Venue Magazine - Bristol and Bath's Magazine  
Eating Out West 2009
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Bars

 

Bath

ALL BAR ONE
High St, BA1 5AQ
Tel: 01225 324021, web: www.all-bar-one.co.uk

It may be a high-street staple, but the Bath branch of this booming franchise has a reassuringly independent vibe. An exceedingly well-stocked bar features an extensive wine list (all available by the glass) and continental beers (including Erdinger, Amstel, Leffe Blond), and serves coffee, tea, etc, all day long. Sturdy but stylish standards such as really good breakfasts, chunky sandwiches, grilled skewers and a well-considered tapas list (using locally sourced organics wherever possible) keep the kitchen busy, and wallet-friendly offers (Dine for a Fiver, or glass of wine for £1.95 at time of going to press) are constantly updated on the specials board and website. Over-21s only. Open Daily 11am-11pm (Fri-Sat 12midnight, Sun 10.30pm) Food served Mon-Fri 12noon-10pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-9pm


ARCH
2-3 Queen St, BA1 1HE
Tel: 01225 444403, web: www.restaurantdelarche.co.uk

Stylish restaurant with a chic, unique oyster and champagne bar upstairs. See Restaurants, English.


NEW
BELUSHI’S

9 Green St, BA1 2YJ
Tel: 01225 481444, web: www.belushis.com/venues/bath-bars

Busy bar catering to a young/clubby crowd (see website for the current programme of events and themed evenings). Food is sturdy, wallet-friendly and sociable: light bites, burgers, fish and chips, steaks, all-day breakfasts, salads. Open Mon-Thur 11am-12midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm Food served Daily till 9pm


BROWNS
Orange Grove, BA1 1LP
Tel: 01225 461199, web: www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

Enduringly popular large bar and brasserie-style restaurant in a gorgeous Georgian building with fab alfresco area with views. Check out the Martini Nights (Sun-Wed from 4pm). See Restaurants, English. Open Mon-Sat 10am-11pm (summer from 9am), Sun 11am-10.30pm


CAFE ROUGE
15 Milsom St, BA1 1DE
Tel: 01225 462368, web: www.caferouge.co.uk

Friendly, authentic French cafe-bar/brasserie/restaurant serving high-quality food in convivial surroundings. See Restaurants, French. Open Mon-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 10am-10.30pm


CENTRAL BAR
10 Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1RG
Tel: 01225 333939, web: www.centralbarbath.co.uk

Easygoing city centre watering hole with a big, well-stocked bar (wines, beers, spirits, cocktails) and an easygoing range of food to match, from breakfast until after sunset. The tapas range (£3.75 per dish, 3 £10, 5 £15) is very popular. Elsewhere on the menu, modern British faves are complemented by pan-global delights. Open Mon-Thur 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-late Food served Daily till 9pm


CHAZZ BAR
7 Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 444440, web: www.clarkesbath.co.uk

Cocktails a speciality at this small but perfectly formed homage to hip, decadent luxury above Clarke’s Restaurant. See Restaurants, World. Open Thur 7-11pm, Fri 4.30-11pm, Sat 6.30-11pm


GARFUNKEL’S
The Empire, Orange Grove, BA1 1LP
Tel: 01225 461465, web: www.garfunkels.co.uk

Bar with cocktail menu, separate lounge and dining areas at the elegant Bath branch of this chain serving up American-themed grub. See Restaurants, American. Open Daily 10am-11pm


GRAPPA
3 Belvedere, BA1 5ED
Tel: 01225 448890, web: www.grappabar.co.uk

Subtly chic, continental-style hangout with a nouveau-boho atmosphere serving cutting-edge cocktails, old and new world wines, continental lagers/beers and, of course, a massive selection of grappas, supplemented by antipasti platters (great for sharing), handmade pizzas and splendiferous sweet stuff. There’s a lovely pizzeria upstairs, but if you really can’t be bothered moving from your cosy table, food is served in the bar area, too. Open Mon-Thur 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12midnight Food served Till 10pm


HA! HA! BAR & CANTEEN
Tramshed, Walcot St, BA1 5BD
Tel: 01225 421200, web: www.hahaonline.co.uk

This modern uber-bar offers modern uber-menus, all based around seasonal produce and British ingredients and served up in vibrant, crowd-pleasing surroundings. From boisterous breakfasts to either speedy or lazy lunches, nouveau nibbles and traditional treats-with-a-twist (incorporating plenty of Fairtrade produce), there’s something for everyone here. Regularly updated offers include (at time of going to press) lunch for a fiver and two courses for £10 in the evening, but it’s well worth visiting the website for updates and vouchers. The vast bar selection keeps the wheels nicely oiled, and there’s a heated terrace outfront. Live DJs every Sat eve. Open Sun-Wed 10am-11pm, Thur-Sat 10am-12midnight Food served Till 9.30pm


HUDSON BAR & GRILL
14 London St, BA1 5BU
Tel: 01225 332323, web: www.hudsonbars.co.uk

Based in a refurbished 250-year-old classic pub at the top of Bath’s artisan quarter, the atmospheric (low lights, sofa-strewn banquette seating, etc) street-level bar offers really good cocktails, interesting ales and a confidently eclectic wine list. All food served at the Grill upstairs (stylish steaks, gourmet burgers, seafood, salads, etc) can be served in the bar if you don’t want to drag yourself away from your table. See also Restaurants, American. Open Mon-Sat 5-11pm Food served 6-10.30pm (last orders)


LOUNGE COCKTAIL BAR & PIZZERIA
43 St James Parade, BA1 1UQ
Tel: 01225 424321, web: www.loungecocktailbar.com

