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Bath Bars

ALL BAR ONE
11-12 High St, BA1 5AQ. Tel: 01225 324021
• Breezy high street staple with a slick but stress-free Euro-vibe, excellent bar and really good food. Sturdy but stylish standards (burgers, old-fashioned ham & eggs, etc) nestle alongside an excellent soup, wrap and tapas range, making for an abundant mix’n’match selection at very down-to-earth prices (especially if you take advantage of the many offers). The bar features continental beers (including Erdinger, Amstel and Leffe Blond) and an extensive wine list plus coffee, tea etc all day long.
Regular wine tasting events.

BEAUBAR
34 Monmouth St, BA1 2AN. Tel: 01225 444770
• Effortlessly oozing style, this chic, intimate wine bar initially exudes an exclusive members-only atmosphere but actually offers a very warm welcome to all. The dimly lit décor gives proceedings a distinctly burlesque feel, while a knowledgeable wine selection attracts a sophisticated crowd who pretend not to be discreetly ogling the erotica that adorns the walls. Cocktails are taken very seriously here: you won’t find the lurid, double-entendre-laden concoctions favoured by more gauche establishments on the list.
l Pavement tables out front.

THE BELVEDERE
25 Belvedere, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5ED. Tel: 01225 330264, web: www.belvederewinevaults.co.uk
• With Bellringer and Gem on tap, a fine selection of premium spirits, a champagne and cocktail selection, an extremely well-chosen wine list and two menus to choose from (tapas/substantial), the Belvedere provides all things to all people in a stylish but distinctly unsnooty atmosphere.
Regular live music – visit website for details.

THE BLUE ROOMS
George St, Bath, BA1 3EB. Tel: 01225 470040, web: www.bluerooms.net
• Formerly a members-only affair, the Blue Rooms has brought a touch of WAG life to Bath’s increasingly bling-conscious George Street strip. Once you’ve met with approval of the bouncers, a cosy sofa area offers the comfort of cushions, or you might choose to hang out in any one of three bars: a bustling main event, a quieter, more chilled area at the back, or the vaulted cellar downstairs, where resident DJ spins tunes all night long. And to drink? The Blue Rooms puts the cocky into cocktails.
Open Fri until 3am, Sat until 4am (6am on bank holidays).

BONGHY BO’S
2 Barton Court, Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1RZ. Tel: 01225 462276
• An almost hidden gem, loved by those who claim to have ‘discovered it’ and always, always reliably charming. This friendly, funky café by day - situated on a charming split-level heated courtyard - gives way to a groovy tunes bar by night.
Regular salsa/club nights.

BROWNS
Orange Grove, BA1 1LP Tel: 01225 461199, web: www.browns-restaurants.com
• Formerly a magistrates’ court and police station, this massive Georgian building is decked out in true Browns elegance and style. A spacious 160-seater restaurant serves up dishes from light bites to timeless mains, while the wine/cocktail/Euro-beer selection is extensive, to say the least.
Heated alfresco patio with smashing views across Abbey Square.

CAFÉ ROUGE
15 Milsom St, BA1 1DE. Tel: 01225 462368, web: www.caferouge.co.uk
• Lively, upmarket French-themed café-bar/brasserie/restaurant serving well-priced food in convivial surroundings, from morning coffee and continental pastries till late. Huge menu and daily specials board, superb classic French delights (moules/steak-frites, tarts, salads) and excellent bar.
Good disabled facilities; braille menus available.

CAFFE BAR
Francis Hotel, Queen Square, BA1 2HH. Tel: 01225 424105
• Uncluttered, relaxed and offering the kind of graceful, timeless, swishy vibe only found in bars attached to hotels, this cute little bar overlooking Bath’s lovely Queen Square tends to attract a sophisticated, professional clientele looking for a bar range to suit.
Hidden urban oasis alert! There’s a gorgeous scented herb garden out back.

CENTRAL BAR
Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1RG. Tel: 01225 333939; web: www.centralbarbath.co.uk
• Now open from 10am for breakfast and continuing to move with the clock through Medi-themed lunches to tapas in the evening, this bright and breezy easy-going city centre wine bar continues to go from strength to strength. The vibrant bar runs the whole gamut of pick-me-up delights (including cocktails, decent wines and top-end lagers on draught) while the upstairs lounge has comfy sofas and a separate pool room.
Platinum Cardholders receive 15% off bar tab Mon-Fri (10% Sat).

