A favourite pastime, going for cocktails in Bristol can be quite the experience. With a plethora of destinations serving up everything from firm classics to the more experimental and artistic creations, you’re never stuck for choice in the city. There’s even an annual weekend dedicated to sampling some of the best concoctions at some of the city’s top venues, made by some of the most talented mixologists around.
And it doesn’t matter if you want to stay in the hustle and bustle of the centre, venture somewhere with idyllic views, or even find somewhere hidden away completely. There are hidden gems, speakeasy-style venues, plenty of mood lighting for a romantic date and even more of those with a party atmosphere, plenty of neon lighting and even a spot of karaoke.
And, if you look hard enough, you may stumble across luxurious hotel cocktail bars full of opulence, or the steampunk-inspired watering hole of a fictional travelling captain. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places for cocktails in Bristol below. Is your favourite among them?
Read more: Bristol Cocktail Weekend 2024: Everything you need to know
Read more:The bars that have opened in Bristol so far this year
The Woods
Almost hidden away at the top of Park Street, The Woods (on Park Street Avenue) is a Bristol institution and has become legendary within the Bristol bar scene. Though its speciality might be whiskies from around the world, The Woods also offers sophisticated cocktails, late opening hours and knowledgeable bartenders who, when asked to make a cocktail not on the menu, will more than likely immediately know how to make it to perfection.
The bar itself is a cosy, stylish space and you can even hire it out for private functions. Find out more and plan your visit here.
Lost & Found Bristol
Lost & Found on Queens Road is described as a ‘bohemian hideaway’ that ’embraces the curiosities of astronomy and takes you on an exceptional journey to discover the ethereal wonders of the cosmos’. Visitors are encouraged to ‘enjoy the bar’s celestial spirit in a timeless setting, with a magnificent selection of enchanting cocktails and sublime seasonal dishes to ensure a heavenly visit’.
Nestled on the Clifton Triangle, this venue boasts an extensive food menu, bottomless brunch every Saturday and some ethereal cocktail creations – they even do afternoon tea. Drinks on the menu at time of writing include sharing cocktails such as the ‘Tangled Teapot’, the ‘Wishful Wisteria’ and twists on classic cocktails, like a ‘Popcorn Old Fashioned’ and a ‘Pineapple & Ginger Mojito’ – though they do offer the classics, too.
Find out more and book your table here.
Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a “cute little independent cocktail bar” in Clifton. The team describe it as being “all about the origins of our faves, but with unpretentious and occasionally outrageous twists, with the classics available too, of course”.
You can stop by this cocktail bar on Whiteladies Road, but it’s best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Cocktails on the menu at time of writing include those classics like a Dark & Stormy, Pina Colada, Manhattan and a Strawberry Daiquiri. Plus, quirkier creations named ‘Shark Attack’, ‘Scout’s Honour’ and ‘Twister. You can view the full menu and opening times here.
The Clockwork Rose
Bristol’s first and only steampunk-inspired cocktail bar, The Clockwork Rose is the fictional watering hole of the adventurer Captain Sebastian Commodore, found on St Stephen’s Street. According to the website, “when Captain Commodore would return to England he and the crew of his airship, The Nautimore, would gather at The Clockwork Rose to tell the tales of their travels”.
These accounts have been recreated into cocktails for all to enjoy. Drinks on the menu could be served up in anything from a cocktail glass, jam jar and even a teacup.
What’s more, The Clockwork Rose offers a range of events, such as a Rum Club, regularly. Find out more and book to discover the full range of drinks on offer here.
Crying Wolf
Crying Wolf has been described as a “beautiful neighbourhood cocktail bar, with cosy booths and gorgeous decor” – and ‘very special’ cocktails. Sitting on Cotham Hill, all of this venue’s syrups and shrubs are made in house, while there is also a great focus on local suppliers in their drink and snack menus.
According to the people at Crying Wolf themselves, they “put this place together as a love letter to Bristol and its artists, producers and craftspeople”. Cocktails on the menu at time of writing include ‘fancy classics’ like a Dry Martini, Old Fashioned and a Mai Tai, as well as ‘Best of the West’ options that include a Floradora, Pina Colada, Black Cherry Negroni and Rum Espresso.
You can find out more, view the full menu and opening times here.
The Raven
The Raven, from the creators of Hyde & Co and The Milk Thistle, sits deep in the heart of Bristol’s Old City and boasts cocktails, tarot, performers and jazz aplenty. It’s described as being “a space for those looking to experience things a little differently… Forget what you know and enter the house of the Raven, where dreams dance with magic and everything holds a secret”.
Drinks on the menu have names like ‘Conference of Ravens’, ‘The Death of Moths’, ‘Icarus’, ‘The Crooked Man’, ‘Dusk’ and ‘Sea Princess’ among others. While there is also a section for those who love a classic cocktail, too.
Events in the calendar include regular close-up magic, burlesque, tarot readings and live performances. What’s more, hidden above The Raven is The Conspiracy, a private events space for up to 60 people and boasting its own private bar, decadent interior, food from the nearby Four Wise Monkeys and a DJ set on request.
The Botanist
The Botanist doesn’t just offer cocktails – but its cocktails are some of the best we’ve tasted – it also offers a wide range of food and other drink options too. There’s light bites, sharing platters, mains, roast dinners, desserts and a dedicated children’s menu to feast upon with family and friends, or you could settle in for some cocktails.
