The best bars in Bristol

Bristol is a city brimming with creativity, culture, and flair, complete with a musical history, art scene, and nightlife that’ll make most other UK cities envious. Considering all of this, coming up with a definitive list of the best bars in Bristol has been a tall task, but we got there somehow. 

All walks of life have something to enjoy here, as whether you’re after a quiet drinking den, a lively student bar or a photogenic rooftop terrace, there’s something for you here. Here are our shouts for the best bars in Bristol. 

 

 

The Full Moon and Attic Bar 

 

Image: The Full Moon and Attic Bar / Facebook.com

When: Opening times vary, check their website for details

Where: 1 North Street, St Paul's, Bristol BS1 3PR

Lying at the heart of the lively Stokes Croft neighbourhood is this multi-venue gem. The Full Moon and Attic Bar is Bristol to the core, priding itself on serving local lagers and IPAs, while its courtyard, pub, nightclub bring together resident DJs, artists and creatives. 

Not only that, but anyone who can’t get enough of the Full Moon will be happy to know the venue also has a hostel, so you wouldn’t have to leave at all!

 

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The Anchor

 

Image: The Anchor / Facebook.com

When: 12pm - 11pm Sunday to Wednesday, 12pm - 12am Thursday to Saturday

Where: 323 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8PE

Trading one beloved quarter of the city for another, the iconic Gloucester Road is home to one of the best sports bars in Bristol. The Anchor has built up a reputation for being the place to be whenever the footy’s on, thanks to its impressive nine screens and projector capturing every moment of the action. Make sure you get there on a Tuesday for their pub quiz as well. 

If you’re after more of a chilled vibe to sit in the sunshine or catch up on the latest sports game, The Anchor is the perfect place for you. 

 

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Lost Horizon HQ 

 

Image: Lost Horizon / Facebook.com

When: 5pm - 12am Tuesday to Friday, 2pm - 11pm Saturday to Sunday 

Where: 1-3 Elton St, St Jude's, Bristol BS2 9EH 

Lost Horizon HQ is a true haven for independent music and arts that continues to push Bristol as a city of diverse and creative talent. Formed in 2021 by the team behind Glastonbury’s Shangri-La, this creative playground shows off art, live music and more while being a top tier bar and arts centre. 

You can get lost in the great art and cracking events, including soundsystems, resident DJs, charity fundraisers, yard sessions and so much more. Get down and get involved! 

 

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Hyde & Co

 

Image: hydeandcobristol / Instagram.com

When: Opening times vary, check their website for details

Where: 8 Sion Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AX 

Nestled in Clifton but cosplaying as Prohibition-era New York, Hyde & Co is one of the best themed bars in Bristol. You can come for its acclaimed, award-winning creative cocktails and stay for its unique atmosphere, molded under the mask of a smoky 1920s Big Apple speakeasy. This one’s been a Bristolian highlight for well over a decade now, and you can catch it, hidden in plain sight, just off of Clifton Triangle. 

 

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The Milk Thistle

 

Image: The Milk Thistle / Facebook.com

When: 5pm - 1am Monday to Thursday, 5pm - 2am Friday to Saturday

Where: 8 Sion Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AX 

Staying in a similar vein, Hyde & Co’s sister bar The Milk Thistle isn’t a drinking den to scoff at either. This stunning city centre marvel is spread across four floors and spans a secret hidden vault, a luscious lounge bar and an attic dining room available for private parties. Throw in another bar that serves the finest cocktails this side of the Avon and you’ve got an unmissable spot to quench your fancy thirst. 

 

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Small Bar  

 

Image: Small Bar Bristol / Facebook.com

When: Opening times vary, check their website for details

Where: 31 King Street, Bristol BS1 4DZ

A proper beer lover’s bar we’ve got here. The appropriately named Small Bar offers over thirty taps covering some of the most eclectic and beloved beers across the globe, with a little South West England bias thrown in for good measure. 

Whether you’re after some mouth-watering local bevs or want to try the very best from beyond our shores, Small Bar is bound to have them on tap. Along with top class beers, Small Bar prides itself on serving delicious grub, so you can use that lovely beer to wash down some fried chicken with an Asian spin. 

 

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The Bootlegger 

 

Image: The Bootlegger Bristol / Facebook.com

When: 5pm - 2am Tuesday to Sunday

Where: 233A Cheltenham Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS6 5QP

Bristol sure loves their speakeasies. The family of Prohibition-themed bars The Bootlegger are renowned up and down the country thanks to their sites in Brighton, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, and Richmond, but it was their Bristol site that came first and is the one worth talking about here. Located just off Gloucester Road, the inaugural Bootlegger bar offers lavish liquor and lovely live bands to go with its glossy 1920s sheen. 

 

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The Apple 

 

Image: The Apple / Instagram.com

When: 12pm - 12am Monday to Saturday, 12pm - 10:30pm Sunday

Where: Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SB

One of the best student bars in Bristol, The Apple is the perfect place to try a bunch of tasty local ciders. Did we mention it’s on a boat? The Apple also has a beer garden for those wishing to soak up the sunshine whenever it shows its face. Like with fellow cult favourite cider den The Cori Tap, some of these ciders are dead cheap but some might make your head wobble a little bit. Not that that’s ever stopped us! 

 

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The Dark Horse 

 

Image: The Dark Horse - Bristol

When: Opening times vary, check their website for details

Where: 172-174 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9HX 

The Dark Horse boasts one of the best rooftop bars in Bristol, and their rooftop terrace is the perfect place to soak in the sights of the mighty Bristolian skyline. The Dark Horse is a lovely, chilled out pub that constantly provides local craft beer and farmhouse cider, tasty vegan food, DJs, quiz nights and a disco ball-laden dancefloor. 

 

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KASK

Image: KASK / Facebook.com

When: Opening times vary, check their website for details

Where: 51 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1EN

A trendy Bedminster hot spot is the perfect spot to close out the list. KASK is a jack of all trades and a master of them all, a multi-faceted garden, shop, and wine bar. One of the very best wine bars in Bristol, KASK features an always rotating and refreshing menu of wine, cheeses and charcuterie, just waiting for you to book or stroll in.  

 

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Bristol bars are exactly what you want them to be: cheap, cheerful, and lively. Click or tap here to plan your next big night out in Bristol. Whether you’re after a club night, a gig or a rooftop party, we’ve got you covered.

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.