The Best Bars In Clifton, Bristol

A night out in Clifton is not complete without paying a visit to the world-famous The Coronation Tap. The only bar in Clifton to merit its own terminology, getting ‘corried’ is the way to have a fantastic night out while knocking back a few drinks at the oldest, and only, cider house in Bristol. Their large selection of ciders are served in half-pints only and the lively atmosphere guarantees entertainment into the late hours of the night. Also a live music venue, The Coronation Tap is a frequent haunt for Bristol’s students and Clifton visitors.

Wine enthusiasts visiting Bristol’s Victorian suburb of Clifton will be nothing short of delighted after a few hours spent at The Quadrant. This establishment, centrally located in Clifton village, is a tapas bar by day and a wine bar by night; a growing menu of over 30 international wines will have you buying by the bottle. The intimate wine cellar often hosts wine tasting events for an alternative evening out, catering to novices and connoisseurs alike.

Once you ring the doorbell and enter Hyde & Co, this prohibition-era themed bar takes you back to a time of secret rooms and delinquent drinking. The decor immerses guests in the 1920s speakeasy atmosphere. A secret private room, vintage lampshades and a piano (for the musically inclined) can be found in the dimly lit room, creating a relaxed drinking space for the cool, calm and collected Cliftonites. The cocktail menu dominates the drink choice, with extensive classics and specialities on offer.

The Woods is inconspicuously located just off Park Street. The bar spans two separate rooms, where animal heads and insects decorate the walls. Rustic seating and cosy chesterfields for intimate parties or large groups are available. While the menu boasts a variety of exciting beers and spirits, The Woods is beloved by locals for its exceptional whisky, the quality and range unlike any other in Clifton village.

Cliftonites head to The Somerset House to start the night. A fashionable candlelit gastropub with vintage radios and bare brick walls, this pub is a chilled out place to have a drink. The champagne and gin dining room serves over 60 varieties of gin with a full range of fever-free tonics, creating exciting twists and turns on the classic British gin and tonic. Wine lists may change with the season, but The Somerset House is an appealing bar any time of the year.

Her Majesty’s Secret Service has gained recognition at the Bristol Cocktail Week for having the best atmosphere. Its unique wartime theme explores secret intelligence gatherings and espionage through dark oakwood furniture and a portrait of Winston Churchill. Fiery and complex cocktails adorn the pages of a passport-style menu.

Alterego is located right at the heart of the Whiteladies Road strip, and is Clifton’s best sports and cocktail bar. Alterego is all about the game, screening up to five games simultaneously and covering every live major sporting event on ten HD screens, including two large projectors. With an appetising array of cocktails on the menu, a lively night is guaranteed. Alterego also offers cocktail lessons, including three cocktails and one shot. A popular joint for students and stag-do’s alike, Alterego is the perfect bar to go out and get loud.
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