8 min readIf you’re looking for a special night out, it’s worth seeking out some of Bristol’s top cocktail bars, whether you’re looking for a secluded speakeasy or a bit of glitz and glamour.
The Granary Club
Housed in one of Bristol's most historic and beautiful buildings, The Granary Club serves up some spectacular cocktails in a stylish and contemporary setting. The team are committed to zero waste with their cocktails, and also stock a range of local wines, beers and cider for you to try.
Image - The Granary Club
The Milk Thistle
This gorgeous bar is spread across four floors, with a grand sweeping staircase and wood-panelled walls, taxidermy everywhere you look, and plenty of comfy booths and armchairs to sink into for the evening. The Milk Thistle also plays host to a monthly Gin Club as well as private cocktail masterclasses throughout the month.
Image - The Milk Thistle
The Gold Bar
As the name indicates, this swish bar located inside the four-star Bristol Harbour Hotel is the place to go if you’re looking for a spot of opulence in the Old City. The cocktail menu matches the décor; classic with some contemporary flourishes.
Image - The Gold Bar
The Clockwork Rose
A steampunk-inspired cocktail bar, themed around the adventures of one Captain Sebastian Commodore. The menu is as tasty as it is quirky, with a selection of sharing, Champagne and non-alcoholic cocktails alongside their flagship creations.
Image - The Clockwork Rose
The Wellhead
A relaxed cocktail bar venue overlooking the Floating Harbour in Finzels Reach. Previously a brewery, the Wellhead combines old and new features, with a cocktail menu inspired by Bristol’s rich history.
Image: The Wellhead
Rick's
Open until late from Wednesday to Sunday, Rick's at The Bristol Hotel is inspired by the glamourous cocktail bars of a bygone era, combining some mellow jazz in the background with skillfully-made cocktails.
Image - Rick's
6 O'clock Gin at The Glassboat
If gin cocktails are your thing, this is the place to go! The cocktail menu features classic G&T's made with the 6 O'clock Gin range, as well as different flavours such as Spiced Orange & Cranberry or Damson & Blackcurrant Sour.
Image - 6 O'clock Gin at The Glassboat
Alcotraz
Enjoy your own bespoke cocktails from the "serving" mixologists in this prison-themed experience, where you're invited to smuggle in your own spirits and try to keep your contraband secret from the guards and warden.
Image - Alcotraz
Cosy Club
Step into this grand former bank building and enjoy a concoction from their cocktail list curated by their in-house mixologists, featuring classic cocktails such as an Espresso Martini or Paloma, as well as their own in-house spritzes and teetotal tipples.
Image - Cosy Club
Flight Club
Combine an evening of cocktails with a game of electronic darts at this fun bar on Corn Street, or book in for one of their weekend brunch socials, where you can enjoy bottomless Prosecco and pizza after a taster game of Social Darts®.
Image - Flight Club
Bocabar
Head along to Bocabar in Finzels Reach or Paintworks for a range of signature cocktails, plus the latest specials created for their menu every month!
Image: Bocabar
Spirited
This spirits shop on North Street in Bedminster also does a great range of classic cocktails and highballs, alongside their premium spirit flights and drams.
Image - Spirited
Harbour House
Sup a seasonal cocktail on the harbourside terrace at Harbour House and watch the world go by, with an eclectic wine list and gins for you to choose from too.
Image - Harbour House
The Boot Factory at Artist Residence
This stylish and eclectic bar is housed in a former boot factory in St Pauls. A popular choice for brunch during the day, in the evenings you'll find locals and visitors enjoying their signature cocktails and their happy hour on a Sunday to Thursday, 4-6pm with selected cocktails from £6.50 and pints from £4.
Image - Artist Residence
Brozen Bar
If you’re in the mood for something a bit different, how about some frozen cocktails made right in front of you with liquid nitrogen? Try the Brozen version of a Dark ‘n’ Stormy (Dark ‘n’ Sleety) or Passionfruit Margarita (Passion on Ice), or go for one of their regular cocktails or hot chocolate if you’re in need or warming up rather than cooling off!
