Kmflett's Blog

Beard Liberation Front

15th January 2026

Contact BLF Organiser Keith Flett 07803 167266

Cardiff and Crewe Bars jointly named the most Beard Friendly Bars of the Year

The vote for the Beard Friendly Pub of the Year 2026 has concluded with Pop’n’Hops in Cardiff and Tom’s Tap & Brew in Crewe being declared joint winners.

The highest placed London bar was the Shirkers Rest in South London.

The campaigners say that for some years London pubs won the annual vote with some bars and pubs outside of the Capital deemed less friendly to the hirsute. In recent years things have changed and beard wearers can be found in most licensed premises.

The focus has broadened to the bar, pub, tap and bottle shop that is most welcoming to a diverse range of drinkers with a friendly environment.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, both Pop’n’Hops and Tom’s Tap are independently owned and it’s good to see the recognition in the vote that such places are at the centre of local communities welcoming to all including of course beard wearers!

Beard Friendly Pubs of the Year

Cock Tavern, Hackney

Burton Bridge Inn, Burton

Pop’n’Hops, Cardiff

Shirkers Rest, South London

The Pocket, Islington

Tom’s Tap, Crewe

Pressure Drop Tap, Tottenham

Kings Head, Bristol

Notes

Beard Friendly Pub of the Year refocused for 2026

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the annual Beard Friendly Pub of the Year has been refocused for 2026.

Key Points

1 The vote remains about encouraging people to visit their local pub, bar or tap during January. While it notes Dry January, there are in 2026 plenty of low and no alcohol options available.

2 While the focus is on beards, in 2026 most pubs and bars at least tolerate beards. We aim to find hostelries that are welcoming to all, providing a friendly, ‘pub is the hub’ environment or what Donald Trump would call ‘Woke’

3 There will be no vote on Twitter. The platform is not a suitable location for the Beard Friendly Pub of the Year vote. People will be asked to respond on Blue Sky and Facebook