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what pubs are open christmas day

Most big chains don’t publish a global “all our pubs are open on Christmas Day” list, and opening hours vary a lot by location, so there’s no single definitive answer for every area.

Key things to know

  • Many independent pubs now stay closed on Christmas Day so staff can be with family, especially outside city centres.
  • Where pubs are open, it’s often for:
    • A set Christmas lunch sitting (pre‑booking only).
* Short “drinks only” hours around lunchtime (for locals).
  • In city centres and tourist areas, hotel bars and some bar‑restaurant chains are more likely to open than traditional locals.

How to quickly find pubs open near you

  1. Search “[your town] pubs Christmas Day 2025”
    • Local news and “what’s on” sites often publish round‑ups of places open on Christmas Day, with hours and booking info.
  1. Check big bar/restaurant chains’ websites
    • Many chains (for example bar‑grill or casual dining brands) list which locations are open on 25 December and what hours they keep.
  1. Look at Google Maps + Facebook pages
    • Most pubs update their Christmas opening hours on their Google Business profile and on Facebook or Instagram in the week before Christmas.
  1. Call the pub directly
    • Even when a chain says “many locations open,” it usually adds “hours vary, call ahead,” so phoning is the only reliable confirmation.

Typical patterns (what to expect)

  • City‑centre hotel bars
    • Often open all day for guests and sometimes walk‑ins, with a special menu and higher prices.
  • Food‑led pubs / gastropubs
    • Frequently open only for pre‑booked Christmas lunch, then close mid‑afternoon.
  • Neighbourhood locals
    • Either closed all day or open for a very short lunchtime session (for example 12:00–14:00), sometimes advertised only on a chalkboard or Facebook.
  • Late‑night / clubby bars
    • Much more likely to open Christmas Eve and Boxing Day rather than Christmas night itself.

Quick HTML table: what to try

Here’s a simple guide for how and where to look, formatted as requested:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Where to check</th>
      <th>What you’ll find</th>
      <th>Why it helps</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Local news &amp; “what’s on” sites</td>
      <td>Lists of pubs/restaurants open Christmas Day, often with hours and booking links. [web:1][web:5]</td>
      <td>Fast way to see several options in your area at once.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Pub websites &amp; social pages</td>
      <td>Christmas opening hours, set‑menu details, “drinks only” notes. [web:2][web:6]</td>
      <td>Most accurate for that specific pub on 25 December.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hotel bars and chains</td>
      <td>Holiday hours and whether they serve non‑guests on Christmas Day. [web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>Higher chance of being open if traditional pubs are shut.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Phone the bar</td>
      <td>Confirmation of exact opening times and whether you need to book. [web:3]</td>
      <td>Best way to avoid turning up and finding the doors closed.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: There’s no universal list of exactly which pubs are open on Christmas Day; it changes by town and even by year.

Check local round‑ups, pub socials, and chain/hotel sites for your specific area, then confirm by phone before you head out.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.