CHAZZ BAR
Above Clarke’s Restaurant, 7 Argyle St, BA2 4BQ. Tel: 01225 444440
• One of Bath’s chicest hangouts, all elegantly understated luxury and almost decadent comfort. Aimed at a 25-plus age group, it’s small but perfectly formed, with nothing frantic or bustling to detract from the feeling that you’re at one of the hippest private house parties in the city. With its plush, atmospheric bar décor, friendly bartenders and a second room lit mainly by sparkling fairy lights and strewn with cushions, the Chazz is heaven on earth for canoodling couples, cool thirtysomethings, or those who need some serious chilling-out time after indulging in the restaurant treats on offer downstairs.
Vast wine list, fantastic cocktails.

THE COMMON ROOM
2 Saville Row, BA1 2QP. Tel: 01225 425550, web: www.bathcommonroom.com
• Unique bar/nightclub hybrid offering comfy leather sofas, chill-out zones and fascinating, funky décor. Entertainment comes courtesy of DJs who keep the tiny dancefloor packed with their friendly mix of soul and funk sounds, while the snug lounging area upstairs offers laid-back peace. Find a decent, affordable wine list plus plenty of premium lagers at the bar.
Gets very busy at weekend when door charges apply from 10pm, but members (£10 per annum) gain free and prioritised entry.

DELFTER KRUG
Sawclose, BA1 1EY. Tel: 01225 443352, web: www.delfterkrug.com
• Chameleon-like cafe-bar which seamlessly morphs into a hip groove emporium by night, popular with a young’n’funky crowd who make full use of the well-stocked bar (with a huge range of shooters) and all-day, easygoing menu (currently being revamped at the time of going to press). Regular club nights, late licence at weekends.
The large alfresco terrace is paradise for sun-worshippers, people-watchers and smokers alike.

GASCOYNE PLACE
1 Sawclose, BA1 1EY. Tel: 01225 445854, web: www.gascoyneplace.co.uk
• Tasteful, easy-going café bar/restaurant hybrid catering to a tasteful, easy-going crowd. Stylish, novel design twists proliferate throughout this split-level oasis, offering a choice between buzzing subterranean lounge bar, cool mezzanine, cosy snug and elegant supper rooms. The wine list is massive, there’s an extensive bar selection (including cocktails) and bar food ranges from a bowl of homemade chips with mustard mayo to gourmet burgers, focaccia sandwiches and cheese/charcuterie sharing platters.
Free live jazz every Sunday.

GRAPPA
3 Belvedere, Lansdown, BA1 5ED. Tel: 01225 448890
• There’s been a recent change of ownership, but the spirit of this subtly chic, continental-style hangout with a nouveau-boho atmosphere remains intact. The bar offers a big selection of new and old world wines, cocktails, continental lagers, beers and all manner of spirits and liqueurs – plenty to keep everybody happy, then – while on the food front, find huge, colourful platters of Mediterranean antipasti to share.
Stylish pizzeria upstairs.

GREEN PARK BRASSERIE
Green Park Station, BA1 1JB. Tel: 01225 338565, web: www.greenparkbrasserie.com
• Occupying the magnificently restored booking hall of Green Park Station, the GP Brasserie specialises in reasonably priced quality food and wine in informal yet professional surroundings. A well-stocked bar features Budvar, San Miguel and Butcombe Bitter on draught alongside 10 wines by the glass, 40 by the bottle and an extensive range of spirits, and there’s live jazz Wed-Sat evenings.
Heated alfresco areas to the front and rear, but smokers take note: you can only puff away at the front.

HA! HA! BAR AND CANTEEN
Tram Shed, Walcot St, BA1 5BD. Tel: 01225 421200, web: www.hahaonline.co.uk
• This modern uber-bar offers huge, consistently good globe-straddling menus, all based around seasonal produce and British ingredients and served up in vibrant, crowd-pleasing surroundings. Meanwhile, the vast bar selection keeps the wheels nicely oiled, while lots of events/promotions and live DJs every Sat eve keep attention levels up.
Heated alfresco terrace out front. Diners Card: 25% off total bill.

HUDSON BAR AND GRILL
14 London St, BA1 5BU. Tel: 01225 332323
• Based in a refurbished 250-year-old pub at the top of Bath’s artisan quarter, the atmospheric street level bar offers classic cocktails, interesting ales and a confidently eclectic wine list in low-lit sofa-strewn surroundings, while the casual but stylish grill room upstairs concentrates on serving up great steaks, gourmet burgers, seafood, salads etc in slightly more traditional (though contemporary) restaurant surroundings.
Full restaurant menu can also be enjoyed in the bar area.