Image: Brozen Bar
The Raven
A mysterious cocktail bar located above Four Wise Monkeys on St Nicholas Street, which regularly features live performers and a focus on tarot and magic. From here you'll be on the doorstep of several other cocktail bars, including The Rummer, Stock Exchange Cocktail Club, London Cocktail Club, The Library and more!
Image: The Raven
Blame Gloria
Neon lights, colourful decor and 70's tunes - you're guaranteed a good night out at this city centre cocktail bar! At nearby Tonight Josephine, a sassy sister bar to Blame Gloria, you can expect sing-along tunes all day night, from Harry Styles to ABBA, plus regular events such as their famous themed brunches!
Her Majesty’s Secret Service
The team here always let their imagination run riot, with their cocktails bring served in anything from an owl mug through to a small gumball machine! The interior of the bar has nods to Bond films (as the name suggests), but the menu is always full of surprises. Sister bar Filthy XIII on Gloucester Road is also worth a visit; the cocktails are similarly inventive but in more of a dive bar setting, complete with a snacking menu of hot dogs, loaded fries and more.
Crying Wolf
A beautiful neighbourhood cocktail bar on Cotham Hill, with cosy booths and gorgeous décor. The cocktails are very special too, with all of their syrups and shrubs made in-house, and a focus on local suppliers and producers in their drinks and snack menu.
Image - Crying Wolf, Credit: Gareth Aldridge
Loose Cannon
A good mix of high end cocktails in a fun and unpretentious setting, you’ll find Loose Cannon just off Millennium Square on the Harbourside. They have DJs at weekends and special offers on throughout the week.
The Rummer
One of the oldest bars in the city, The Rummer in St Nicholas Market also boasts one of the largest spirit selections and probably the largest fireplace in Bristol too! Whether you want a perfectly-made Old Fashioned or a premium rum over ice, this place has it covered. The bar is also located above the Bristol Dry Gin distillery, so you can pop downstairs for a gin tasting too!
The Woods
A stalwart of the Bristol bar scene, The Woods has an eye-watering whisky selection and is open until the early hours (2am most nights, and 6am on Saturdays!), so one for the night owls among you!
The Bootlegger
This raucous moonshine and music bar on Cheltenham Road is a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere to dance after grabbing some dinner along nearby foodie hotspot Gloucester Road.
Be At One
One of the city’s liveliest cocktail bars, with loud music, flaring bartenders and some great Happy Hour deals throughout the week. Popular with groups and students, Be At One makes a great starting point for a fun night out in the city, especially if you’re planning on a visit to other nearby cocktail bars such as London Cocktail Club and The Lost & Found.
Image - Be At One
Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery
Spread across several floors on Park Street, this huge bar and distillery has a rum school upstairs, and a number of nooks and crannies for you to enjoy your drinks in, whether you opt for your rum neat or in one of their punchy cocktails.
If you’re looking for some food to go with your cocktails, these restaurants also do a fine line in cocktails…
- The Granary serves up a range of classic cocktails in the main restaurant as well as in their cellar bar The Granary Club.
- The Square Kitchen has a cosy cocktail terrace with a seasonal selection of 'Secret Serves' for you to choose from.
- Za Za Bazaar - this huge restaurant on the harbourside has a great range of classic cocktails and mocktails to enjoy with their range of world dishes, plus monthly signature cocktails.
- Riverstation has the perfect harbourside terrace for you to enjoy their classic cocktail menu.
- The Ivy Clifton Brasserie does a range of classic cocktails as well as seasonal specials in their stunning restaurant.
- Bambalan - we recommend sipping your cocktails on their huge roof terrace.
- Kibou do a range of Japanese-inspired cocktails as well as offering an extensive whisky and sake menu.
- Four Wise Monkeys have named their signature cocktails after classic Kung Fu movies, including Fist of Fury and A Touch of Zen.
- Bar 44 have a broad selection of G&Ts and Spanish-inspired cocktails for you to pair with your tapas.
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