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Alcohol is one of humanity’s oldest inventions.
Our earliest evidence of humans brewing and drinking alcohol comes from 8th Century BCE China – over 9,000 years ago.
Across the world, from China and India to Mesopotamia and Europe, we’ve brewed many different types of alcoholic drinks, and almost as old as the drinks are the places we drink in.
While most of the world has a long history of drinking establishments, Europe is the home of the pub, which comes from the Roman tradition of establishing tabernas or wine shops everywhere they went.
At the fall of the Roman Empire in the 6th Century CE, various places in Europe established their own versions of the tabernae, also known in English as the tavern, often replacing wine with more local brews such as ale in England.
Though these popped up all across Europe, the British Isles were the true home of our modern concept of the pub.
Short for “public house,” these pubs evolved mostly in Britain during the Roman occupation and subsequent Anglo-Saxon period, with roughly one pub per 200 people in 16th Century England.
Here are just some of the oldest pubs in the world.
Bar de L’Entracte, 1614 – France
Nestled in the heart of Paris, Bar de L’Entracte was founded in 1614 during the reign of Louis XIII, continuing to serve Parisians for over four centuries.
The bar originally served as a meeting place for actors and theatre-goers, giving it its name, which translates to “The Intermission”.
Surviving the French Revolution, two World Wars, and many other conflicts, the Bar de L’Entracte has shown its resilience, still transporting visitors back in time with dark wood paneling and antique mirrors.
Al Brindisi, 1435 – Italy
A true Renaissance establishment, Al Brindisi is located in Ferrara, Italy and claims to be the world’s oldest wine bar.
Dating back to the Renaissance period in 1435, the bar’s name, translated as “The Toast”, signifies it as a place of celebration.
Placed centrally during an important period, Al Brindisi is said to have had many important patrons and visitors, including famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, Titian, Benvenuto Cellini, and Ludovico Ariosto.
The bar’s interior remains relatively unchanged, keeping its vaulted ceilings and walls lined with thousands of wine bottles to bring visitors back to the Renaissance period.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, 1189 – England
Carved into the sandstone cliffs beneath Nottingham Castle, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be the oldest inn in England, although this is a hotly contested title.
Its founding date of 1189 coincides with the Third Crusade, and legend has it that Crusaders, including Richard the Lionheart, would stop here for drinks before their long journey to the Holy Land.
Part of the modern building extends into caves in the castle rock, which were once used as a brewery and are now home to various artefacts and curiosities, including a model galleon ship that is said to be cursed.
Almost inside Nottingham Castle’s walls, the pub has seen almost one thousand years of British history, bearing witness to conflicts such as the English Civil War and the Wars of the Roses.
With low ceilings, uneven floors, and a warren of small rooms, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem continues to be a popular attraction as a time capsule back to 1189, allowing visitors to drink at the same spot knights and crusaders may have over 800 years ago.
Visit Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Zum Riesen, 1150 – Germany
In the tiny town of Miltenberg, Bavaria is Germany’s oldest Inn – Zum Riesen.
Its history has been reliably traced back to at least 1150, though some sources suggest it may be even older.
Roughly translating to “To the Giant,” the pub’s name may refer to a legendary figure from local folklore, though no one knows for sure.
While the current building that stands was constructed in 1590, the Zum Riesen pub and hotel has served many notable guests between 1150 and now, including Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Emperor Charles VI, amongst many others.
Still boasting timber frames and a gothic design, the inn maintains its classic medieval German architecture with structures and beams now many hundreds of years old.
Despite its age, Zum Riesen continues to function as both an inn and a restaurant, offering traditional Franconian cuisine alongside local beers and wines.
Bingley Arms, 953 – England
One of several pubs claiming to be the oldest in Britain, The Bingley Arms located in Bardsey, Leeds, has a history dating back to 953.
Originally known as The Priests Inn, it once served as a rest house for travelling clergy and monks and is now open to all who wish to drink there.
Its location on an old Roman road between York and Ilkley makes it a sensible spot for an inn house or pub throughout the ages, being a key waypoint for travelers on the road.
In the 11th Century it was used by local monks to brew beer, and later during the English Reformation it was reportedly used as a safe house for Catholic priests – as shown by the surviving “priest holes” you can still see in the pub.
Despite undergoing many restorations over the years, the Bingley Arms retains many of its original features, including an inglenook fireplace with a priest hole and a medieval wall painting.
Even more fascinating – its beer garden features two yew trees that are said to be over 1,000 years old, possibly predating even the pub itself.
Sean’s Bar, 900 – Ireland
Found in Athlone, Ireland, Sean’s Bar holds the Guinness World Record for being Ireland’s oldest pub, with a history dating back to 900.
A foundation date this old makes the pub a contender for one of the world’s oldest, and this was only just recently discovered. In 1970, a series of building renovations revealed ancient coins minted by various landlords, confirming its age.
Once again a key waypoint for travelers, the bar’s location on the banks of the River Shannon at a historic ford made it a perfect resting place for those looking to cross the nearby river.
Today, Sean’s Bar maintains much of its historic character. With sawdust-strewn floors and a peat fire burning in the hearth, the walls are adorned with historical artefacts and old photographs, creating a living museum of Irish pub culture.
The Old Ferry Boat Inn, 560 – England
Found in Holywell, Cambridgeshire, the Old Ferry Boat Inn is another English pub claiming to be the country’s oldest – and if its history is accurate it it might well be.
The pub’s history reportedly goes back to 560, with the inn’s location on the banks of the River Great Ouse, making it a natural stopping point for travelers using the river ferry.
The pub is also allegedly haunted by the ghost of Juliet Tewsley, a girl who hung herself there in 1050 – guests and staff alike are advised not to walk over the stone-slab grave inside the pub.
While the site may be home to one of the oldest pubs in England, the current building dates from the 17th century, likely built atop the original Anglo-Saxon alehouse.
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