The city that has the word ‘beer’ in its name is obviously going to have some excellent drinking establishments. At any given time, Bristol has more than 200 pubs, bars, and drinking establishments of various kinds within its boundaries. Arguably, no other city in the UK has such a strong and continuing presence of good quality drinking establishments as Bristol. There is a vast range of different places to go to for a drink, from traditional pubs that have been serving locals for decades to quirky themed cafes and — if you look hard enough — secret cocktail dens hidden underneath other businesses. This makes it all the harder to pick just 7 of the best bars in Bristol right now! But here goes…
1. The Limes
The Limes is a cocktail bar and eatery on Park Street. Park Street runs at a diagonal to the city centre and is one of the main thoroughfares out of the city to the east. The Limes is a bar with a difference. It serves a selection of high-end cocktails, but with a twist. The twist is that the bar is a secret. It is housed in a building that dates from the Victorian era, and the bar itself is an entirely hidden den. You have to walk through an antique shop to access it. You then descend a set of steps to find yourself in a dimly-lit, intimate cocktail bar. The Limes is a wonderful place for an after-work drink. It is small enough not to be too rowdy, yet has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
2. St. Nick’s
For something a little bit different, St. Nick’s is a great choice. It’s like a cross between a pub and a cafe. The St. Nick’s building is a Grade II listed former brewery building. It was converted into a bar and cafe in 1991 and is located near the Floating Harbour in Bristol. The pub is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, great selection of beers, ciders and wines, and food menu. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is renowned for its Sunday roasts. You can eat indoors, or at tables and benches outside on the terrace. St. Nick’s is also home to the Bristol Beer and Cider Festival.
3. The Milk Thistle
The Milk Thistle is a bar and restaurant on the busy Gloucester Road. This is one of the main arterial roads out of the city to the west. It has the kind of comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that many people associate with classic British pubs, but it has a modern twist. There is plenty of seating inside and outside. All of the food is homemade, and the drinks are a mix of British classics and some more modern cocktails and soft drinks. The Milk Thistle is also a great place to go for Sunday lunch. There is a special a la carte menu that changes weekly. It’s a great place to come if you are visiting Bristol with friends or family.
4. The Temple
The Temple is a bar on the corner of East Street and Temple Place. East Street is one of the main streets in the city centre, and Temple Place is a small alley running off East Street. You will recognize the Temple as you walk past. It is the only building on the street that has a stained glass window. The Temple has a long and varied history, and it has been a church, a hostel for sailors, a public house, and a music venue. It has also been described as one of the most haunted buildings in Bristol. The Temple is a great place to go for a drink. Although it is a large venue, it somehow manages to be both intimate and cosy at the same time. It hosts a wide variety of music events, as well as poetry nights and comedy nights. If you are looking for an atmospheric place to go for a drink, The Temple should be somewhere at the top of your list.
5. The Egg Cafe and Bar
The Egg Cafe and Bar is a quirky and unusual bar located in Stokes Croft. Stokes Croft is a historic neighbourhood in the north of Bristol. The Egg is an odd mix of cafe, cocktail bar, and creative space. It serves drinks and food all day and has a late-night license for those who want to sample some of the cocktails on offer after 10 pm. The Egg has a unique and artistic atmosphere. It is a place where the customers and staff are encouraged to express themselves through art and creative expression. The walls are covered in murals and graffiti. The Egg is a place that is a little bit alternative and a little bit edgy. It’s the kind of place where you can go for a quiet drink, or for something a bit more lively and eccentric.
6. B Fridge
B Fridge is a cocktail bar in Bristol city centre. It is located on Park Row, a busy street running parallel to the River Avon. B Fridge is the kind of place where the bartenders excel at what they do, but they are also happy to talk you through the drinks on offer and help you to pick something that suits your tastes. They serve a selection of both classic and original cocktails. The drinks menu also includes a selection of spirits, soft drinks, and a limited range of bottled beers. B Fridge is open daily from 4 pm to 2 am but is busiest in the later evenings. It has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is the perfect place to stop for a drink if you are exploring the city centre after a day of shopping or visiting the sights.
7. Black Bear Lodge
Black Bear Lodge is a cocktail bar that has been serving drinks and food in the south of the city since 2015. It is located on the ever-trendy Gloucester Road. It is in a converted church, and the entrance is through an alleyway called Bear Lane. The interior has been made to look like a traditional British pub. But it has been modernized with decor that includes brightly-coloured carpets, a bar made out of an old church pew, and a huge stuffed grizzly bear sitting on the wall above the bar. The food menu is British pub classics, but the drinks menu is where Black Bear Lodge really shines. The selection of cocktails is varied and imaginative. They also offer a selection of standard soft drinks and a small range of bottled beers. Black Bear Lodge is a great place to go for a relaxed drink after work or a long day of shopping.
