The Red Lion

You'll find yourself on Stow Hill—that stretch where Newport's got actual character—pushing through the door of The Red Lion to discover exactly what a pub should be: straightforward, welcoming, and refreshingly unpretentious. It's the kind of place where regulars have their spots, the bar staff know what you're after before you ask, and nobody's trying to be clever about it. The 4.6-star rating tells you something's right here, and it's because they've nailed the fundamentals: decent drinks, honest conversation, and a space that feels lived-in rather than designed.