Lively cocktail bar (find 50+ on the menu here) with smart booth seating at street level and a cosy vaulted bar downstairs. The Medi-themed kitchen puts together a range of pastas, pizzas, risottos, panini, salads, grills, etc, with prices starting at around £7. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-12midnight (Fri-Sat 2am), Sun: private hire only Food served Till 9pm


NEW
MINIBAR

1 John St, BA1 2JL
Tel: 01225 333323

Stylishly intimate, one-room affair based around a sparkly bar that offers views into a gleaming galley kitchen. Subtle spotlights and full use of a glorious picture window have transformed what was previously a claustrophobic space into somewhere light, airy and chic. High chrome and leather stools facing mirror-lined walls offer narcissists the opportunity to gaze directly at the object of their affection as they pillage the well-stocked bar and graze on goodies from a ‘modern tapas’ menu, with every dish (£6-£7.50) as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. Open Mon-Sat 11am-2.30pm & 5.30-10.30pm (last food orders)


OPA
14 North Parade, BA2 4AJ
Tel: 01225 317900, web: www.opabath.com

Glamorous Greek cafe-bar and restaurant with a fabulous alfresco area directly overlooking the river. There’s live music every Sun evening. Food – like the regulars – is loud, proud and sexy. See Restaurants, Greek & Turkish. Open Sun-Wed 12noon-12midnight (food till 10pm, Thur-Sat 12noon-2am (food till 10.30pm)


PORTER CELLAR BAR
Downstairs at The Porter, George St, BA1 2QS
Tel: 01225 424104, web: www.moles.co.uk

See Bath Pubs.


PULP
Monmouth St, BA1 2AJ
Tel: 01225 336666, web: www.iguanas.co.uk

Cosy, popular contemporary bar with a chilled-out atmosphere. Food at this Las Iguanas ancillary (downstairs from the Bath branch, but still at street level on one side of the building) focuses largely on tapas and Mexican-styled munchies (nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas), but still gives great sandwich. Superb cocktails, too: unsurprisingly, those based around cachaça (the national spirit of Brazil) feature heavily. Open Mon-Sun 12noon-11pm (Sun 10.30pm) Food served 12noon-9pm


NEW
RAW

Sawclose, BA1 1EY
Tel: 01225 443352, web: www.rawbath.co.uk

Formerly known as Delfter Krug, and featuring a gorgeous sun terrace right at the heart of Sawclose. Popular with a young and funky/student crowd after sunset, when club/DJ events, a huge range of shooters and discounts at the bar keep ’em coming (and going) into the wee small hours. Menus still under consideration at time of going to press. Last year’s alfresco barbecues proved exceedingly popular. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-late


REVOLUTION
York Buildings, George St, BA1 2EB
Tel: 01225 336168, web: www.revolution-bars.co.uk

Spacious, hip hangout (part of a huge chain) with a hip, striking bar largely revolving around vodka, cocktails and shooters, with suitably funky menus to match. Find nachos and sharing/nibbling/mezze platters; wraps, sandwiches and salads (inc low-carb options); hearty mains (gourmet burgers, proper pizzas) and sturdy Sunday roasts. See website for excellent offers such as (at time of going to press) 2-4-1 burgers every Mon, and £8.95 Steak Night on Wed (inc a drink), or sort yourself out with a Revolution Privilege Card for further huge discounts. Regular events/DJs/party nights/drinks promotions, etc. Open Daily 12noon-12midnight (10.30pm Sun) Food served Daily 12noon-9pm


SLUG & LETTUCE
5-6 Edgar Buildings, George St, BA1 2EB
Tel: 01225 789050, www.slugandlettuce.co.uk

Spacious cafe/bar/brasserie/pub/restaurant enjoying an advantageous vantage point at the axis of the George St/Milsom St cross. Broad breakfast/brunch selection served till 12noon every day, after which panini, wraps, salads, jacket potatoes, burgers, etc, cater for busy shoppers, while no-nonsense mains like Thai curry, fish pie and lasagne (followed by sturdy puds for the sweet toothed) satisfy larger appetites well into the evening. An impressive commitment to responsible sourcing lifts the selection up and away from standard big-bar humdrum, roasts go large on Sundays, kids get their own menus, and promotions like Happy Mondays (50% off all food bills, all day) Fine Wine Wednesdays (all bottles £11.95) and Champagne Fridays (fizz for £20) keep the bank account buoyant. When the sun comes out, make the most of the people-watching opportunities from the tables on the street out front, or enjoy an urban oasis experience in the back garden. Private hire rooms available. Open Daily 10am-12midnight (Sun 11pm) Food served Daily till 9pm


VELO LOUNGE
30 Moorland Rd, Oldfield Park, BA2 3PW
Tel: 01225 344663, web: www.thelounges.co.uk

Once a bike shop, now a warm, welcoming, book-lined bar-diner, sturdily furnished and effortlessly oozing bonhomie, Velo Lounge has brought the genuine ‘neighbourhood bistro’ experience to Bath. Experienced Loungers (the ‘brand’ now boasts small chain status) enjoy 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, while board games, daily papers and regular quiz nights keep attention levels up. Open Daily 9am-11pm Food served 9am-10pm


NEW
YEN FUSION AT THE EARL OF MANVERS

8-9 Manvers St, BA1 1JQ
Tel: 01225 464449, web: www.secondbridge.co.uk/earl-of-manvers.shtml

Stylish cocktail bar attached to the Second Bridge nightclub (next door), offering Asian-themed platters and small bites in the lounge or on the private alfresco terrace. Platters (4 items £13.50, 6 £19.50) offer mix’n’match goodies from a selection that includes calamari rings, wontons, prawn tempura and teriyaki beef/salmon/king prawns, while the sushi/sashimi selection starts at 2 £13.50. Open Wed-Sat 6pm-12midnight (Fri-Sat 1am), also available for private hire

 


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