Good (Animal-Named) Pubs Near Cathedrals
by Timothy E Popple
September 2025
A partial list for after Evensong.
The following good pubs or bars are:
geographically close;
frequented by the adults of the cathedral choirs;
(or both);
named after animals;
and drawn from the fourth appendix to the excellent (and hilarious) Evensong: Notes from the Choir – A light-hearted guide to choristers and lay clerks in quires and places where they sing.
If in doubt, follow the choir. Please drink responsibly.
* * *
Chester – Pied Bull
Christ Church, Oxford – The Old Tom
Derby – The Dolphin
Durham – Dun Cow
Gloucester – The Pelican
Guildford – The Three Pigeons
Leicester – The Two-Tailed Lion
Lichfield – George and Dragon
Manchester – Sinclair’s Oyster Bar
Peterborough – The Ostrich
Ripon – One-Eyed Rat
Sheffield – Dog & Partridge
St Albans – The Mad Squirrel Tap
St Edmondsbury – The One Bull
St Paul’s, City of London – The Cock Pit
Truro – Red Elephant Beer Cellar
York Minster – Three Legged Mare
