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Clifton Cocktail Club

A tucked-away basement cocktail bar in Clifton serving crafted, table-service drinks and intimate late-night evenings.

4.9

A subterranean, table-service cocktail bar tucked beneath Whiteladies Road in Clifton, Bristol, Clifton Cocktail Club offers crafted cocktails, attentive mixology and a low-lit intimate atmosphere ideal for late-night drinks and private hire events.

A brief summary to Clifton Cocktail Club

  • Basement, 135 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, Clifton, BS8 2PL, GB
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Tuesday 7 pm-2 am
  • Wednesday 7 pm-2 am
  • Thursday 7 pm-2 am
  • Friday 5 pm-3 am
  • Saturday 5 pm-3 am
  • Sunday 7 pm-2 am

Local tips

  • Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings and private-hire requests; the space favours booked tables over walk-ins.
  • If you enjoy learning, check availability for cocktail masterclasses or private sessions to see the mixologists in action.
  • Expect table service and a slightly dressy-casual vibe; bring minimal luggage or large bags since the space is compact.
  • Opening hours shift through the week; evening times after 19:00 are the primary service window on weekdays.
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Getting There

  • Public transport — local rail and bus

    Take a regional train or local bus to Clifton Down station or nearby stops on Whiteladies Road; from those stations expect a 5–10 minute walk over city pavements on inclines and steps with limited level access for some approaches. Typical bus fares within the city are £2–£3 single (pay by contactless or exact change), and train fares from central Bristol vary but local short journeys are commonly £2–£5 depending on ticket type; services run frequently in the evening but timetables reduce overnight.

  • Taxi or rideshare

    Metered taxi or app-based rideshare services from central Bristol take approximately 10–20 minutes depending on evening traffic and cost roughly £8–£18; accessibility varies by vehicle, and drop-off is at street level above the basement with a short stair or ramped approach into the building.

  • Walking from central Clifton

    Walking from central Clifton takes about 10–20 minutes on paved roads with moderate hills and footways; route terrain includes slopes and occasional kerbs, so allow extra time if mobility or luggage is a concern.

Clifton Cocktail Club location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Clifton Cocktail Club

The setting beneath Clifton's streets

Clifton Cocktail Club occupies a basement space under 135 Whiteladies Road, giving it a deliberate feeling of being tucked away from the bustle above. The entrance leads you down into a dim, focused room where low lighting and carefully arranged seating create a series of semi-private pockets rather than one single open hall. The effect is of a late-night salon: conversations sit close, bartenders are framed theatrically against backlit shelves, and the soundtrack is calibrated to the rhythm of cocktails being mixed.

A craft-led drinks programme

The bar places its mixologists at the heart of the experience, offering a menu of classic and signature cocktails built from a broad selection of spirits, fortified wines and liqueurs. Drinks are prepared to order with theatrical gestures and precision — a balance of technical flair and approachable flavours — so you’ll find both familiar martini-style serves and inventive compositions with layered components, syrups or clarified elements. The list also includes beers, ciders and a modest wine selection for quieter companions.

Ambience and design details

Design choices emphasise intimacy: velvet or leather seating, dark painted walls, polished wood and burnished metals combine to give the room a slightly retro-modern look. Small light fittings and candles soften corners, while a long bar runs through one side where mixologists display bottles, glassware and hand tools. The overall effect is stylish without feeling formal — appropriate for a date night, a small celebration or a focused evening of cocktail sampling. Beyond casual evenings, the venue offers private-hire options and occasional cocktail masterclasses, which shift the space from a nighttime lounge to a hands-on learning environment. Private hire allows groups to reserve pockets of the basement for celebrations; masterclasses put the choreography of cocktail-making front and centre, teaching construction, balance and presentation in a compact, social setting. Sound is close rather than cavernous: the hiss of shakers, the clink of ice, and the low murmur of conversation. Smells are led by citrus oils, bitters and warmed sugars beneath the occasional waft of hops or wine; textures range from chilled glass rims to the cotton of a cocktail napkin. Lighting shifts across the evening, becoming more shadowed and mellow as the night deepens, which enhances the subterranean, almost clandestine feel. The club suits small groups, couples and anyone who values crafted cocktails and attentive table service over loud, sprawling nightlife. Its scale keeps the experience personal: you’re likely to interact directly with staff who can recommend drinks and adapt recipes. The basement placement means the room is intentionally intimate rather than expansive — an evening destination for those who want considered drinks in a contained, stylish environment.

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