Exeter pub named among UK's top 10 venues for live music

An Exeter venue has been named as one of the best pubs in Britain for live music, according to a new national ranking.

Browns Exeter has secured a spot in a top ten list compiled by the pub-discovery website and app Eat Drink Meet.

The venue was selected from thousands of pubs across England and Scotland. According to the platform, the final shortlist was determined by a combination of customer reviews, the frequency of performances, venue popularity, and editorial recommendations.

While the list features iconic venues from Liverpool’s historic docks to London’s West End, Browns Exeter was highlighted specifically for its "intimate and relaxed" atmosphere.

The ranking notes that the venue has become a key destination for fans of live jazz and contemporary sounds. According to the Eat Drink Meet data:

• Saturday sessions: Live music runs from 7pm to 9pm. 

• Sunday sessions: Afternoon performances take place between 1pm and 4pm. 

The platform's researchers highlighted the venue's use of a grand piano as a "centre stage" feature, noted for filling the room with "beautifully played melodies" that cater to both diners and those just dropping in for a drink.

The inclusion of an Exeter venue alongside famous musical landmarks, such as O’Neills on Wardour Street, which has hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones and David Bowie, underlines the strength of the city's local music scene heading into the spring of 2026.

Eat Drink Meet suggests that the Exeter pub stands out for its "walk-in" culture, noting that there is no requirement for music lovers to book in advance to catch the weekend sets.

Other venues making the top ten include The Albany in Surrey, The Flannigan's Apple in Liverpool, and the Rose Street Brewery in Edinburgh.