Bath might be famous for its Roman baths and Georgian charm, but this historic city also knows how to shake, stir, and serve a damn good cocktail. From hidden basement bars to quirky, botanical spots that have been featured on TV, we've scoured the city to find the best places for a tipple or two. So, whether you're celebrating, catching up with friends, or simply in need of a well-crafted drink, here’s where to find the top cocktail bars Bath has to offer. Cheers.
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Cocktail Bars In Bath
1. The Bootlegger
- Where: 16-18, George Street, BA1 2EN
- Best for: old fashioneds
Hidden in the heart of Bath, The Bootlegger is where the spirit of the Roaring Twenties comes alive - no secret password required. This speakeasy-inspired bar is a sultry tribute to the Prohibition era, where expertly mixed cocktails, vintage vibes, and toe-tapping tunes set the scene for a night of pure escapism.
Lock your lips around the likes of the vodka-based Passionately Peach, Charlie's Chocolate negroni, or a rum and maple flavoured old fashioned. If cocktails aren’t your thing, fear not - there’s a top-tier selection of spirits, beers, ciders, and wines to keep you sipping in style. And because no good party runs on drinks alone, their menu of indulgent bites will keep you fuelled for an evening of swanky revelry.
Expect plush furnishings and golden light fixtures at The Bootlegger.
2. Robun
- Where: Princes Buildings, 4 George Street, BA1 2ED
- Best for: Japanese whiskies
Inspired by Japan’s rich drinking culture, this sleek yet welcoming spot is a haven for lovers of Japanese whisky, sake, and expertly crafted cocktails. Robun's whisky trolley is a treasure trove of rare and revered bottles, showcasing the craftsmanship of Japan’s finest distilleries. If sake’s your thing, you’ll find everything from fresh and fruity to unfiltered, rice-forward pours.
And then there are the cocktails - flamboyant, refined, and faultless. Whether it’s the raspberry-infused Clover Club, the smoky Mezcaloma, or a bold Rum Rebellion, each sip is designed to transport you straight to Tokyo’s coolest bars. Pair your drinks with delicate sushi, crispy tempura, and fire-grilled yakitori, and you’ve got an evening that’s as stylish as it is delicious.
Authentic Japanese interiors make up Robun - p.s. there's karaoke too.
3. The Botanist
- Where: 46a Milsom Street, BA1
1DN
- Best for: floral gin-based concoctions
On the hunt for one of the best cocktail bars in Bath for couples? It doesn't get more romantic than this beauty - it even features in Channel 4's First Dates. Nestled in the heart of Milsom Place, The Botanist is a whole experience. Set inside a stunning octagon-shaped building, this botanical haven is where vintage charm meets floral finesse, and where cocktails are crafted with as much artistry as the setting itself.
Their cocktail menu is a mix of the classic and the curious - think The Plant Pot (a bourbon-meets-kiwi dream), a zesty Sicilian Lady Martini, or their signature serve, The Botanist, with a fragrant blend of elderflower, jasmine, and mint. Need something refreshing? A Garden Spritz or a Passion Fruit Paloma should do the trick.
Floral and flirty - The Botanist (pictured) has got it all going on.
4. Opium
- Where: Spring Gardens Road, Bathwick, BA2 6PJ
- Best for: classics done well
Step into the underground world of Opium, a bar so tucked away it feels like Bath’s best-kept secret. Perched beneath Grove Street, just off Pulteney Bridge, this vault-like hideaway is where classic cocktails meet inventive house creations, all served with old-school charm.
The drinks menu is as carefully curated as the decor - expect expertly mixed classics, signature house concoctions, a hand-picked wine list, and world beers that cater to every palate. But the real magic? The bar team’s 'if we can make it, we will' approach. Whether you’re craving a time-honoured Negroni or something totally bespoke, they’ll craft the perfect drink to match your mood.
With an intimate, candlelit atmosphere and a warm, personal touch, Opium is a pretty cool bar.
5. The Ivy Bath Brasserie & Garden
- Where: 39 Milsom Street, BA1 1DN
- Best for: a refreshing spritz
Perched in the heart of Bath, just a stone’s throw from the city’s iconic sights, The Ivy Bath Brasserie & Garden is a cocktail lover’s dream. Head upstairs to the first-floor cocktail bar, where resident mixologists shake, stir, and serve up a menu as refined as the Georgian surroundings. With a curated selection of premium spirits and local distillations, every sip is a celebration of Bath’s rich heritage.
Try the Somerset Royale, a sophisticated blend of blackcurrant liqueur and Red Stoke bottle-fermented cider, or the Blanconi, a botanical delight featuring Bath-hopped rhubarb gin, Suze, and a touch of elderflower. Feeling indulgent? The chocolate and orange martini - a decadent mix of Belvedere, Grand Marnier, and Rubis Chocolate Wine - is pure, velvety temptation. Plus, with a gorgeous terrace for alfresco drinks, you can unwind in style all year round.
You can always count on The Ivy's interiors to be Instagrammable.
