Top Rated Nightlife in Bristol

If Walcot Street is Bath's bohemian center, then The Bell is its heart and soul. Perhaps we could throw in eclectic and cosmopolitan there too. And, usually, crowded. Real ales flow freely, and there's live music three days of the week. If you like loud and seriously good music, try this place for bands, the bass is gravity, the drums are solid ground and the guitar, organ and guests give an atmosphere that we live to breathe. The place has a bar billiards table, an absolute rarity plus an outside courtyard that gets seriously packed on summer evenings, a games room, chess and good company of all ages and inclinations.

An top-rated gay-friendly bar in Bath, Mandalyns is also a happening nightspot located a little away from the city center. Though it's primarily targeted at a gay clientele, Mandalyns attracts a mixed group on most nights with a fair share of straight patrons out for a fun night out. The drinks list is extensive and also features a good selection of cocktails to keep the night flowing. Fun events like weekly karaoke as well as DJs bring out the best in the fairly young crowd. Regular drink promotions and a mighty two for one cocktail happy hour every single day keeps the crowds pouring in. Gay or straight, Mandalyns proves to be a sure-shot ticket to a fun night out.

When it comes to unwinding with a group of friends, the centrally located Cork comes out tops with its large space and an excellent atmosphere that draws the crowds. The bi-level establishment comprises a stylish lounge bar downstairs, a slightly more traditional pub upstairs as well as a delightful terrace for a more casual setting. The food menu is a mix of pub favorites with a smattering of international favorites like falafels and tapas. A delightful array of cocktails apart from the usual selection of beers and ales completes the drinks list. Need a place to party? The huge establishment is the city's favorite and has been host to numerous events.

Conveniently placed just moments from Bath Abbey and a short walk from the main shopping areas, All Bar One is an ideal place to meet up with groups of friends after a morning's sightseeing or gift hunting. All Bar One is primarily wood, with practically no extraneous decoration: wooden floors, wooden tables, wooden benches and a wooden-fronted bar. The large windows - spanning the whole width of the building - allow fairly easy vision both in and out. Understandably, this is not a place to go for any kind of privacy or intimacy. However, the long benches and sturdy tables give the place a slightly medieval atmosphere, ideal for large groups of people or impromptu parties. Service is brisk, and the menu offers a variety of sandwiches and platters. Not the cheapest place to eat and drink, but well worth a visit for the ambience. The wine selection rates among some of the best in the city.

Just around the corner from the Assembly Rooms and Fashion Museum, this isn't your regular smoky boozer. Big windows look out on to the street from both of the big bars in this recently revamped pub. And there's a function room downstairs. Bar food is of the modern, in a box, variety, and there's large screen TV for sports. There's a pool table if you need exercise and the beer is reasonable. Clean, light and airy with comfortable furniture, it's not a bad spot to take a break, and they occasionally show movies on the big screen. With a dedicated bar available for private hire, The Assembly Inn also doubles up as an excellent party venue.

Modern décor, a wide range of bottled lager and an excellent bar menu have made this a favorite with the young professionals in Bath. The affectionately nicknamed Slug has managed to create a modern drinking environment without losing too much character and making the place sterile. If you like to be able to reach the bar, then pop in for a drink during the daytime. Evenings are generally busy, and weekends are wall-to-wall bodies.