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| Pub | Known for |
|---|---|
| The Victoria | Live music, welcoming atmosphere |
| Goddard Arms | Historic, food, High Street |
| The Roaring Donkey | Traditional back-street local |
| Longs Bar | Food, cocktails, live music |
| Old Town Laundry | Cocktail bar |
Live music and atmosphere
- The Victoria (88 Victoria Road, SN1 3BD) – One of Swindon's best-known live music venues. Welcoming atmosphere, regular bands and events. See our Victoria guide for more.
- Longs Bar – Popular venue with great food, cocktails, and live music. Part of Old Town's nightlife scene.
Historic and food-focused
- Goddard Arms – Historic pub on Old Town High Street. Serves food and offers a mix of traditional and contemporary. Well positioned for exploring Old Town.
Traditional locals
- The Roaring Donkey (6 Albert Street, SN1 3BN) – Traditional back-street pub with a 4.2 Google rating. Unpretentious, popular with regulars. A proper local.
Cocktail bars
- Old Town Laundry Bar – Cocktail bar in the heart of Old Town. Good for a different vibe to the traditional pubs.
What's your favourite pub in Old Town?
Getting there on a night out
Old Town is the hill above the shops. The Vic is on Victoria Road. The Arts Centre is on Devizes Road, at the bottom of the same hill. The station is about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, or a bus up Victoria Road or Devizes Road. Parking on the hill fills up on a Friday and Saturday. A town centre space, booked ahead, saves the lap around the one-way system.
Pre-book parking for Old Town
The Arts Centre and the pubs share the same tight streets.
Pre-book with JustParkMore food and drink in Old Town
For restaurants and cafés, see our guides to Old Town restaurants and best coffee shops. For pubs across the whole of Swindon, see best pubs in Swindon.
Getting there was checked on 14 October 2026. The pub list itself was last checked in February 2026 and has not been re-ranked. Opening hours and menus can change. Check each pub before you go.