A drinker's guide to Sam Smith's pubs

Samuel Smith's pubs are some of the most distinctive in Britain: their own beer, old-fashioned rooms and some famously strict house rules. Here's what to expect before your first pint.

What is a Sam Smith's pub?

A Sam Smith's pub is one owned and run by Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire's oldest brewery, founded in 1758. The brewery runs its pubs itself, so they look and feel similar wherever you go: traditional bars, carpets, wood panelling and no branding from other drinks companies.

How many Sam Smith's pubs are there?

The pub list dated 1 October 2026 has 312 Sam Smith's pubs across 26 counties, and 170 of them were open. Most are in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and London, with a handful in places like Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Oxford.

Pubs close and reopen fairly often, so check a pub's status on the map before you set off.

What's on the bar?

Only the brewery's own drinks. That means Old Brewery Bitter on cask, Sovereign Bitter, Taddy Lager, Alpine Lager, Extra Stout, Cider Reserve and an organic range, plus Sam Smith's own spirits and soft drinks. You won't find Guinness, Carling or Coca-Cola.

Every pub page on The Taddy Trail shows the typical range, and drinkers add what they actually found on the bar and what they paid.

Why are Sam Smith's pubs so cheap?

The brewery makes almost everything it sells and owns its pubs, so there's no middleman taking a cut. A pint is usually well below the UK average of around £5.34 (The Morning Advertiser's 2026 survey), and outside London often far below it. Prices vary from pub to pub, so check the price board for what drinkers have paid recently.

The house rules

Sam Smith's pubs are known for keeping things old-fashioned. There's no music, no TVs and no fruit machines. Many pubs don't allow phones or laptops in the bar, and in 2019 the brewery was widely reported to have banned swearing in its pubs. Some pubs have been cash-only at times, so it's worth carrying a little cash.

The upside is a proper conversation pub: quiet enough to talk, with nothing on the walls trying to sell you anything.

What does “cask from the wood” mean?

A few Sam Smith's pubs serve Old Brewery Bitter from traditional wooden casks rather than metal ones. Samuel Smith's is one of very few breweries that still employs its own coopers to make and repair them. Look for the “Cask from the wood” tag on the map.

Planning a crawl

Sam Smith's pubs cluster in a few places, which makes for good crawls: Soho and Fitzrovia in London, Tadcaster (the brewery's home town), York, Leeds and Rochdale. The Taddy Trail works out walkable routes in the shortest order, or you can build your own.

Quick answers

How many Sam Smith's pubs are there?

The 1 October 2026 list has 312 Samuel Smith's pubs, of which 170 were open, across 26 counties.

Do Sam Smith's pubs sell Guinness or Coca-Cola?

No. Sam Smith's pubs only sell the brewery's own products, including its own stout, lager, cider, spirits and soft drinks.

Can I use my phone in a Sam Smith's pub?

Often not in the bar. Many Sam Smith's pubs ask customers not to use phones or laptops inside, and there's no music or TV.

Why is beer cheap in Sam Smith's pubs?

The brewery owns its pubs and makes almost everything it sells, so prices are usually well below the UK average.

Where is the Sam Smith's brewery?

Samuel Smith Old Brewery is in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, and was founded in 1758.