
Quick info
About Lion & Snake
Lion & Snake is a pub at 79 Bailgate in Lincoln, said to be the oldest in the city at around 600 years old and close to the cathedral. The kitchen serves burgers, with cheesy garlic bread among the snacks, and the taps pour a wide choice of ales. Live bands play here, including outdoors. Groups can hire space in several forms: a function house holds up to 70 people, a private room in the restaurant is sectioned off by a sliding door and holds up to 40, and a gazebo can be hired for events. Dog owners can bring their pets along. A queue at the bar is common at peak times. A Christmas menu offers a two-course meal, with crackers on the tables.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom, seating
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live band events, burgers, function room hire and real ales on tap.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live band events, burgers, function room hire and real ales on tap.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the friendly, hard-working staff, who keep service moving even when the pub is packed. One describes a server tidying a board game left across the floor while still serving. Burgers get a specific mention for the food, along with chips, onion rings and cheesy garlic bread, and one diner enjoyed a two course Christmas menu with a decorated table and crackers. Several mention the live bands, including a regular August bank holiday double band day, and others praise the ales and tap beers and the reasonable prices. Reviewers also describe hiring the gazebo and function rooms for an event and finding the team kind and helpful. The main complaint is pace: one reviewer waited a little for food during the steampunk festival crowds, and another found service slow because of a system issue before it improved. One visitor even got a table without a booking on that busy festival day.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the friendly, hard-working staff, who keep service moving even when the pub is packed. One describes a server tidying a board game left across the floor while still serving. Burgers get a specific mention for the food, along with chips, onion rings and cheesy garlic bread, and one diner enjoyed a two course Christmas menu with a decorated table and crackers. Several mention the live bands, including a regular August bank holiday double band day, and others praise the ales and tap beers and the reasonable prices. Reviewers also describe hiring the gazebo and function rooms for an event and finding the team kind and helpful. The main complaint is pace: one reviewer waited a little for food during the steampunk festival crowds, and another found service slow because of a system issue before it improved. One visitor even got a table without a booking on that busy festival day.
Featured reviews
- Julie Bell
“Popped in for drinks. Lovely friendly pub. Reasonable prices. Next time really want you try their food.”
- deborah brookes
“We used the venue for an event. Rebecca and her team were absolutely brilliant. They couldn't have been kinder or more helpful. We hired their gazebo and they also have function rooms to hire. We would highly recommend the pub and the team for anyone looking for a suitable party or event venue. Thank you to everyone for making us feel welcome and for all your help. Warmest regards Deborah and Dave”
- Abi Doe
“Had a really lovely time. Its an exciting atmosphere with the day I visited a live band playing outside. The staff were really nice especially Chris (or little chris with blonde hair as I was told there is two chris hahaha) who served me it was lovely drink ans service. Will definitely visit again and recommend for friends”
- Mark Field
“Serve some great food (especially the burgers) and on the tap beers. Staff and management are always friendly and manage the busy times really well. Especially enjoy the music / band events, top local bands. Especially enjoyed the now regular August bank holiday weekend double band day. Our most regular pub nowadays.”
- Yasmin Bates
“Pub is great, lovely atmosphere with great music. Very busy but all staff working very hard to make sure everyone is served quickly. Food was amazing and Josh and Rebecca were especially good. Josh even picked up the board games that two young boys had left sprawled across the floor as well as serving, clearing and still keeping happy and smiling. Rebecca was great too even getting our drinks for us as my husband was in a big queue as our dinner was served. Both of these made our evening so much better. All the staff are very good at their jobs.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Our function house holds up to 70 people and includes a large sectioned off area in our beer garden. • May to September - £150. • October to April - £75 • Christenings / Baby Showers - £50 (to finish before 5:30pm) Private Room in Restaurant Our private area is sectioned off by a large sliding door and can hold up to 40 people.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Trivia night
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Casual
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Offerings· 5
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Highlights· 5
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Trivia night
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 1
- Trendy
- Crowd· 4
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Location
Bars near Lion & Snake
- Prince of Wales4.51,3350 mi£10–40ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
bottomless brunch, cocktails, pizza
- Magna Carta4.42,9540.1 mi£15–30
outdoor seating with cathedral views, draught beers and ales, busker playing guitar
- Wig & Mitre4.31,3460.1 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kidsWi-Fi
fish finger sandwich, sunday roast potatoes, beef & ale pie
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion & SnakeReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.21,821 | — | — | live band events, burgers, function room hire |
| Prince of WalesReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.51,335 | 0 mi | £10–40 | bottomless brunch, cocktails, pizza |
| Magna Carta | 4.42,954 | 0.1 mi | £15–30 | outdoor seating with cathedral views, draught beers and ales, busker playing guitar |
| Wig & MitreReservations · Good for kids · Wi-Fi | 4.31,346 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | fish finger sandwich, sunday roast potatoes, beef & ale pie |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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