Pubs in Perth can be divided into roughly three groups: real ale pubs, craft beer pubs, and others. This page is not about the others, except to say that they are varied, some serve meals, while some don’t, and a few have outdoor areas.

The real ale outlets at the time of writing although subject to change are:

on the way into town:

Cherrybank Inn. – on the A93 (Glasgow Road) from Broxden Roundabout (junction M90/A9) and Park & Ride (served by CityLink and local buses). Mostly laid out as a restaurant, though dining is not compulsory, but having a separate bar area with sports TV and a range of well-kept ales. There is a covered balcony and a car park. Popular with office workers from nearby.

Glover Arms - near the junction of the A9 and A85 on the way in from Crieff. Close to local bus routes. Also a restaurant, but with a separate small bar, where dogs are welcome.

and centrally:

Silvery Tay. (formerly Dickens Bar) - currently has only one changing ale on handpump, usually from Stewarts Brewery. Not far from the bus and railway stations, and close to many bus routes. Worth a visit for its architectural features.

The Bunker – recently renovated and serving one real ale. Across the road from the Silvery Tay.

The Twa Tams – a popular venue for live music from Wednesday to Saturday. A big pub with a large outside drinking area.

The Old Ship Inn - the oldest pub in Perth, which was an oasis for ale-drinkers in the bad old days of the 70’s and 80’s. It is now larger downstairs than then, with a function room for hire upstairs, and is a Greene King outlet with (usually) a house ale, another GK beer, and a guest, frequently Fyne Ales’ Jarl or Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted. The Old Ship also has one of Scotland’s foremost gin selections.

Capital Asset - a typical large Wetherspoons outlet on Tay Street beside the river.

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There are some other good places for cask ales close by Perth city and fairly easily accessible by public transport:

The Pitcairngreen Inn (with food) (bus 14/14a and 15/15A and 615 - infrequent services)

The Tipsy Coo (without food) in Bridge of Earn (buses 17, 55, 56, X56 and 65)

The Kirkstyle Inn in Dunning (bus 17), with food, and which is also within comfortable cycling range.

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In addition, there are three out-and-out craft beer pubs in the city centre, with key kegs, but no real ale:

Brewdog, Perth, small and frequently busy with BrewDog fans and people who like pizzas.

Craft Beer Bottle Shop & Beer House, which has a small bar/counter with a few taps, usually dispensing very strong beers from keykeg, as well as several fridges with bottled beers from the UK and beyond (including usually quite a good selection of German beers of various styles), and a small room with tables and a TV at the back.

Cullach Taproom, with its own beers and the occasional guest beer, all on keykeg. The Cullach is the largest of the three, with sofas and tables along one side, and wooden tables and chairs on the other. After reopening following Covid lockdown, table service and ordering via their app became standard, but there are now a few seats at the bar, where it is also possible to order without the app. The Cullach is family and dog friendly, and often busy.

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For more details check whatpub.com/CAMRA Experience or the GBG app, or the pubs’ own Facebook entries or websites for opening times.