Elm Tree

Great, and eccentric, local pub with a huge selection of Belgian beers. Staff are friendly and the atmosphere is informal. Very different to most other places you’ll experience.

The single best pub I have ever found. Beats anything in London, Dublin, or elsewhere. Incredible history and atmosphere and a fantastic beer list. The crowd is certainly eclectic, but very friendly. I cannot wait to return here.

I have only drunk here.
It’s one of those places that has an almost cult following. Clearly frequented by social inept/​inebriated undergrads.
My drink was warm cider — it got me pissed.
The service — was awful in a really funny way (perhaps this is due to the alcohol content of the cider)?
It’s one of those pubs, it’s providing a social service. Not that i’m sure of what that service is.

My husband and I visited more than once during our stay in Cambridge because of friendly bartender who remembered us and was very knowledgeable about beer. (Plus, it was a convenient location to our lodging.)
The pub had an impressive, varied selection of Belgians in bottles, and the bartender could recommend specifics based on my taste for sour Belgians. In addition, this is one of the few pubs to advertise an opportunity for flights (not just samples) called «Three for Thirds,» three of our choice of what’s on draft in cask-​conditioned ales for 6 pence.
We’ve been here when it just opens and it’s a bit quiet with just a few friendly locals, as well as at night when the small space is packed but cozy. Keep in mind there isn’t food, but you can get some at neighboring pubs.

Our favorite place in Cambridge for getting Belgian beers and MEAD finally…:) Cool crowd and very clean bathrooms too. I wish we had this pub next door.

This was my favourite spot in Cambridge! The list of beers on the menu was great! You could order a sample of three for about 6 pounds which was a great way to try some new beers.
I loved the décor! Hats hung from the ceiling and all around we’re quirky pictures and ornaments. Clearly a hang out for magicians — and I mean that in the best possible way!

This is a proper local pub. Some might argue it’s a bit bric-​à-​brac but I like it and more important it has a huge selection of real Ales and Bitters.

Good selection of real ales and bottled Belgian beers.
Check it out!!!

Great pub. I think the students like this place. Amazinging good selection of real ales. Staff is brilliant.

Old school pub with a new school feel and an extensive selection of unique and quality cask ales.
In other words, my dream pub.

ok so, i met 2 amazing people who work here and had a great night so obviously im going to give it 5 stars, atmosphere is great, knowledgeable staff, excellent burgers, great location slightly off the beaten path

My experience is some good ale drafts, lots of bottled beers, knowledgable staff, fairly empty on a weekday, and outdoor seating (no special view, but fresh air :) I didn’t realize they don’t have food, so be aware! But great if you fancy a good beer and variety.

Phenomenal beer selection; excellent British pub ambiance. The staff is friendly and will talk you through your beer preferences and help you sample beers until you find the right selection. I greatly regret not discovering this place until my last few days in the UK. I would have become a regular, even though this pub was not convenient either to my college or my department.

Slightly down at heel pub, a must stop-​off though for ale fans.

i spent a wonderful day in cambridge earlier in the month that culminated with early evening beers at the outside picnic tables. totally relaxing. great ending to a great day.

Extensive selection of bottled Begian Beers makes for some interesting choices. Relaxed atmosphere.

A very nice, cosy pub, off the beaten track, but a short hop from two other pubs — the Free Press (also recommended) and the Cricketer (sports TV). This is definitely not touristy Cambridge, which in one way is a pity, because it’s much a nicer pub than many that tourists visit in the centre.
The interior is very traditional — lots of dark wood — with a single long room. On a freezing winter’s night, it was cosily warm, and the staff were very welcoming and helpful. Clientele seemed a very mixed bunch of locals and students and some (very polite and chatty) heavy-​metal fans. A nice touch was the lack of piped music.
The main draw is the choice of up to 10 real ales, with some really interesting choices, include a locally-​produced ale if you want to keep your food miles down.
Food is more limited, with the usual snacks, plus a platter (£5) of either mixed gourmet Swiss and Dutch cheeses, or cheese and sausages, both served with horseradish and pickles, but (oddly) not bread.
Overall, a nice pub with a great beer choice.

The Elm Tree is a must visit for any keen ale fan. It boasts 10 different real ales, something few other small pubs can match.
However the pub has recently lost some of its enchanting atmosphere due to the customers takings on a more punk form and somewhat detracts from the once charming ambience. Despite this it is still worth popping a head round the door to see what you think.

When I worked for a company of text message experts that answered whatever question you had, we often had our own questions for ourselves.
Q: «Which pub in Cambridge has outdoor seats that get the sun for the longest on a summer evening?»
And what a wonderful question it was — taking in maps, local knowledge, astronomy and architectural planning to find the answer. No doubt you’ve already worked out that the winner is The Elm Tree, but for us it was a stunning surprise as it’s the awesome town pub right opposite our text nerd headquarters. We were sitting on a pot of gold defined by the west-​facing alleyway.
But is 5 stars justified just for beer garden sunshine at 9pm? Not quite… but the Elm Tree is amazing on so many other fronts. A wide selection of Belgian beers with their glasses, superb local real ales, barrels of cider, pork scratchings made by the local butcher, jazz music and a library of books. Plus secret genius bar staff and a great sense of humour.
Like the sign says…
Great beers
No Food
Angry Barmen
(i think they’re joking)

Staggering array of Belgium bieres! Warm, spacious setting and great décor (unopened beer bottles line the walls). Unfortunately no food services (yet?) or wireless, as someone mentioned to me. Lovely barmaiden and good tunes.