Top Bars in Nottingham – Most Viewed (2025)

Step into The Alchemist Nottingham and you’re entering something rather different: part cocktail theatre, part dinner destination, part immersive bar experience. Located in a striking listed building at 11 King Street (NG1 2AY) in the city centre, the venue occupies a historic space with the kind of grandeur that the brand leans into heavily. From the moment you arrive you can feel the drama: gothic architecture, richly textured interiors, and cocktails served with pyrotechnics, fog, smoke and “lab-themed” presentation. For example, the famed “Cherry Poppins” (raspberry gin, citrus, strawberry topped with a cherry fog bubble) gets rave reviews for its spectacle. The menu matches the visual showmanship. It’s all-day dining, meaning you’ll find brunch (weekends from 10am), lunch, dinner and late-night eats. Dishes include playful takes on familiar favourites — black charcoal-battered fish & chips, katsu curry, smoking boards of chicken/salmon/lamb, and more. Drinks are central. You’ll find a wide selection of cocktails (many of them dramatically presented), themed brunch drink packages (such as “Icons Cocktail Brunch” where you pick 3 cocktails + a brunch dish) and an atmosphere that encourages exploration. The building itself has a story: described in a trade article as a “copper-cased wonderland” inside the former Prudential Assurance building (1893, by Alfred Waterhouse) on King Street. The heritage fits the brand’s aesthetic of “alchemy”, mystery and performance. If you’re in Nottingham for a celebration, a quirky night out or just want something beyond the standard bar, this is a strong pick. Expect lively music, a stylish crowd, and service that leans into the theatrical. If you prefer a quiet pub vibe, this forsees more flair than your average corner bar.

Nestled in the heart of Nottingham’s Lace Market/Bridlesmith Walk district, Junkyard is a standout for anyone who takes their beer seriously—or just wants a great spot to hang out. With the official address at 12 Bridlesmith Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2FZ, the place boldly calls itself “the friendly neighbourhood craft beer bar” open seven days a week. Walking in, you’ll notice immediately the proud display: around fifteen taps pouring the best of American, British and European craft keg brews, alongside two full-fridge walls of bottles and cans for takeaway or to enjoy on site. In short: if you like exploring craft beer styles, rare releases or simply looking for something different, this is the kind of bar that delivers. But beer isn’t the only star. Junkyard pairs its brew credentials with good food—bar snacks, grazing plates, simple sharing dishes and occasionally more substantial meals. For example, one review described sandwiches, fries with seasoning options, and a menu of ‘graze’ plates in a laid-back environment. The décor leans comfortable yet industrial-chic: exposed brick walls, wooden tables, an L-shaped floor plan (per older review), and a hidden backyard/patio for outdoor chilling. The vibe is flexible: by day it works as a café-bar (they serve locally roasted coffee) and by evening it shifts into a full-on craft-beer stop with plenty of character. Proximity to the city centre means you’re well placed to drop in before or after other activity, but once you’re there it’s easy to just stay and explore the beer list. In summary: Junkyard offers a nuanced combination of serious craft-beer provision + relaxed social atmosphere. It’s not flashy cocktails or high-end wine lists dominating, but rather great beer, chilled surroundings and good food, in a neighbourhood setting rather than nightclub mania. If you’re into craft beer, new flavours, a comfortable bar with character in Nottingham — this is a strong pick.

Nestled down the alleyway of Hurts Yard between the city’s Market Square and Upper Parliament Street, 400 Rabbits offers a bold and playful take on the cocktail bar scene. Since opening in November 2015 as Nottingham’s first dedicated mezcal-eria and tequila cocktail den, the venue has carved out a niche for agave-spirit aficionados and curious drinkers alike. From the outside the bar may appear modest, but inside you’ll find vibrant décor, Aztec-mythology inspired touches (the story of the 400 rabbits who drank agave under the care of the goddess Mayahuel) and a drinks-menu that leans heavily into terroir, flavour and styles of agave spirits. The team here are passionate — expect knowledgeable bartenders, a willingness to talk through unfamiliar tequilas or mezcals, and a strong sense of community with regulars, visitors and the “Bunny Believers” who espouse the bar’s fun mythos. The cocktails range from clever takes on classics (a Tommy’s Margarita with agave nuance) to their own creations like the “Jessica Rabbit” or the “Mezcal Mangarita”. The overall feel is more laid-back chic than noisy club — though on weekends you’ll find the bar livens up and the alley just outside pulses with pre-club energy. One Reddit user summed it up: “400 Rabbits and Pepper Rocks are a good shout … their cocktails aren’t just disco bevs (juice / syrup / booze) – proper drinks!” If you’re looking for a casual day-time drink, you’ll still find 400 Rabbits welcoming (they emphasise walk-in). At night, expect a tighter space, a more energetic atmosphere, and plenty of agave-centric flair. For anyone interested in tequila/mezcal or just wanting a cocktail bar with character in Nottingham city centre, this one stands out.