6. Cosy Club
- Where: Unit R4, Southgate Place, BA1 1AP
- Best for: brunch cocktails
Cosy Club oozes vintage charm with a splash of Prohibition-era intrigue. Don’t let the discreet entrance fool you - take the stairs (or lift, if you’re feeling less Gret Gatsby and more Great British) to a first-floor haven of stylish cocktails, dramatic décor, and a sweeping terrace overlooking Southgate Place.
Sip on a Speakeasy Old Fashioned, a bold and whiskey-forward classic with just a whisper of orange bitters. Or go for the Clover Club, a vibrant mix of Cygnet Gin, Chambord, and raspberry syrup. Feeling rebellious? The Whiskey Sour (a.k.a. the ‘Whiskey Rebellion’) is smooth and sharp. And for a taste of Al Capone’s old favourite, the Southside blends gin, mint, lime, and sugar in a concoction that once masked the harshness of illicit moonshine.
Do what it says on the tin: get cosy and wrap your lips around some floral concoctions.
7. The Bath Distillery Gin Bar
- Where: 2-3 Queen Street, BA1 1HE
- Best for: gin lovers
If you're on the hunt for a cocktail bar, Bath has an exciting handful and this beauty is one of them. Singing to botanical enthusiasts, The Bath Distillery Gin Bar is a love letter to the juniper spirit, serving up over 239 impressive gins alongside its very own Bath Gin range. Whether you're a purist looking for the perfect G&T or an adventurer keen to explore the bar’s ‘Gin Austen’ cocktail menu, this is a gin lover’s paradise.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by shelves lined with artisanal bottles, each paired with a bespoke garnish and mixer to enhance its unique character. The elegant street-level bar is where Bath’s most talented mixologists work their magic, crafting signature serves like the Wylde Flower (infused with orange bitters), the Foal’s Gold (lavender and honey syrup bliss), and the rich, coffee-kissed C-Biscuit. And for those feeling particularly decadent? Sharing teapots of Bath Gin are on hand to keep the good times flowing.
Don’t forget to stop by the Bath Gin shop, where you can take a piece of the distillery home.
8. The Hideout
- Where: 1 Lilliput Court, BA1 1ND
- Best for: whisky officiandos
Tucked away in the cobbled lanes of Tudor Bath, The Hideout is no ordinary bar - it’s a lair of liquid gold, steeped in history and drenched in whiskey. Once a meeting place for outlaws, highwaymen, and rogues looking to toast their latest heist, this stone-walled sanctuary has been resurrected with all its rebellious charm intact.
Today, it’s a haven for whiskey lovers, where over 300 varieties line the walls, and the barkeeps are living, breathing menus ready to guide you on your next dram-fuelled adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, you’ll find a pour to match your mood - from smooth, honeyed single malts to peaty beasts that pack a punch. Settle in, sip something spectacular, and let the candlelit ambience transport you back to a time when deals were struck over tumblers of the good stuff and lawmen dared not step foot inside.
Hideout here and enjoy some of the best whiskies in town.
9. Sub 13
- Where: 4 Edgar Buildings, BA1 2EE
- Best for: cocktail trees and sparklers
Set across three lively floors, Sub 13 is one of Bath’s most iconic nightlife spots, offering everything from expertly crafted cocktails to late-night club vibes. The ground-floor Gin Bar is a haven for gin lovers, serving hand-picked G&T twists in oversized balloons, while the main cocktail bar overlooks the heated terrace, perfect for catching up over 2-4-1 cocktails. Downstairs, the Sub Club turns up the energy with neon lights, leather booths, and DJs spinning RnB, chart hits, and party anthems until the early hours.
Whether you’re learning the art of mixology, dancing the night away, or sipping cocktails under fairy lights, Sub 13 has something for every kind of night out. From cocktail-making and gin masterclasses to a chilled-out terrace with shisha and cigars, this three-story party hub is where Bath comes to let loose.
Enjoy sparkling cocktail trees at Sub 13 in Bath.
10. The Dark Horse
- Where: 7A Kingsmead Square, BA1 2AB
- Best for: unique daiquiris
One of the best cocktail bars Bath has up its sleeve, The Dark Horse is a world where craftsmanship, creativity, and a deep love for the perfect drink collide. This independent, dimly lit den is a masterclass in mixology, offering an intimate escape from the bustle of Bath. Every inch of this space is steeped in passion; the interiors are a rich tapestry of locally sourced and handcrafted materials - think timber from Bath’s surrounding countryside, antique furniture from the city’s dealers, and custom-built pieces by artisan carpenter Luke Saxton.
The walls showcase striking, one-of-a-kind artwork from Bristol’s renowned Jacknife Studios, while the bespoke sound system, built by Wiltshire’s Naim Audio, ensures an immersive experience from first sip to last. Whether it’s English spirits, foraged herbs, or South-West brewed beers, every sip here tells a story of the land. Expect inventive drinks crafted with precision, served in an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and effortlessly welcoming.
The staff aprons at The Black Horse are
handmade by Bristol designer Mishi
May.
Fancy some sky-high sips? Check out our guide to the best rooftop bars in Bath.
