The Strand

Right on Cheltenham's High Street, The Strand is a pub that manages to hit both ends of the spectrum… easy daytime stop and lively night-out base, all under one roof. Dogs are welcome inside and in the beer garden, so nobody needs to do the pavement-waiting shuffle while the group decides whether it's one drink or several.

Inside, there's a strong craft beer heartbeat running through the place, with a rotating lineup of taps pouring everything from cask ales to hazy IPAs and local favourites. Cocktails, wines and spirits all get a look in too, and food keeps things grounded in proper pub territory, with British classics given a modern touch and enough variety to cover light bites through to full meals. The Sunday roast tends to draw a crowd, and there's a big south-facing beer garden that quietly becomes the star of the show when the weather behaves.

It's lively without being overwhelming, social without being forced, and the kind of place where quiz nights, live sport and regular events mean something's always going on. Expect treats at the bar, plenty of fuss, and the usual under-table snack monitoring as part of the cosy chaos.