Nightlife in St Austell

We’ve already highlighted the St Austell Brewery in our top activities in St Austell. It’s independent, family-run and locally-adored for giving the world Tribute, the most delicious of pints. As we explained on our activities page, the St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre is great if you want to learn more about its fascinating history. When it comes to sampling the good stuff, the Hicks Bar is on site. You can guzzle down a pint of all your favourites. It also serves exclusives from the Small Batch Brewery, which tend to be more experimental.

Alternatively, there are plenty of St Austell Brewery pubs in the area. A couple of our favourites include the Rashleigh Arms in Charlestown, and The Holmbush Inn, which is even closer to our St Austell hotel. Both are lovely, airy pubs with honest, tasty food, as well as a solid drinks selection and friendly locals.

If you want to play it safe with a trip to the local Wetherspoons, it goes by the name of The Rann Wartha. You’ll find it in St Austell town centre. You know what to expect; it’s the pub of choice for cheap pints, well-portioned, fast pub grub, and friendly service. The building itself is the former home of the St Austell Conservative Club and dates back to the 19th century when the town enjoyed its heyday, thanks to the china clay industry.

Older still is The Polgooth Inn. This classic Cornish village pub dates back to the 16th century. It has bags full of character thanks to its old wood features, roaring open fire and a welcoming legion of locals. There’s a large beer garden for when the sun’s out and the weather’s warm, and it boasts a lovely view across the countryside and the local pond. In terms of drinks, the beer is well looked after, and there’s a great selection. Wine fans won’t be disappointed either. There’s also a solid array of spirits. However, our favourite thing about The Polgooth Inn is the food. The fish pie is a triumph, so too the Sunday roast, and there’s a separate menu with great vegan options.

We’ve saved our favourite for last. Mr Small’s Cornish Taphouse is right in the heart of St Austell town centre, in Aylmer Square. Perhaps you fancy a drink after a trip to White River Place, or maybe you’ve been to the cinema and you’re looking for somewhere for a chinwag and a cheeky pint. Mr Small’s is just a stone’s throw away, and one of the best places to go for a drink in town. They stock beers from some of the best independent breweries in the country. There are hundreds of different bottles, as well as an ever-changing selection of excellent ales on tap. If beers aren’t your bag, there’s also a fab choice of ciders, gins and wines. The staff are really friendly and extraordinarily knowledgeable, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation. On top of that, they serve Cornish pasties, gourmet sausage rolls, Cornish cream tea, and cakes, in case you get peckish.