Great Pubs and Bars in St Ives.
Looking for somewhere to relax with a drink during your St Ives holiday? Here at Cornish Escapes, we have a good working knowledge of local pubs and bars in St Ives, and we have put together a list of our favourite spots. From sundowners with a view to the best places for a local brew, here’s the Cornish Escapes guide to some great pubs and bars in St Ives. Why not check out some of the best places to eat too?
The Best Pubs and Bars in St Ives.
Hub St Ives.
The much-loved Hub on Wharf Road overlooks the harbour from its balcony and glass-fronted rooms, and it’s a top choice for a drink with a view. Enjoy a chilled draught or bottled beer, straight from the beach, accompanied by a pile of dirty fries or nachos. Come back in the evening for cocktails and a lively vibe. For the non-drinkers and designated drivers, the Hub’s selection of fresh lemonades and coolers is the best in town.
The Sloop & Upper Deck.
It’s not a holiday in St Ives without at least one visit to The Sloop. On a dry day, you can follow the sound of chat and laughter to this iconic old pub, because the harbourside outdoor tables are always buzzing on a sunny day. There’s also a modern terrace bar upstairs (grown-ups only). However, make sure you don’t bypass the snug medieval interior, where you can pick up a pint of Proper Job or Rattler. Hungry? Tuck into pub grub, pizzas and local seafood.
Balcony Bar.
The Balcony is a popular spot among locals and visitors, with a great location on The Wharf. It’s a brilliant place for a hearty breakfast as well as evening drinks, and the main menu is served from 12:00 until late. Their large range of drinks includes St Ives’ own Porthia Gin and St Ives Island Rum, plus an enticing cocktail menu. If you’re in town during a sporting event, Balcony Bar is the place to come to watch it.
The Queens.
The Queens is a cosy and comfortable pub, which is managed by Cornwall’s famous St Austell Brewery. You’ll find the hotel set back from the harbour and seafront on St Ives’ High Street, housed in an elegant old townhouse. There’s always a good choice of St Austell brews on tap, as well as an extensive wine list. They serve a varied menu of pub classics and pizzas at lunchtime and again from five. Other St Austell pubs in St Ives include the Pedn Olva above Porthminster Beach (the views are amazing) and the bustling Lifeboat Inn on Wharf Road.
Talay Thai Cocktail Lounge.
This friendly restaurant is a firm favourite for its authentic Thai food and friendly service. As well as its upstairs restaurant, Talay Thai also has a cocktail lounge on the ground floor. If you’re dining here, arrive early as an excuse to wait downstairs! However, you can come here just to enjoy a drink (look out for happy hour between 3 and 5 pm every day). They serve a great choice of cocktails and mocktails – try the rum-based Talay Spritz.
The Lifeboat Inn.
This traditional inn enjoys outstanding sea views and a cosy atmosphere, with a roaring log fire making it an especially inviting spot on cooler days.
There is a great selection of St Austell Brewery beers on tap, alongside wines, coffees and other favourites, so it works just as well for a relaxed drink as it does for a bite to eat. The menu features contemporary takes on pub classics, with seasonal specials that make the most of Cornwall’s excellent local produce. Whether you settle into a window seat for lunch, stop by for coffee and cake, or gather with friends for dinner, there is plenty to enjoy.
The Lifeboat is family friendly and dogs are welcome too, making it a popular choice for all kinds of visitors. There is also plenty going on throughout the week, from live sport and bingo nights to live music and pub quiz evenings, giving this busy St Ives pub a lively community feel as well as plenty of character.
Meet The Author.
As a Product Director at Cornish Escapes, Connor oversees the development of Cornish Escapes’ products and developments, legal and professional development, project management and delivery alongside company-wide analytics and financial reporting.
He is also the lead of all creative outputs at Cornish Escapes, developing our newly introduced owner suite, branding and art direction, and our newly delivered Cornish Escapes website. Connor’s main objective is to ensure that Cornish Escapes continues to provide the best holidays to its guests through its continued brand success, whilst finding new ways to make the guest experience with Cornish Escapes as enjoyable as possible.
When not plugging away on the spreadsheets, Connor is Cornish Escapes’ certified foody. Having lived in Cornwall for over 20 years, he has built up quite the repertoire of places to eat and (especially) drink. Some of his favourites are Talay Thai in St Ives, alongside all of the fabulous food festivals scattered across Cornwall.
View Some of Our Holiday Cottages St Ives.
After a cocktail by the beach or a pint of Korev in a cosy pub, it’s lovely to be able to stroll back to your holiday cottage. Here at Cornish Escapes, we have a collection of luxury holiday cottages and apartments in the heart of St Ives – which pub or bar will become your holiday “local”?
