The Rose & Crown

About the Rose & Crown

The Rose & Crown is a pub on Emerson Street, a block off University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. It describes itself as Palo Alto's oldest bar and as the first in the area to bring in craft beer. The pub says its focus is showcasing what is happening in craft beer while keeping a room that feels comfortable and unpretentious.

The name and the menu lean English. There are fish and chips, cottage pie and a pub burger. The drinks list, though, is very much Northern California, with taps that rotate through Bay Area and West Coast breweries. The pub also says its bar staff are there to help you find the right pint, which is useful when the board is long and the names are unfamiliar.

Beer and other drinks

Draft beer is the heart of the menu. The online list groups the taps by style rather than by brewery, with headings such as Light and Refreshing, Hoppy, Ciders and Sours or Dark and Malty. Recent listings have included pours from Russian River, Lagunitas, Henhouse and Palo Alto Brewing alongside German imports such as Franziskaner and Spaten. Most beers come by the pint or the pitcher, with stronger sours in smaller glasses. The taps change often, so check the online menu or the board for the current list.

Beer is not the only option. The menu also has sections for bottles and cans, cocktails, neat pours, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. There is a bottles to go section as well, for people who want to take something home.

Pub food

The kitchen keeps to bar classics. Starters include deviled eggs, seasoned chickpeas, fries, tater tots, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, buffalo wings and a wedge salad. The menu also lists tikka masala fries and tots, a nod to the curry houses of British pub culture.

For a meal, the pub lists what it calls its famous fish and chips, a fish sandwich, cottage pie, a fried chicken sandwich and a range of burgers. Several items are marked vegetarian on the menu, including the fries, onion rings, buffalo cauliflower, a cheese quesadilla and a Beyond burger. It is a short menu built to go with beer, not a full restaurant, so plan accordingly if you want a long dinner.

Sports, events and the room

The menu has an events and specials section. The pub also posts updates on its Instagram account. If you hope to watch a particular game, check its social media before the match to see what is planned. The pub stays open later than most of downtown, until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, which makes it a fallback after dinner or a show.

Like every California bar, it serves alcohol only to adults 21 and over, so bring ID. Families looking for a casual meal with kids will usually do better at a restaurant. Our bars, wine and beer guide lists other options around town.

Who it suits

The Rose & Crown suits beer drinkers first. If you like trying new breweries or comparing styles, the long rotating tap list is the draw. It also works for an after-work round with coworkers, since it opens in the afternoon and serves food that is easy to share, like baskets of fries and wings. Late hours on weekends make it one of the few downtown spots where you can still order a pint after many kitchens close. Wine and cocktail drinkers have options too, though the menu is clearly built around beer.

Tips for visiting

• Late afternoon is calmer. The pub opens at 2 p.m. on weekdays, which is a good time to talk beer with the staff before the evening crowd.
• Check the taps online. The website menu is the easiest way to see what is pouring before you go.
• Walk from the train. Emerson Street is a short walk from the Palo Alto Caltrain station. The train is the easy choice if you plan to drink.
• Make a night of it. Our nightlife guide and downtown guide cover what else is nearby.

The pub's phone number is 650-327-7673. Hours and taps can change, so call or check the website before a special trip.

Location and getting there

The Rose & Crown is at 547 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.

What is nearby

• Thaiphoon, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Qualia Contemporary Art, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Tea Time, food shop, under 0.1 mi
• Bistro Maxine, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Lee Optometrics, practice, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Pacific Art League, 0.1 mi

Other bars and pubs nearby: The Wine Room (under 0.1 mi); Bar Underdog (1.5 mi). Browse the full bars and pubs list.

Before you go

• Bring a valid photo ID. California bars check identification for anyone who looks under 30 or so.
• Last call in California is 2 a.m. at the latest, though many Palo Alto bars close earlier.
• Caltrain and rideshare are the easy ways home. Check the last train times on caltrain.com before you go out.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against The Rose & Crown official website; Food and drink menu; Contact and hours. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions