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The Eagle, Cambridge
Cambridge
CB2 3QN
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Eagle
Situated opposite owner’s Corpus Christi College, the history of what is Cambridge’s most famous pub is well documented literally and pictorially on the website and on my scan; it’s the city’s second oldest after the Pickerell and originally the Eagle & Child. Certainly, there are some sound elements such as the somewhat Jacobean fireplace and overall interior, which is perhaps a bit of a later brewers’ Tudor addition, but the pub lacks a CAMRA star rating. It’s also operated by Greene King, which is rarely a good thing. In more recent times, it acquired graffiti in the RAF Bar (no, not affiliated to Baader Meinhof) from Allied pilots burnt into the ceiling and of course, no mention can be made without reference to James Watson and Francis Crick who invented DNA here, but let’s not forget Maurice Wilkins and poor Rosalind Franklyn. Customers were understandably many for a Friday evening, but the place would probably be rammed had it not been the holidays.
There were seven cask offerings including the predictable rebadge that is Eagle DNA, rightly swerved in favour of Oakham’s Mompesson’s Gold at a whopping £3.10 a half and dull.
This is a must-visit if in Cambridge if only for the history and interior, but it’s not a place where I’d linger.
On 8th April 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1993 recommendations about 1959 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Eagle
Originally a Jacobean ale house, the pub was given a Georgian makeover and has been extended into adjoining commercial premises to form a two-part pub and restaurant. It is currently operated by GK. There is a main bar and another, smaller bar known as the RAF Bar, though whether this implies any connection to the paramilitary organisation of the same name isn’t certain. The bars, described below, are connected externally by a small paved and very smokey terrace, and internally by a tortuous subterranean corridor which leads to the lavatories. Some of the customers were rather annoying, including one who looked like Jonathan Ross, while the staff were largely inefficient and unhelpful. Ales on were Eagle's DNA, Abbott, Trooper, Starry Night, Gangley Ghoul and Doombar, Mighty Moose IPA, Tribute and Landlord spread across the two bars. The Eagle's DNA, a reference to the Crick and Watson historical connection, was clearly something re-badged, a practice which, just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it right. Worth visiting for the historical interest described below, but it could turn tiresome quite quickly.
On 29th November 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3289 recommendations about 3254 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Eagle
It was nice to visit here out of season, as this gave good opportunity to a have a good look around this pub which first opened its doors in 1667. As mentioned, Watson and Crick announced their double helix DNA discovery, lunchtime on the the 28th Feb 1953. Also of historical interest, is the messages written by our brave Second World War airmen covering ceiling and walls in the rear bar. The pub has no music, TV's or gaming machines, a plus I suppose when you're trying to make a major discovery. Seven ales on handpump, we went for the Cottage Try Me.
On 9th March 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Eagle
This is an iconic pub in Cambridge and worthy of inspection by any pub enthusiast but beware it is often overrun by tourists.There are multiple rooms all wooden panelled with many low beams ,nooks and crannies and original fireplaces dotted about.There is an exterior courtyard between some of the rooms,and the rear RAF bar is interesting for the the memorabilia and poignant with the war time flight crews having written messages about their squadrons in lipstick on the ceiling,many never to return.
The room next door is probably the most charming and has a plaque denoting the spot that Crick and Watson first unveiled their double helix DNA discovery .
These days the pub in owned by Greene King ,and the two bars both sport 7 handpumps with a different selection of ales ,although GK brews are much in evidence and the house Eagle DNA is no doubt one of their too.However guests (I spotted four in total with a few reversed clips) are served and both my Woodeford Nog and Potbelly Captain Pigwash were in good condition although the latter did cause confusion on ordering as the Polish barmaid assumed I was casting aspersions on the quality of the pubs beer !
Food is very popular here,it's a corporate pub grub menu and your are advised of the likely waiting time,expect 45 mins at busy times and when our food arrived the meat centrepieces were quite dry and curled at the edges,the chips and veg fresher.
