The Drakes Arms

You'll find The Drakes Arms tucked on Queen Street, that stretch of Exeter where locals outnumber tourists and things feel properly lived-in. Walk in and you're immediately met with the kind of pub that doesn't need gimmicks—dark wood, proper lighting that doesn't assault your eyes, and a bar where the staff actually know what they're pouring. This is the sort of place where you can have a proper conversation without shouting over tinny speakers, where the drinks list tells you someone's thought about it, and where you'll spot the same faces week after week. It's got character without trying too hard, which honestly is rarer than it should be around here.