Party season is almost upon us and, following a couple of years of Covid-cancellations, for many of us, the next few weeks will no doubt be spent celebrating in style.
We have 8 must-try cocktail bars in Nottingham!
Nottingham has long been famed for its nightlife and high concentration of city centre pubs and clubs, something that has attracted visitors from far and wide. However, more recently, the spotlight has shifted to the cocktail bar and I for one am here for it.
So much is the success of the cocktail bar, the city has recently been enjoying the very aptly named Nottingham Cocktail Week. A celebration of the city’s finest cocktail venues, with many independents joining in to offer discounts, exclusive drinks menus and events.
With so many fantastic options available, you could never fit them all into a one-night cocktail bar-crawl, but here’s hoping those mentioned here will give you some inspiration if you’re out and about in Nottingham over the coming weeks or during the festive period!
Blind Rabbit
With a New York City theme, this place has an all-American “dive bar” vibe. Think neon signage, retro bar games and copious amounts of kitsch and grime, not to mention the amazing selection of cocktails (some served in extra-large stadium-style cups). Many of the drinks here are 2-for-1 almost all day, every day. The Long Island Iced Tea is a great sip, and you can even get your Coney Island fix with the Candy Floss-topped and aptly named “I Love Candy”.
The Hockley Arts Club
Hidden amongst the backstreets, The Hockley Arts Club is a bustling venue, spanning three floors. Each area has its own name and decor style, adding to the ambience and style of this creative space for social eating and drinking. Their cocktails have long been famed as some of the best in Nottingham, with quirky flavours, inventive names and creative add-ons; a personal favourite of mine is their “Twister”, topped with the ice-lolly of the same name. With Friday and Saturday 2-for-1 offers, this is definitely the place to be.
Penny Lane
A little bit of the seaside in the city, those of you who hail from Nottingham will no doubt have graced the Lincolnshire coastline (i.e., Skegness) at one time or another during your childhood. This place has all those nostalgic arcade vibes and more. Try your hand at the grabber machines, while away some time on the two-penny machines or place your bets on the Donkey Derby. Endless fun is obviously accompanied by some spectacularly, quirky cocktails; think inflatable cup holders, sticks of rock and ice cream floats.
Read More: 5 Fabulous Coffee Ships in Nottingham
Rescue Rooms
Famed for its gigs and concerts, Rescue Rooms has positioned itself as somewhat of an institution. Chilled vibes, dark corners, festoon lighting and top Indie Rock n Roll tunes makes this a little less flash than some places on this list, but no less enjoyable. They’ve recently relaunched their cocktail menu, including the quirky inclusion of Teapots. Served up in Rescue Room’s finest China, with a side of cake, these serve four to six people and come in a variety of flavours. The Rum Punch is a personal recommendation.
Tilt
An intimate, candle-lit setting, offering an array of finely crafted cocktails, Tilt offers solace from the bustling Pelham Street below it. With a vast spectrum of drinks, the Tilt team pride themselves on providing specialised, quirky beverages, whilst also still catering for the traditionalist. And if you’re looking for something specific, their bartenders are happy to help make your favourite, even if its not on the menu!
Tier
Combining cheese and cocktails could never been wrong, right? And Tier have done it splendidly. With classics, specials and premium beverages on offer, this cocktail menu is up there with the best of them and there is truly something for everyone. Then there’s the cheese. If you’re in need of some refuelling, their grilled cheese toasties and loaded fries are the stuff of legend. And if all that isn’t enough, Tier also runs a daily Happy Hour.
Tropichol Bar
Tucked away in Hurts Yard is Nottingham’s one and only Tiki bar. The brainchild of a group of friends, this intimate venue has an exotic feel that you usually only get with the hottest Hawaiian nights. Their cocktails boast some of the quirkiest flavour combinations I’ve ever tried and are presented in some of the most photo-worthy “glasses” I’ve ever seen. The American Beauty, for example, is presented in a bathtub with rose petals, and the Flaming Zombie is pretty spectacular too! This is without doubt one of my favourites in Notts right now and I urge you to pay them a visit if you’re looking for something unique and exciting!
The Walrus
This eclectic, underground dive bar is hidden in plain sight. With neon lighting, vintage accents, and beer pong tables, this is your place to go for a lively vibe. They also boast a playlist of 70’s disco, 80’s pop, 90’s hip-hop and nostalgic rock. And of course, there’s the drinks. TheKinder Bueno Martini is a true highlight, but the pièce de résistance has to be the “Ey Up Mi Duck”; there really could not be a finer example of Nottingham culture in a cocktail and it’s an absolute must-try.
Join Lucy again here next month with another post with some Nottingham recommendations! Follow Lucy’s Instagram page, @Lucylovemenotts!
