Colchester is home to some of the best student pubs in Essex, providing great atmospheres and reasonably priced drinks.
This list is designed to help you find the ultimate pub for any situation, whether it be enjoying a nice Sunday lunch, needing a new space for a study afternoon, or starting the night off with a few drinks before venturing out. We’ll also highlight the pubs that provide more unique offerings, such as real ale, craft beers, or live music.
These pubs are easy to get to, all within good distance of the University of Essex campus and Avon Way House, our Colchester student accommodation. Students should also be aware that this list is not exhaustive, and there are many more pubs available across Colchester and Essex for you to enjoy!
1. The Victoria Inn (4.6 Stars on Google)
A self-described ‘proper pub’, The Victoria Inn offers a host of fantastic drinks in a cosy pub environment.
The Victoria Inn frequently hosts guest ales, making it one of the premium real ale spots in Colchester. You’ll also find real ciders and craft beers regularly making the rounds, so you’ll be spoilt for choice on a night out.
It also has regular free gigs throughout the year, with locals like Hobo Chang and Rodney Branigan grazing the stage.
This pub also takes part in and organises events like easter egg hunts, and is a part of the 2023 Colchester and North East Essex CAMRA Ale Trail!
Plus, this pub is an easy 7 minute walk from Central Colchester Bus Station.
Opening Times
- Monday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Wednesday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Thursday: 2 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 2 pm – 11 pm
2. The New Inn (4.5 Stars on Google)
Another great pub in central Colchester, The New Inn boasts fantastic real ales and delicious home made food, perfect for a Sunday roast with your classmates! You’ll find some generous offers on their menu too, helping the budget-minded student save a few pennies on lunch.
The New Inn also has a beautiful partially roofed beer garden, which is more than large enough for you and your friends to enjoy a few drinks on a sunny summer afternoon.
Don’t forget about their function room either! This space is perfect for events like birthdays and graduation parties.
The New Inn is a 9-minute walk from the bus station, and is the ideal space for that ultimate mid-week chill.
Opening Times
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Wednesday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
3. The Magnet Pub (4.6 Stars on Google)
Proud to be Colchester’s first micropub, and named after the Colchestrian William Gilbert, The Magnet is naturally all about serving Colchester’s finest, whether it be local beers, wines or spirits. For the student avoiding alcohol, they also offer a range of soft drinks, teas, and coffees, to keep you energised while you enjoy this relaxed environment.
If you happen to be a pet-owning student, or just love dogs in general (and who doesn’t?!), The Magnet is also completely dog-friendly, as long as they are well-behaved, so you’ll be sure to see some canine friends around from time to time!
It is worth being aware of The Magnet’s opening times, which are as follows:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Wednesday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Thursday: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm
The Magnet Pub is a slightly further 20 minute walk from the Colchester Central bus station, but we guarantee the unique experience it offers is worth the trip!
4. Church Street Tavern (4.5 Stars on Google)
The Church Street tavern is a beautiful pub/bar that boasts a casual vibe, providing an excellent place for the budding student to relax with some coursework and chat with friends.
This pub/bar offers drinks to see you through the whole day, from coffees in the morning, soft drinks in the afternoon, and craft beers and cocktails in the evening.
Food is available during the day, with differing menus throughout the week, including Sunday roast menus, midweek set menus, and restaurant and bar menus.
Wine-loving students will also enjoy the Wednesday Wine Club, and budget-savvy students may enjoy the Happy Hours between Wednesday and Friday, 4pm until 7pm, where the cocktails are flowing!
The Church Street Tavern is a 7-minute walk away from the Colchester Bus Station, ideal for a nice sit down outside with a drink after a busy day!
Opening Times
- Monday: CLOSED
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 10:30 – 23:00
- Thursday: 10:30 – 23:00
- Friday: 10:30 – 00:00
- Saturday: 10:30 – 00:00
- Sunday: 10:30 – 17:00
5. Fat Cat (4.5 Stars on Google)
The Fat Cat is a local favourite, and offers a wide selection of ales, wines, spirits and food. The friendly staff provide a warm greeting from the door, with a friendly atmosphere.
The pub hosts a range of event nights, from pub quizzes to games nights. They also enjoy frequent live music, and provide a space for you and your friends to enjoy sporting events like the Six Nations.
Fantastic food deals available for students looking to eat out while saving some money. These include Beer and Burger afternoons and pizza nights, alongside their already competitively priced food menu that a lot of students will love.
From the Colchester Bus Station, you can get to the Fat Cat in only 9 minutes, making it a great place to stop for that beer and burger on a relaxed Saturday in town.
Opening Times
- Monday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Tuesday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Wednesday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 10 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm
6. The Odd One Out (4.7 Stars on Google)
The Odd One Out is a friendly pub in central Colchester, that provides everything a student could need for a great evening out.
