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  1. The Isle of Wight's dog-friendly pubs
  2. Bars and pubs in Newport
  3. Family-friendly pubs
  4. Best for beer gardens
  5. East Wight bars and pubs
  6. Best pubs and bars for beer
  7. West Wight bars and pubs
  8. Best pub food on the IOW
  9. Getting to the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight

Pubs and bars

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Best pubs on the Isle of Wight

Discover the world of Isle of Wight pubs and bars. From cosy village inns to lively waterfront spots, the Island is a hub of places to sip and unwind.

With a wide range of local breweries, distilleries and renowned cocktail bars, you’re spoilt for choice on taste as well as location.

Plus, getting here is a breeze with Wightlink, linking the mainland with Ryde, Fishbourne and Yarmouth across three convenient ferry routes.

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A labrador in front of a red brick pub

The Isle of Wight's dog-friendly pubs

The Isle of Wight is not just the ideal holiday location for you and your family, but your four-legged friend will love it here too. So much of the Island is dog-friendly and the pubs and places to eat are no exception.

The Buddle Inn, situated in the Island’s most southerly village of Niton, does not only boast amazing sea views but is also welcoming to your pooch pal. Whether you have muddy boots and paws from a countryside trek or just on jaunt with your dog, all are warmly welcomed. There’s often a few treats on the bar too.

Head towards Newchurch (near the famous Garlic Farm) to a proper pub, The Pointer Inn. Famed for tasty food, it welcomes dogs on leads either inside the pub or in its extensive garden, complete with undercover seating. It’s a welcome pitstop after a countryside ramble.

There are so many walks to choose from where you can start, rest or finish at The Red Lion in Freshwater. Flagstone floors and leather armchairs makes this olde worlde charm at its best.

Discover the dog-friendly Isle
Exterior of the Sun Inn Freehouse, Isle of Wight, on a warm, blue-sky day

Bars and pubs in Newport

As the capital of the Isle of Wight, Newport is a bustling hub of activity throughout the year. No surprise, then, that it’s home to an array of vibrant bars and pubs where you can find the perfect spot to enjoy every season.

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The Isle of Wight's dog-friendly pubsBars and pubs in NewportFamily-friendly pubsBest for beer gardensEast Wight bars and pubsBest pubs and bars for beerWest Wight bars and pubsBest pub food on the IOWGetting to the Isle of Wight

Castle Inn | 91 High Street, PO30 1BQ

Situated in the heart of Newport, The Castle Inn stands as the oldest pub in town, boasting an open fire, pub garden and a history that dates back to 1550.

It holds a unique place in Newport’s heritage, once serving King Charles as a secret passage to Carisbrooke Castle.

Explore the Castle Inn, Newport

The Bargeman's Rest | Little London Quay, PO30 5BS

Overlooking the River Medina in Newport Harbour, there’s live music most evenings and classic home-cooked pub grub at The Bargeman’s Rest.

On tap, you’ll find a selection of real ales, including options from local Isle of Wight breweries.

Explore The Bargeman's Rest

The Hogshead | 20 High Street, PO30 1SS

The Hogshead in Newport is cosy and traditional, featuring ‘olde’-style blackboards, candle-lit tables, and a warming open fire.

It offers a welcoming atmosphere suitable for any occasion, with the occasional live music session and weekly quiz nights.

Explore The Hogshead pub
Family of five dining at a pub table by a log fire

Family-friendly pubs

We all know when the kids are happy it makes eating out a lot easier. So after a day out at one of the amazing attractions across the Isle of Wight, keep the fun going during dinner time so they sleep well when you get back to your accommodation.

The White Mouse, Chale, has one of the largest beer gardens on the Island and boasts spectacular sea views on a sunny day. Kids will have a whale of a time on the outdoor climbing frames and swings and when the weather is a little less than perfect (it occasionally happens even here) there’s an indoor children’s entertainment area too. Their children’s menus (yes plural) are a welcome sight, tailoring dishes to toddlers up to pre-teens. The whole family will be happy.

Tucked away in Rookley is The Chequers Inn. Matching great quality food, made using locally sourced ingredients, with a children’s adventure playground. The outdoor climbing frame is, in a word, immense, and the indoor games room will appeal to kids of all ages – you might lose dad in there for a while, too.

Head east to Sandown where you will find the Caulkheads – and pubs do not get more family friendly. They have an outdoor climbing frame/pirate ship for little ones to burn off energy on warmer days. Raining? Don’t worry, the indoor ball-pit and silent cinema will be sure to keep them occupied. To top it off, there’s even an ice cream factory complete with Mr Whippy machine and what feel like hundreds and thousands (see what we did there) of toppings!

Best for beer gardens

When the weather warms, the beer garden at the aptly-named Sun Inn, Hulverstone, is the perfect place to sit and unwind with a cool beer. This quaint country pub serves superb food and has an expansive garden that spreads over a couple of levels, plus, on a nice day you can see out over the channel. It’s a real spring Sunday afternoon treat.

