The 2026 edition highlights 35 pubs spanning London, the North West, Scotland, Wales and regions across England.
Guinness said venues were selected based on five criteria: quality pours, welcoming atmosphere, strong community, great service and a genuine love of Guinness.
Selected venues receive an official brass Guinness harp plaque to display on site.
The brewer said the Guide aims to spotlight pubs that act as neighbourhood pillars, reflecting history, connection and the enduring role of the pub in UK culture.
Head of Guinness at Diageo GB Nicholas Payman said: “As a brand rooted in the quality and craft behind every pint, we’re proud to introduce the very first Guinness Harp Guide. By shining a light on these exceptional venues, we want to recognise pubs and help to drive footfall throughout the year, as well as giving our drinkers advice on where they can find a perfect pint of Guinness.”
The launch comes as interest in Guinness serve quality continues to grow across the trade. Operators have recently reported mixed reactions to emerging pint trends, including the lower strength “60/40″ serve combining Guinness and Guinness 0.0, which some pubs say is attracting moderation focused drinkers.
Well known sites on the list include The Devonshire and The Audley Public House in London, Mulligans in Manchester, Kitty O’Shea’s in Glasgow, The Star in Bristol and Pogue Mahone in Liverpool.
Mulligans owner Pádraig Brady commented: “Being recognised in the inaugural Guinness Harp Guide is a real privilege. It’s no secret that every pub gets the same kegs of Guinness delivered, but what makes the difference is everything that happens after that. The right equipment, correct cellar procedures and conditions, staff who know how to pour it perfectly, the atmosphere, the daily live music - it all matters. We’ve always focused on doing things consistently, and being the sole Manchester city centre pub in the guide is testament to that consistency”.
The full list
London
- The Devonshire
- The Coach and Horses
- Bricklayers Arms
- The Auld Shillelagh
- Skehans Freehouse
- The Audley Public House
- The Toucan
- Mc and Sons
- The Fox and Pheasant
North West
- Mulligans, Manchester
- Kennedy’s, Didsbury
- The Station, Didsbury
- Pogue Mahone, Liverpool
- The Monro, Liverpool
- Shenanigans, Liverpool
Scotland
- Malones, Edinburgh
- Kitty O’Sheas, Glasgow
- Jinty McGuintys, Glasgow
Rest of England and Wales
- The Beckford Arms, Salisbury
- The Star, Bristol
- Queens Vaults, Cardiff
- Free Press, Cambridge
- The Fat Cat, Norwich
- The Boot, St Albans
- The Centurion, Newcastle
- Barluga, Newcastle
- Sheepfolds, Sunderland
- The Fiddlers Elbow, Brighton
- The Lion and Lobster, Brighton
- Whitelocks Ale House, Leeds
- Dog and Partridge, Sheffield
- The Grapes, Sheffield
- Hearsall Inn, Coventry
- The Guinness Arms, Bury St Edmunds
- Elvenden Inn, Thetford
Guinness confirmed that from 2026 consumers will be able to nominate pubs for inclusion in the 2027 Harp Guide.
The launch of the Harp Guide follows a period of heightened activity for the brand across the UK pub and bar market. Guinness is preparing to open its new Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden later this week (11 December), a 54,000 square foot microbrewery and visitor venue that will feature limited edition brews, tasting rooms and two restaurants.
The list comes after Guinness confirmed supplies will remain uninterrupted in the run-up to Christmas, despite brewery strike action.
