South Africa

The South African pub in a small Eastern Cape town that has been serving cold beer for almost 200 years

Bianke Neethling • 28 June 2026

The Historic Pig and Whistle Inn in the village of Bathurst in the Eastern Cape is home to South Africa’s oldest continuously licensed pub, which has operated for around two centuries.

Established in 1832, the Inn is considered a cornerstone attraction in the small frontier town of Bathurst.

It is only a 15-minute drive from the seaside town of Port Alfred, along the R67 to Grahamstown, where Rhodes University is located.

The Inn is still operational today, with visitors able to stay in one of its 10 bedrooms, all of which have been restored and furnished with antiques.

It also has a restaurant that offers traditional English food and Sunday roasts. The roasts in particular are so popular among both locals and visitors that the Inn recommends booking in advance to secure a spot.

Aside from the traditional offerings, the restaurant has also expanded its menu to include freshly baked cakes and desserts, vegetarian meals, and Mediterranean favourites.

While the restaurant is a popular option for tourists, one of the Inn’s main attractions is its pub, which carries the moniker of “the oldest continuously licensed pub in the country”.

South Africa has many historic pubs, including Perseverance Tavern in Cape Town, The Lord Milner Hotel Bar in Matjiesfontein, Star of the West in Kimberley, and De Akker in Stellenbosch.

However, the Historic Pig and Whistle Inn’s pub is the only one in South Africa that has been continuously licensed for around two centuries, believed to have been established in the 1820s.

According to the Inn’s website, the pub is a favourite among locals thanks to its warm, companionable atmosphere.

Its fascinating history also makes it a popular watering hole for holiday-makers to the Eastern Cape.

The pub features wooden beams, a wood-burning fireplace, and air force memorabilia decorates its stone walls.

However, it has also been updated for the modern-day visitor, boasting air conditioning and a new Frontier Bonsmara Whisky Bar, which is open on weekends and serves premium whisky and other spirits.

Bathurst

The charming village of Bathurst was founded more than two centuries ago in 1820, when it served as the early administrative centre established by the British government for the 1820 British Settlers.

Today, it forms part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality of the Eastern Cape.

The town has held on to much of its historic charm, with many of the original settler houses and other ancient buildings preserved.

The Historic Bathurst Society was specifically established in 2014 to preserve, protect, and promote the village’s cultural history.

However, this is not to say that the village is stuck in the past, as its community remains vibrant and active, hosting many local events.

For example, the Bathurst Agricultural Society hosts an annual Agricultural Show, which dates all the way back to 1850.

This year, it celebrated its 116th anniversary, bringing together agriculture, livestock, competition, family activities, food, and community over a four-day period.

The village also hosts weekly community events, including a Sunday Farmers Market and a Pool, Dart, Steak, and Pensioners Night. It also has an annual Dog Show and Country Affair event.

Aside from the Historic Pig and Whistle Inn, one of Bathurst’s most popular attractions is its Big Pineapple – a nearly 17-metre pineapple statue.

The Eastern Cape produces over 75% of South Africa’s pineapples, and as an agricultural hotspot in the province, Bathurst boasts a physical manifestation of the fruit’s dominance.

Inspired by the Big Pineapple in Queensland, Australia, Bathurst’s pineapple statue is located on a working farm called Summerhill.

Standing at 16.7 meters tall, Bathurst’s Big Pineapple beats the Australian version’s 16-meter height, meaning it carries the title of ‘World’s Largest Pineapple’.

Bathurst’s Big Pineapple was built to honour the legacy of settlers who came to the town and initially struggled to grow crops – until they started planting pineapple seeds.

Visitors can go inside the statue to see all of the attractions housed inside its three stories.

The first floor has a gift and curio shop, the second is a museum dedicated to the fruit, and on the third, visitors can watch a film about the history and cultivation of pineapples.

The top of the statue is an observation desk, which offers views of Bathurst’s surrounding farmlands. On a clear day, one can even see the Indian Ocean from the deck.