The Orchard Craft Beer Bar, Preston - Market Hall’s Cosy Craft Beer Gem

Tucked into a corner of Preston’s historic Market Hall, The Orchard Craft Beer Bar has been a favourite among local beer lovers since it opened in early March 2018. As the sister venue to the pioneering Guild Ale House, The Orchard brings the same commitment to quality and community, but with its own distinctive character—a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired space built into the framework of the Grade II listed market.

A Sister Venue with Its Own Identity

The Orchard was opened by the same team behind the Guild Ale House, which had already made its mark as Preston’s first micropub. The two venues share a philosophy—real ale, real people, real conversation—but each has its own personality.

Where the Guild Ale House is a traditional micropub in the heart of the city centre, The Orchard is a craft beer bar that makes the most of its unique location inside Preston’s covered market. The decor incorporates wood recycled from the old market trestle boards alongside lots of modern glass, creating a space that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to the market’s history.

The bar describes itself as “a cosy craft beer bar” with “a welcoming, northern atmosphere and all the vibes,” and that sense of warmth and community is central to its appeal.

The Beer: Ten Keg Lines and Three Cask Pumps

The Orchard is a haven for anyone who loves variety. The bar features ten keg lines, three cask hand pumps, and an extensive stock of spirits, wines, ciders, cans, and bottles.

Cask Ales

The three cask lines focus on changing beers with a strong emphasis on local breweries from Lancashire and the surrounding region. CAMRA notes that The Orchard serves three changing beers and zero regular beers, meaning every visit offers something new.

Craft Keg

The ten keg lines are the heart of The Orchard’s craft beer offering. Reviewers have praised the “tasty and interesting board of craft beers” and the knowledge of the staff, with one noting that “the server really knew his stuff”. The selection is deliberately adventurous, with standout beers mentioned in reviews including blueberry pastry stout and hazy pale ale.

Beyond Beer

For those who prefer something other than beer, The Orchard keeps an excellent selection of wines, prosecco, cider, and spirits, with a particularly noteworthy range of gins.

What You Won’t Find: The Orchard does not serve food, but the neighbouring market has plenty on offer that can be ordered and brought in to enjoy with your drink.

Atmosphere and Location: A Corner of the Market Hall

The Orchard’s location is one of its greatest assets. It sits at the corner of Preston’s Market Hall, under the picturesque Victorian canopy that gives the space its unique character.

Inside, the bar has a sleek Scandinavian feel, with wooden walls and chilled vibes that create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The space is small—even by micropub standards—but it is packed with personality. As one reviewer put it, it is a “brilliant little place with big personality”.

The outdoor seating area under the Victorian canopy is a particular highlight, especially in the warmer months, when you can sit back with a drink and watch the world go by in one of Preston’s most historic settings.

Live Music and Events

The Orchard has become well known for its regular live music, with free Saturday evening performances under the market canopy during the summer. These events bring local bands to the market and create a lively, welcoming atmosphere that draws both regulars and visitors.

Past and upcoming live music nights have featured a diverse range of acts, including CTRL, Priest Town Revival, Tin Pan Alley, Battle of the Bands, and House of Ska. The bar also hosted a ‘tap takeover’ event with local breweries, further cementing its role as a champion of the regional craft beer scene.

The Orchard is also family friendly and dog friendly, making it a welcoming spot for everyone—including well-behaved four-legged companions. Board games and newspapers are available for those who want to settle in and make an afternoon of it.

Awards and Recognition

The Orchard’s quality has been recognised by CAMRA and the wider beer community:

CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch Pub of the Season: Spring 2023

CAMRA Good Beer Guide: Listed among the top 15 pubs for a pint in Preston in the 2022 guide

The Orchard also features on the Visit Preston Ale Trail, a curated list of the city’s best real ale venues

Reviewers on Google and TripAdvisor consistently praise the friendly staff, the unique beer selection, and the cosy setting in the old market and the outdoor seating under the Victorian canopy.

Visitor Information

Address: Unit C, Market Hall, Earl Street, Preston, PR1 2LA (also listed as 28 Market Street, Preston, PR1 2LA)
Opening Hours:
- Monday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  (Note: Some sources list Monday as closed, so it is worth checking ahead if planning a Monday visit)
Location: Inside Preston Market Hall, close to the city’s bus routes and within easy walking distance of Preston railway station (approximately 750m).
Contact: 07756 583621

Why It’s Worth a Visit

The Orchard Craft Beer Bar is more than just a place to drink—it is a celebration of Preston’s market heritage, its local brewing scene, and the simple pleasure of good company. Whether you are a craft beer enthusiast hunting for the latest Deya release, a music lover looking for a free Saturday night out, or a visitor wanting to experience the best of Preston’s independent beer culture, The Orchard delivers.

It is the kind of bar that rewards curiosity—try something you have never heard of, ask the staff for a recommendation, and settle in under the Victorian canopy. As one reviewer summed it up: “Tiny but worth making the time to stop in”.

For anyone exploring Preston’s real ale and craft beer scene, The Orchard is an essential stop—a perfect companion to its sister venue, the Guild Ale House, and a gem in its own right