Have a look around as there's lots to appreciate ,try and choose a quiet moment when the charm may have a chance to shine through.
On 31st December 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Eagle
A massive pub that has bars and seating all over the place. You need a map to get around. Although this is a GK pub there are quite a few guest ales on and there is a nice courtyard for summer days. Gets packed with tourists.
On 6th August 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Eagle
This is a terraced Georgian styled pub, with a patio area at the back. It was the scene of the Crick and Watson (add Rosalind Franklin!) address on the DNA double helix. It is in white and stone, with an entablature entrance and passageway to the rear. The interior is a warren of small rooms, one off to the left and right as soon as you enter, although a passageway meanders you to the bar. There is another room up a few steps that is part partitioned by a hearth feature. The decor is a mix of red, white and brick, but i didn't see much of the place as i just wanted to sit down as i wasn't feeling great. Bottles, old photos and other ephemera are dotted about. They do food, but I didn't eat, so can't comment on that. There are a few fireplaces. The service was fine and it was really busy, mainly with diners. Beer; usual taps with Peroni and Estrella. On handpull there were GK IPA, Abbot, Spekky Hen, Golden Hen, Ruddles COunty and Red Squirrel's London Porter. I had half of this while waiting for the family. It was fine. Great building, but dull GK beer choice. Still, i think you have to pop in for one, i would again, especially when feeling more up for it.
On 10th April 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Eagle
Popped in for a quick pint having seen the pub on the One Show. Usual GK brews and several guests including Tiger Eagle DNA and Trawler Boys which was in fine condition. Had a good look round and spent time in the RAF bar at the back. Food looked good but we had already eaten. Nice traditional boozer, decent beer, well worth a visit.
On 21st September 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
A B left this review about The Eagle
A tourist trap, almost always overcrowded and overpriced. Most people visit once, inspect the writing on the ceiling, and never come back.
On 20th December 2012
- rating: 4
[User has posted 27 recommendations about 26 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Eagle
The Eagle describes itself as the most famous pub in Cambridge,. May well be, but it’s certainly one of the most interesting in the City Centre, being a maze of interconnecting different seating areas, with a shady courtyard hidden out back.
One of the more interesting rooms is the RAF bar with its wartime memorabilia and ceiling covered with the names and squadron numbers of World War 2 airmen, allegedly written using cigarette lighters and lipstick.
And apparently another of the rooms was where the first public announcement of the discovery of DNA was made.
It's yet another GK outlet in the centre of Cambridge, but does have the advantage of having a fairly extensive range of their ales and a couple of guests, although the guests were the same as those seen earlier in other GK outlets in the centre, thus fuelling my paranoia about GK’s current guest ale policy.
As mentioned below it is owned by Corpus Christi College and leased to GK. Now if there’s half a chance that it could be leased to Nicholsons when it comes up for renewal, then we would really have a top pub.
Took me a while to be served but then I did choose to visit it primarily because of its proximity to the Corn Exchange and perhaps an hour before a sold out gig at the Exchange is not representative of a normal evening here. Anyway saw enough that this is a good pub and I will visit again at a more sensible hour when back in Cambridge.
On 1st June 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2122 recommendations about 2001 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about The Eagle
Very busy former coaching inn , the place is a rabbit warren , you enter through a corridor , the main bar is to the left with seating areas all around , steps to the right lead to another seating area and another corridor leads around to the famous RAF bar(with its own servery) with its famous and very poignant ceiling .
There is an outside drinking area accessed from all rooms.
The pub is reputedly haunted and features on the Cambridge ghost tour , an intresting feature of the pub lease is that a small window in an upstairs room must remain open at alltimes to allow the spirits of two children killed in a fire to leave freely .
Usual keg taps and plenty of handpulls with all Greene King beers , Libertine , IPA , Olde Trip , Abbott , Ale Fresco and Eagle DNA , all the beers were in good nick .
Its a decent enough pub worth a visit
On 6th May 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]