Steeped in charm and history, The Cardinal's Hat Pub is a Lincoln institution, having first opened its doors in the 13th century. We visited this venerable pub on a bank holiday Monday during a local festival. Expecting crowds, we stopped in for lunch and were pleased to find a comfortably bustling atmosphere.

The pub exudes cozy, old-world ambiance with its dark wood beams, stone walls, and bowed ceilings. We grabbed pints of their hand-pulled local ales and IPAs at the quick and friendly bar. Settling into a table, we relaxed over our drinks while taking in the pub's character.

A lone blues guitarist strummed soulful tunes, complementing the warm vibe. Patrons swayed along as they ate lunch. While we didn't dine this visit, the novel newspaper-shaped menu was stacked with classic British pub fare that looked generously portioned and appetizing.

Upstairs, the Cocktail Bar would be an ideal perch for evening revelry. But even during our lower-key lunch, The Cardinal's Hat maintained its quintessential old pub charm. History seeps from every corner of this centuries-old public house, making it a must-visit for great beer and cozy atmosphere steeped in Lincoln tradition.