includes all-time favourites such as prosecco, house wine, beers, house cocktails and house spirits. They also have special drag bottomless brunch afternoons.
The bar is open late on Friday’s and Saturday’s with both floors usually open (downstairs for dancing!) as well as karaoke in the week.
15. Paisa Wine Bar
Paisà is an Italian word for close friend / associate – usually someone who is from the same village as you in Italy! This closeness translates to a warm, welcoming and cosy wine bar in Bishop’s Stortford which I just loved!
They have offer several Italian wines by the glass or bottle – the house Gavi di Gavi was incredible and only £7. The cocktail list has many options and it was the first time we had a Negroni Sour (like a negroni but with egg white and sugar syrup).
Food wise, there is antipasti, charcuterie and cheese boards and foccacia and sourdough with Italian fillings. The toasted sourdough topped with burrata and nduja was just delicious. One of my favourite bars in Bishop’s Stortford!
East London Girl: Pubs and Bars in Bishop’s Stortford
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