As lovers of live music, the Odd One Out regularly has live music playing for all to enjoy. Once the music’s over, they boast a quiet ‘secret’ beer garden, which provides a chilled spot to sit with one of their many real ales and other guest beers.
The pub also has real open fires and wood burners as well, making for a truly cosy place to unwind in the winter months.
The Odd One Out is a 6 minute walk from the Colchester Bus Station.
Opening Times
- Monday: 4 pm – 7 pm
- Tuesday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Wednesday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Thursday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 1 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 2 pm – 9 pm
7. Other Monkey Brewing – The Taproom (4.4 Stars on Google)
Other Monkey Brewing is a sleek and modern pub/taproom in the heart of Colchester, and provides a number of fun food nights and activities for students to enjoy during the week.
Come to the Taproom to enjoy some pale ale brewed by Other Monkey Brewing, right here in Colchester! Alongside their locally adored pale ale, they offer a range of other beers, ales and more, to be enjoyed with some of the best food in Colchester.
One of the highlights of Other Monkey Brewing – The Taproom, is their amazing food selection, which features burgers and bao buns, with options available for vegans and vegetarians as well. They also offer some delightful sides and desserts, as well as Sunday Roasts every single week.
Students will be pleased to know that they can download the Monkey App and collect loyalty points on every order. The app is available through both the App Store and Google Play store.
Other Monkey Brewing – The Taproom, is only a 5 minute walk away from the Colchester Bus Station. Perfect for that mid-week bao! Don’t forget to buy some merch while you’re there!
- Monday: 5 pm – 11 am
- Tuesday: 5 pm – 11 am
- Wednesday: 5 pm – 11 am
- Thursday: 5 pm – 11 am
- Friday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 am
8. The Centurion (4.3 Stars on Google)
The Centurion is a favourite in Colchester for live sports and events throughout the year.
It hosts viewing parties and shows live sports from the Premier League, Champions League, Scottish Premiership, as well as Rugby and F1 fixtures.
Drinks are flowing at The Centurions, with beers, ales, spirits and wines available. Food is also available all week too, alongside great events like the Bottomless Brunch and Crafternoon Tea, which are perfect for a special day out with friends. When at the Centurion, make sure to sign up to the app too, which will allow you to order food and drink and pay online, so you never have to leave your table!
Student offers are available at all pubs like The Centurion that work with the UniCrew. The UniCrew only requires a simple sign up, and discounts and offers will come available to use at the Centurion. Please be aware that when you sign up you should do so using your ‘.ac.uk’ email address.
So get some bottomless brunch in or an afternoon of sports at The Centurion, only 8 minutes on foot from the Colchester Central Bus Station.
- Monday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Tuesday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Wednesday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Thursday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Friday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 1 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 12 am
9. The Bull Hotel (4.3 Stars on Google)
The Bull Hotel is a pub whose goal is to bring one thing to Colchester: great music.
Each week, the pub hosts different musicians, live bands, and DJ sets in each of its two different bars.
Good food and drink are also readily available for customers, and the pub boasts a brilliant atmosphere, perfect for students.
If you’d like to get some great local music in, the Bull Hotel is a casual 5 minute walk from the Colchester Bus Station.
- Monday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Tuesday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Wednesday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Thursday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Friday: 12 pm – 2 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 4 pm – 12 am
10. Purple Dog (4.3 Stars on Google)
The Purple Dog is one of the older pubs in Colchester, and placed perfectly in the town centre for easy access.
The Purple Dog is proud to offer great pub grub alongside an award-winning selection of ales, lagers and wines. The pub is very dog-friendly, helping to build on its already vibrant and wonderful atmosphere.
They offer a great range of meals, from loaded fries to burgers and all day breakfasts to delicious lasagna. Of course, there are a host of vegan and vegetarian options too. All are welcome!
If you’d like to visit the Purple Dog, with or without your own furry friend, it’s a quick 2 minute walk away from Colchester Central Bus Station.
- Monday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Tuesday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Wednesday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Friday: 10 am – 1 am
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Learn more about Colchester’s nightlife
If you want to learn more about the wide range of pubs and other nightlife that Colchester has to offer, consider reading our Colchester Nightlife, Living In Colchester, and Best Places To Eat In Colchester blogs. If you’re looking to save a few pennies during your time at the University of Essex, you should also consider our Student Guide on Colchester Living Costs.
Student Accommodation in Colchester
Are you moving to Colchester for University? Or looking for a place to live in your second and third years? Consider booking a room with our team at Beyond The Box Student. We offer a range of student apartments, from studio to 6-bed, to give you the best possible choice of living quarters. Avon Way House also has a Student Hub for relaxing, and a bus shelter right across the road, so you can get out to enjoy each of these pubs with ease.
Get in touch today or view our selection of available rooms today, and start your Colchester experience off with Beyond The Box Student.