Lord Byron’s pet bear inspires new riverside pub in Cambridge

A new pub inspired by one of Cambridge’s greatest stories has opened on the site that Italian restaurant La Mimosa previously occupied, on Thompsons Lane, by the River Cam.

Byron’s Bear – named after the pet bear that Lord Byron allegedly kept in his rooms at Trinity College, defying the rule against keeping dogs – officially opened its doors last Wednesday (2 April).

Rupert Lindsay Clark and Olly Thain, founder of Cambscuisine, are the team behind it.

Rupert said: “Olly and I got together last summer and were aware that Don [Benedetto, owner of La Mimosa] was wanting to retire.

“La Mimosa was a great spot and we thought we could turn it back into a pub, hence Byron’s Bear, and we wanted a pub for everybody – not just for the summertime and not just for tourists, as it were.

“We want a proper Cambridge pub for everybody, to be enjoyed all-year-round.”

Rupert reveals that the pub has a “great collection of ale”, “an array of other local and craft beers” and “fairly simple pub grub”.

It also boasts a record player, so people can bring their own vinyl to play, and a piano that anyone can use “in an impromptu situation”.

For more information, visit byronsbear.co.uk.