LOUNGE
43 St James Parade, BA1 1UQ. Tel: 01225 424321
• Lively cocktail bar with smart booth seating upstairs, a cosy vaulted area downstairs, an extensive wine/beer range and pretty sturdy (largely Med-themed) food to boot.
Platinum Cardholders receive 15% off total bill at all times.

MOON AND SIXPENCE
6a, Broad St. Tel: 01225 460962, web: www.moonandsixpence.co.uk
• Set to reopen following an extensive refurbishment in August 2008 - check Venue’s food and drink pages for regular updates.

NEW
OPA
14 North Parade, BA2 4AJ Tel: 01225 317900
• Glamorous Greek-themed bar/restaurant with a full-on party atmosphere, live music every Sunday evening and food – like the regulars – that’s loud, proud and sexy. Meanwhile, the glorious alfresco area makes full use of the glorious riverside location.
Platinum Cardholders & up to three guests receive 25% off food bill & 15% off bar tab (minimum spend £20).

PULP
Monmouth St, BA1 2AN. Tel: 01225 466411
• A Latino-themed paradise, popular with party-goers at the weekends but offering a more relaxed, intimate feel midweek. There’s an extensive, all-encompassing cocktail list mixed up by pleasant, highly skilled bar people while food comes from a menu including burgers, steaks, salads and light bites, available all day.
Pulp’s trademark tipple, the caipirinha, is mixed with cachaça harvested from Las Iguanas’s own sugar cane plantation outside Rio.

NEW
RESTAURANT DE L’ARCHE
2-3 Queen St, BA1 1HE. Tel: 01225 444403, web: www.restaurantdelarche.co.uk
• Stylish, convivial French restaurant with a chic, unique oyster and champagne bar tucked away upstairs. Très glam.
Housed in what must be one of Bath’s prettiest original townhouses.

REVOLUTION
George St, BA1 2EB. Tel: 01225 336168, web:www.revolution-bars.co.uk
• Spacious, hip hangout (part of a huge, um, revolutionary chain) with a hip, striking bar largely revolving around vodka, cocktails and shooters, with suitably funky menus to match. Visit the website for events/DJs/party nights/drinks promotions etc.
Pavement tables get very popular during summer months. Platinum Cardholders receive 2-4-1 on food at all times and enjoy the same benefits/promotions as Revolution Cardholders.

SLUG AND LETTUCE
5-6 Edgar Buildings, George St, BA1 2EE. Tel: 01225 789050
• Spacious café bar/brasserie/pub/restaurant enjoying an advantageous vantage point at the axis of the George St/Milsom St cross. Chunky, affordable food served all day long, with an impressive commitment to responsible sourcing which lifts the selection up and away from standard ‘big bar’ humdrum, while drinks promotions such as ‘Fine Wine Wednesdays’ (all bottles £11.95), ‘Champagne Fridays’ (a bottle of fizz to kick-start your weekend, £20) and cocktail/pitcher Happy Hours (cocktails £3 Mon-Fri, 5-8pm) keep regulars buzzing around the well-stocked bar.
When the sun comes out, make the most of the people-watching opportunities from the tables on the street out front, or kick back in the back garden.

SUB 13
4 Edgar Buildings, BA1 2EE. Tel: 01225 466667
• For keeping the ‘Sex and the City’ flag flying for all, we salute Sub 13. This classy bar has a small but progressive cocktail menu featuring fresh fruit rather than garish-coloured bases, an impressive wine list and excellent range of champagnes, and offers an intimate alternative to the larger bars that dominate George Street.
Look out for sculptures and artwork amid the shrubbery while you’re puffing away in the gorgeous little garden out back.

NEW
VELO LOUNGE
30 Moorland Rd, Oldfield Park, BA2 3PW. Tel: 01225 344663, web: www.thelounges.co.uk
• Once a bike shop, now a warm and welcoming book-lined bar-diner, sturdily furnished and effortlessly oozing bonhomie: Velo Lounge has brought the genuine ‘neighbourhood bistro’ experience to Bath, offering menus that start with breakfast and skip along through wrap/panini/light bite any-timers, with burgers, steaks and heartier fare providing substantial foundations and tapas for the grazers, all at very realistic, downhome prices. The house wine is excellent, cocktails go large for minimum prices, and coffee is the real McCoy.
Board games, daily papers and regular quiz nights keep attention levels up.

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