The Botanist offers classics like a Long Island Ice Tea, Negroni and Pina Colada, as well as signature cocktails like its Blood Orange & Passionfruit Collins, Cuban Mai Tai and Yuzu and Lime Margarita. There’s even after-dinner options like a Baileys Chocolate Martini, Espresso Martini, Old Fashioned or Amaretto Sour.
Located on Berkley Square, just a stone’s throw from Park Row, you can find out more about this unique spot, browse menus and check opening times here.
The Wellhead
The Wellhead in Finzels Reach is described as being a unique cafe bar and cocktails venue located in an iconic position overlooking Bristol’s Floating Harbour and Castle Bridge. The newly renovated cafe bar has “transformed the original water source from the former brewery into a rustic, yet stylish venue, retaining the original brickwork and fabric of the listed building”.
The Wellhead is the ideal place to visit if you’re after a ‘grab & go’ coffee and snack, a beverage while you enjoy the views, or a ‘cocktail experience’. In the winter time, The Wellhead serves up warming concoctions, too – click here to find out more and book a spot.
The Milk Thistle
The Milk Thistle is spread across four floors and “hidden in plain view” right on the city centre, described on its website as being “a haven of stunning architecture, eclectic decor and exceptional cocktails”. It boasts its own clandestine hidden vault, a decadent lounge bar, and The Attic – a dining room and bar ideal for private dinner parties – all in addition to The Parlour Bar, which serves up “some of the best cocktails in the city”, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the city centre.
The Milk Thistle, which boasts a regularly changing cocktail menu “full of twists on classic cocktails and unique concoctions”, is also the sister of Bristol’s original Prohibition bar, Hyde & Co. The Milk Thistle also puts on events throughout the year.
Find out more, browse the menu and check opening times for The Milk Thistle here.
Marquee
The Marquee Cocktail Bar and nightclub on Park Street opened in place of The Elbow Room post-Covid and boasts some of the most picturesque cocktails around – if it’s Instagram posts are anything to go by. Having just launched a brand new cocktail range, featuring 18 new drinks to try, this venue is also offering two for £12 on all cocktails everyday until midnight.
The bonus of having cocktails at a venue that also doubles up as a nightclub, is that you can enjoy a dance afterwards – it’s an ideal place for those of you who know you’ll fancy a boogie and not just ‘quiet cocktails’.
Blame Gloria & Tonight Josephine
Blame Gloria is situated on Small Street and is another firm favourite for a boozy brunch – this time with themes like ‘Back to the Noughties’ or an homage to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Inside, the venue is decked out with neon lights, colourful decor and the possibility of a bit of a singalong, too.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails like the Espresso Martini, Porn Star Martini, Zombie and Aperol Spritz. Tonight Josephine, the sister bar to Blame Gloria, is located on Baldwin Street and offers a similar vibe, with tunes you can singalong to day and night, regular events, happy hours and the ever famous themed brunches.
The Gold Bar
The Gold Bar on Corn Street is situated inside the four-star Bristol Harbour Hotel and describes itself as being “the hottest spot in the city”. It’s a sizeable yet intimate space with an “ultra-luxe speakeasy vibe” serving up a range of classic and modern cocktails surrounded by an interior full of retro furnishings and quirky artwork.
Cocktails on the menu at time of writing include a Twisted Dark ‘n’ Stormy, French Martini, Negroni, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini, Daiquiri, Pornstar Martini, Amaretto Sour and a Barrel Aged Old Fashioned, among others. Find out more and book here.
Bocabar
Bocabar now has two sites located at Paintworks on Bath Road and Finzels Reach, and describes itself as a “fairy-lit, food and drink lounge haven”. Situated in a redbrick warehouse building, Bocabar Paintworks is kitted out with vintage tasselled lampshades, an ever-growing collection of unique artefacts, as well as comfy Chesterfield sofas and chairs.
Artwork from local artists is also found hanging on the walls, which can be purchased during your visit. Did you know Bocabar is some 18 years old and an award-winning independent venue?
It serves up locally-sourced and seasonal ingredient based breakfasts, lunchtime specials, Sunday roasts and its renowned gourmet stone-baked Boca pizzas. There’s also a deli counter filled daily with savoury pasties, scotch eggs, antipasti, wholesome salads and cakes and desserts.
You can visit during the day for a coffee or settle in for some cosy cocktails – Bocabar’s list is rather extensive and features classics like Margarita, Negroni and Bloody Mary, as well as monthly specials too. Click here to find out more.
Illuminati
Popular Park Street cocktail bar Illuminati reopened on June 28, 2024, following several months of being closed. Situated at Number 9 Park Street, the venue shut its doors towards the end of 2023, but reopened with an event called ‘the rebirth’.
Boasting a bar, dance floor, and cafe (the latter of which is not yet open), Illuminati sits in the former home of Java and is known for its stunning floral walls and ceilings, as well as wild and wonderful cocktail concoctions, and chunky oak tables. And those who were fans of the venue before its closure in 2023, will be pleased to know that Illuminati has retained all of those features.
Inside the stunning venue, the decor almost transports you back in time with dark wooden walls dressed in artwork, glass chandeliers hanging from ceilings and warm lighting to help set the mood. The team behind Illuminati are said to be looking at ‘new DJs, headline acts and concepts’ going forward.
It’s now described as being ‘the home of R&B and Afrobeats’ and will open on Fridays and Saturdays only, rather than its previous seven days a week, with more of a niche focus on those two music genres. From its reopening on June 28, Illuminati will be open from 6pm-4am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the scope to host private events the rest of the week.