28 countries · 340 pubs checked

The oldest pub in each country

Every country has a pub that says it is the oldest. Far fewer have one that can show a document from the year on the sign. Here both answers sit side by side: the oldest claim, and the oldest proof. In 16 of these 28 countries they are not the same pub. Asked of everywhere at once, the question has the same two answers: the oldest pub in the world, by claim and by record.

Another 3 countries have too few checked pubs for a page of their own; they are named at the foot of this page, and their pubs are on the map, in the Top 100 and in search.

World map marking the pub with the oldest claim in each of 28 countries

Coastlines: Natural Earth · Pub locations ©OpenStreetMap contributorsNatural Earth · ©OpenStreetMap contributors

Country by country, oldest claim first

  1. United Kingdom150 checkedClaimThe Old Ferry Boat Innsays AD 560Grade CProofThe Royal Oakrecorded 1430Grade C
  2. Austria5 checkedClaimSt. Peter Stiftskulinariumsays AD 803Grade CProofGriechenbeislrecorded 1447Grade B
  3. Ireland19 checkedClaimSean's Barsays AD 900Grade CProofKyteler's Innrecorded as an inn from 1639Grade B
  4. Germany12 checkedClaimKlosterschenke Weltenburgsays 1050Grade CProofGasthaus Zum Rieseninnkeeper named in a court record of 1411Grade C
  5. Jersey3 checkedClaimMoulin de Lecqsays 1100Grade CProofNothing documented from a claimed date yet
  6. Belgium5 checkedClaimCafé Den Turksays 1228Grade CProofCafé Vlissinghetavern first recorded 1515Grade A
  7. Switzerland3 checkedClaimTaverne zur Kronesays 1259Grade AProofTaverne zur Kronerecorded 1259Grade A
  8. Czechia5 checkedClaimJaškovská krčmasays 1268Grade AProofU Medvídkůhouse recorded 1404, brewery 1466Grade A
  9. Poland4 checkedClaimPiwnica Świdnickasays 1273Grade CProofGospoda Pod Modrym Fartuchemrecorded 1489Grade A
  10. Netherlands11 checkedClaimIn den Ouden Vogelstruyssays 1309Grade CProofDe Drie Fleschjesdrinking house on the site by 1618Grade A
  11. Italy4 checkedClaimAl Brindisisays 1435Grade CProofCantina Do Spaderecorded 1448Grade A
  12. Denmark3 checkedClaimWeis' Stuesays 1600Grade BProofWeis' Stuerecorded 1830Grade B
  13. United States30 checkedClaimThe '76 Housesays 1668Grade CProofWhite Horse Taverntavern licence recorded 1687Grade B
  14. Spain5 checkedClaimEl Rinconcillosays 1670Grade CProofTaberna Antonio Sánchezrecorded 1787Grade A
  15. France3 checkedClaimLe Procopesays 1686Grade AProofLe Procoperecorded 1686Grade A
  16. Hungary3 checkedClaimHortobágyi Nagycsárdasays 1699Grade AProofHortobágyi Nagycsárdarecorded 1699Grade A
  17. Malta3 checkedClaimGleneagles Barsays 1732Grade CProofNothing documented from a claimed date yet
  18. Canada7 checkedClaimThe Split Crowsays 1749Grade CProofThe Mansion Houserecorded 1826Grade C
  19. Australia28 checkedClaimWoolpack Hotelsays 1796Grade CProofMacquarie Arms Hotellicensed 1815Grade A
  20. South Africa3 checkedClaimPerseverance Tavernsays 1808Grade BProofPerseverance Tavernrecorded 1836Grade B
  21. Serbia3 checkedClaimKafana Znak Pitanjasays 1823Grade AProofKafana Znak Pitanjarecorded 1826Grade A
  22. New Zealand8 checkedClaimDuke of Marlborough Hotelsays 1827Grade CProofThistle Innrecorded 1840Grade A
  23. Portugal3 checkedClaimCervejaria Trindadesays 1836Grade CProofNothing documented from a claimed date yet
  24. Argentina3 checkedClaimBar El Federalsays 1864Grade BProofNothing documented from a claimed date yet
  25. Mexico3 checkedClaimBar La Óperasays 1876Grade CProofHussong's Cantinarecorded 1892Grade A
  26. Chile3 checkedClaimConfitería Torressays 1879Grade CProofLa Piojerarecorded 1916Grade A
  27. Japan3 checkedClaimKamiya Barsays 1880Grade BProofKamiya Barrecorded 1912Grade B
  28. Peru3 checkedClaimAntigua Taberna Queirolosays 1880Grade CProofNothing documented from a claimed date yet

Inside the United Kingdom and Ireland

Countries we are still working on

We have researched pubs in Guernsey, Isle of Man, Singapore but not yet enough of them, or not with enough evidence, to write a page worth reading. A country appears above once at least three of its pubs have coordinates, two sources and a confirmed trading status.

Tell us about an old pub we have missed and it goes into the research queue.