Merchants 1688 Restaurant in Lancaster

29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN

About This Pub

Ah, Merchants 1688 – what a lovely find if you're wandering around Lancaster. From the reviews I've had a look at, it's clear folks are really taken with the place; the food stands out as something special, with tasty, well-presented meals that use local ingredients, and the portions are just right without breaking the bank. Pair that with a solid range of drinks, and you've got yourself a great excuse for a relaxed afternoon or evening out. The staff come across as genuinely welcoming and efficient, even when things pick up and it gets a bit lively, which is nice to see. That historic setting in the old wine cellars gives it such a unique, cosy feel – it's not your average pub, that's for sure. On the flip side, it does tend to fill up quickly, particularly on busier days, so you might find yourself waiting around if you pop in unannounced. And honestly, the website's a bit of a letdown right now, so it's worth double-checking details elsewhere. All in all, if you're in the area, I'd say give it a go – it's a proper gem for a bite and a chat with mates.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The food is absolutely brilliant – high-quality dishes with generous portions and great value for money, especially with locally sourced ingredients.
Excellent service from the staff, who are always on top of things even when the place is buzzing.
A fantastic selection of drinks to suit all tastes, making it a proper spot for a pint or a cocktail.
The unique historic atmosphere in the old wine cellars adds a real touch of character and makes every visit feel special.
Prime location right near Lancaster Castle, perfect for a stop-off after exploring the area.

Cons

It can get quite busy, especially on warm days or weekends, which might mean a bit of a wait if you haven't booked ahead.
The website seems a tad unreliable at the moment, so you might need to check other sources for the latest info or menus.

Contact Information

29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN

+44152466466

Restaurant

Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday (Today)	11:30 - 23:00
Tuesday	11:30 - 23:00
Wednesday	11:30 - 23:00
Thursday	11:30 - 23:00
Friday	11:00 - 23:30
Saturday	11:00 - 23:30
Sunday	11:30 - 23:00

Location

Recent Reviews

Fantastic pub/restaurant very close to Lancaster castle. Great selection of drinks,the food was excellent as was the service! We visited on a Friday afternoon on a very warm day,as to be expected it was busy but the staff were on top of their game! If in Lancaster try this fantastic pub!

Brian Standing

If you’re going to choose one place, choose here. The quality of the food was incredible. Portion size and price for the high quality of the food was spot on. Location is beautiful, unique and characterful. Staff were accommodating and perfectly responsive to making us comfortable. A rather special place. Inside is beautiful and it’s right next to train station and castle. Menu is smaller than generic restaurants but this is due to the crafted menu which tailors to seasonal food. A high quality place and food without feeling posh or uncomfortable. We loved it.

Abigail

Stumbled across this little gem when visiting the castle in Lancaster would of been rude not to pop in, and wasn’t disappointed was lovely and cosy and quirky

Kelly Grazier

Went with family for Sunday lunch 01/02/25... This is a pub with a difference as it is seeped in history. The majority of the inside is made up of wine sellers / tunnels, which is where customers sit. We all ordered chicken roast dinner, which was very well presented and more of a gourmet type restaurant than pub. I would recommend soup of the day..Sweet Potato and Rosemary... Each of us discovered that with our main courses, a couple of items were overcooked and should not have been served by the chef, which was disappointing and reason for the deduction of one star. Also some of the cheeses you are able to choose for your cheeseboard are an acquired taste... choose with caution! All staff were efficient and professional despite the mentioned food issues. The pub is accessed by going down some steps, into a lower level than ground. Toilets are also accessed by a flight of stairs. Unless there is a ground floor disabled toilet, then there would be access difficulty for both the entrance and bathrooms for people with mobility restrictions and wheelchair users. Parking would be via local car parks in the vicinity. The pub is located within easy walking distance of the cities train station and directly outside if the castle grounds. If you are looking for a pub with a difference, somewhere quaint and vibrant, this is certainly the place for you!

Me 66

Been here a few times recently and have been absolutely blown away with the quality of food. The autumn/winter 24 menu in particular has been amazing and it’s fantastic that a lot of the food is sourced locally. The atmosphere in the old wine cellars is lovely and makes for a really unique dining experience. Service is usually good but not always, sometimes members of staff can be quite abrupt but I appreciate they are probably very busy. Definitely not something to put you off going as the place really is one of a kind in Lancaster.

Meg Jeffery