Tucked away in the heart of Nottingham’s Hockley district, The Hockley Arts Club offers a layered night out with style, substance and a touch of theatre. Housed in a beautifully preserved Grade-II listed former lace showroom, the venue spreads over multiple floors — each with its own distinct character. On the main floor (named “Stockholm” in some listings) you find a relaxed yet stylish bar space, perfect to begin your evening with a craft cocktail or a fine wine. The middle floor — the “Blue Rooms” — features cosy leather-sofa seating, regal booths, vintage chipped wood and ambient lighting: ideal for intimate gatherings and table service charcuterie boards. At the very top sits the ultra-instagrammable “Electric Garden” — a rooftop-inspired bar with neon blossom trees, fairy lights and its own entrance. Cocktail-wise, The Hockley Arts Club takes its craft seriously. Expect imaginative mixes, seasonal menus, and plenty of flair from award-winning bartenders. Non-alcoholic and low-ABV options are well-represented too, and the food side includes sharing boards, charcuterie and occasional bottomless brunch/charcuterie deals. The atmosphere effortlessly shifts as the evening progresses: from sophisticated sipping, to relaxed lounge, to more energetic weekend rhythms with DJs and dance in the later hours. With its hidden-door vibe (the entrance changed to 25 Warser Gate recently) and location in one of Nottingham’s most creative quarters, this bar strikes the balance between boutique cocktail experience and social nightlife destination. Whether you’re after a date-night, a pre-club drink, or a stylish lounge stop, The Hockley Arts Club delivers something beyond the ordinary.

Tucked away just off the bustling Trinity Walk in the heart of Nottingham, the Nottingham Secret Garden is a charming hideaway with a twist: your journey in begins down an unexpected little alleyway, and your drink is served beneath a canopy of lights and greenery. Located at 17 Trinity Walk (also listed as 17 ¾ Trinity Walk) NG1 2AN, the venue is built around an open-air (though roof-covered) garden space that transitions into softly themed interiors. The experience is part cocktail bar, part outdoor terrace, and part social stay-a-while destination. According to their booking page, the garden is “an outdoor only venue … most of the tables have a roof and heaters” so you’re comfortable even when the weather isn’t at its best. Decoratively, reviewers mention quirky touches: antique bikes, coloured lights, floral accents and a hidden bar nestled beyond the garden. Reviewers call it “like a magical mystery summer venue crossed with an Alice in Wonderland haven.” On the drinks front: the venue offers classic and signature cocktails, sharing pitchers, and draft-beer options served on the patio. Sessions are booked in 90-minute slots with a prepaid bar tab system (which comes off your bill). It’s also used for DJ events & nightlife. If you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon or early evening drink, the garden vibe is ideal. Later on, with the DJ sessions, it shifts into a livelier bar-scene. It's less about heavy pub food and more about stylish drinks, social atmosphere and an outdoor/covered-garden novelty in the city centre.

Malt Cross is a truly singular destination nestled in the heart of Nottingham, in a building with as much character as you’ll find in the city. Located at 16 St James’s Street (off the Old Market Square), this former Victorian music hall dates from 1877 and is a rare survivor of its type. Walking in feels like entering a grand social space from another era: high-arched glazed roof, timber beams, balcony seating, and even cellars and caves beneath. Today it functions as a lively pub and café-bar, run with community values (in partnership with the YMCA Robin Hood Group) while still pulsing with genuine pub life. Expect a wide selection of real ales that change regularly, craft beers, continental lagers, fine wines, vegetarian and vegan food, and occasional live music, events and workshops. The building’s history adds another layer: the glass vaulted roof was engineered with laminated timber arches and is praised architecturally. Malt Cross is more than just a pub—it’s an experience. You can enjoy a relaxed drink on a weekday afternoon, soak up the heritage feel, climb the stairs to the mezzanine level, or join one of their themed nights (gin tastings, quiz nights) in a space that exudes charm. As a historic venue with a community focus, it blends heritage, hospitality and good times seamlessly.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is the Nottingham pub people tell stories about. Hugging the sandstone of Castle Rock, its rooms are literally carved into the cliff—arched cave ceilings, rough-hewn walls, snug booths, and little nooks that feel more like a labyrinth than a lounge. The building’s age is part of the mystique: it’s widely known as England’s oldest inn, with lore stretching back to the 12th century and the days of crusaders departing from Nottingham Castle above. Inside, each room has character. The Rock Lounge glows with warm wood and leather banquettes; the “Haunted Snug” is compact and atmospheric; and you’ll spot curios dotted around—including the famously “cursed” ship model that tradition says no one should clean. Despite the folklore, the vibe is friendly and down-to-earth: a proper British pub where you can tuck into classic fare and sample cask ales after exploring the castle or city centre. It’s bigger than it first appears from the white-washed exterior. Stairways and passages wind through several levels, linking cosy bars to a small terrace and beer garden outside—the perfect perch on a sunny day to admire the rock face and the quirky roofline. Dog-friendly and welcoming to visitors, the Trip is as much a slice of living history as it is a place for a pint. Whether you come for the legends, the caves, or a hearty plate and a well-kept ale, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve stepped through a doorway in time.