Byron's Bear
Byron's Bear is a riverside pub at 3 Thompson's Lane in Cambridge, reopened in spring 2025 after an extensive refurbishment of a building dating from 1850. It pours local cask ales, serves pub food inside and has a large patio garden with its own outdoor hatch for pizza and drinks.
Photos
porridge
A pub with many names
The building has traded as the George, the George & Dragon, the Spade & Beckett and the Rat & Parrot, and for over 20 years from 2004 it was La Mimosa pizza restaurant. The freehold belongs to St John's College, and it is now run by Mongoose Hospitality as a free house, untied to any brewery.
Beer and food
Five handpumps usually include two local beers, often from the Papworth and Milton breweries, and the pub holds a five-star Cask Marque rating. Indoors the menu covers burgers, basket meals, sandwiches, children's portions and Sunday roasts. Outside, the Bear Hatch serves keg beer and pizzas, and breakfast in the morning.
Why go
The patio garden by the river is the draw on a warm day, whether for breakfast from the hatch or an evening pint. Kettle's Yard and Castle Mound are both under 300 metres away, so it makes a good stop after an afternoon in that part of the city. Families do well here too, with children's portions on the menu and plenty of space outside. Sunday roasts make it a good choice for a lazy weekend lunch.
Highlights
- Riverside pub dating from 1850
- Reopened in spring 2025
- Five handpumps with local ales
- Large patio garden with the outdoor Bear Hatch
- Five-star Cask Marque rating
Good to know
- Breakfast is served from the outdoor Bear Hatch in the morning.
- Children's portions are on the menu.
- It is a free house, so the beer range is not tied to one brewery.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: camra.org.uk