If stunning sunsets while enjoying a chilled glass of wine is what you are after, then you can’t go wrong with the Woodvale in Cowes. Its vast garden looks over the sea and it’s where you want to be to watch the boats sail by at any time of year.

Summer pubs guide
A beer garden in a pub on the Isle of Wight - the Sun Inn

East Wight bars and pubs

In the east of the Isle of Wight, you’ll find an eclectic mix of bars and pubs in traditional seaside resort towns like Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde – perfect for a pint with beautiful coastal views.

From more traditional outlets serving local ales to modern bars offering creative cocktails, East Wight has a spot to suit every taste.

The Boathouse | Springvale Road, Seaview, PO34 5AW

Known for serving great ales, a wide range of wines and award-winning food, the Boathouse is located near the charming Seaview village on the Isle of Wight.

It’s the perfect beachside spot for excellent dining and a tasty tipple.

Explore the Boathouse
Exterior of a pub, which is on a bend of a road and is painted blue and white. There are picnic tables with umbrellas outside on a small patch of grass

Pilot Boat Inn | Station Road, Bembridge, PO35 5NN

The Pilot Boat Inn is where it all started for Wight Knuckle Brewery and it’s still the best place to find all of their beers, including exclusive seasonal and experimental ranges.

Settle in for a while; taste your way through a flight of beers and enjoy a bite to eat.

Explore Boojum & Snark

Fisherman's Cottage | 1 Esplanade, Shanklin, PO37 6BN

Nestled beneath Shanklin Chine, at the far end of Shanklin Esplanade, discover the thatched beachside pub, Fisherman’s Cottage, with a heritage dating to 1817.

Open seasonally, the pub offers home-cooked meals alongside delicious seafood dishes, often featured on the daily specials board.

Explore The Fisherman's Cottage

Best pubs and bars for beer

Life is too short to drink bad beer, so head to The Wheatsheaf in Yarmouth, who have their own beer tasting room (yes, that’s right!). So if you fancy yourself as a bit of a beer connoisseur, visit with a group of friends and you’ll have two hours to try six different beers. More of a gin queen? They offer gin tasting packages too. Prices vary with each package so there is something to fit every taste.

The Red Lion in Freshwater is another popular ‘drinkers’ pub. Set near the River Yar and off the Causeway, it’s the perfect pitstop after a walk from Yarmouth. With four ales to choose from alongside cold lagers, you can either settle inside or enjoy the spacious beer garden on sunny days.

A selection of real ales on the bar of a pub

West Wight bars and pubs

Enjoy delightful dining and refreshing drinks in the scenic West Wight, with bars in Yarmouth, Freshwater and many more rural locations.

A haven for country pub fans, you’ll find many-an-establishment boasting roaring log fires, locally-brewed ales and some of the best homely food the Island has to offer.

The Highdown Inn | Highdown Lane, Totland, PO39 0HY

Known for its charm idyllic location, this top-rated Isle of Wight pub welcomes everyone.

Whether you’re sporting muddy boots or a furry companion, you’re invited to step inside or soak up the sun in their garden with one of their award-winning ales.

Explore The Highdown Inn

The Red Lion | Church Place, Freshwater, PO40 9BP

The Red Lion, a classic countryside pub with its original flagstone floor and cosy open fire, offers a tranquil setting tucked away in Freshwater, near the Causeway.

Cyclists and walkers will find it conveniently located for a stop off pint or hearty pub meal.

Explore The Red Lion

The Bugle Coaching Inn | The Square, Yarmouth, PO41 0NS

This family run 16th-century pub stands proudly in the heart of Yarmouth’s bustling market square.

Known for using local produce in its hearty meals, The Bugle Inn sits just moments away from the sea, harbour, and our Wightlink ferry port.

Explore The Bugle Coaching Inn

Best pub food on the IOW

Take a delectable journey across the Island and savour the best pub food the Isle of Wight has to offer.

Make your trip one to remember with locally sourced and homegrown produce taking centre stage, expert chefs working their culinary magic, and fresh seafood delighting your taste buds.

See our guide to dining on the Diamond Isle to get the lowdown.

  • Explore the Island’s foodie scene
    • Victoria of Wight sails into Fishbourne

    Getting to the Isle of Wight

    We’re an award-winning ferry service, bringing 4.2 million people together every year across our three convenient cross-Solent routes.

    If you’re bringing a vehicle across to the Isle of Wight, pick from our Portsmouth – Fishbourne and Lymington – Yarmouth routes, both getting you across the water in under 50 minutes. Portsmouth – Fishbourne is perfect if you’re travelling down from London or the East, while our picturesque Lymington – Yarmouth route is ideal for travellers from the west.

    Coming on foot? You can be on the Island in as little as 22 minutes on our Portsmouth – Ryde FastCat service, with trips running regularly across the day.

    Book your ferry