Best Bars near Grand Arcade

Bar -OH occupies a compact ground-floor unit beside the Hilton Cambridge City Centre at 20 Downing Place. It serves house cocktails in novelty vessels such as shark, parrot, bathtub and games-console glassware, alongside classics and low-alcohol options. Free retro consoles and board games sit at tables, a robot doorman greets arrivals, and a small stage hosts scheduled live music. The venue runs daily from 16:00 to 01:00 with table service only. Walk-ins are accepted but reservations secure a slot for groups wanting to play games or stay for performances.

Revolution Cambridge pulses with energy in the heart of the university city, blending a stylish cocktail bar, vibrant restaurant, and late-night party spot across five distinct bars. By day, relax on the sunlit rooftop with brunch and coffees; by night, DJs ignite the clubroom and vodka bar for unforgettable nights out. Signature vodka cocktails, global beers, and sharing plates like loaded nachos and burgers fuel the fun, with karaoke pods adding a sing-along twist. Perfect for groups, celebrations, or casual hangs in Cambridge's lively scene.

The Cambridge Tap occupies a former bank building at 32 St Andrew's Street in central Cambridge. Opened by McMullen & Sons in December 2021, it serves as a two-level city-centre bar focused on burgers, handmade cocktails, craft beers and McMullen cask ales. Ground floor hosts the main bar and dining area while the upstairs room overlooks Emmanuel College and suits groups or private hire. The modern fit-out with exposed brick and high ceilings creates a lively, music-forward atmosphere suited to after-work drinks, casual meals and events such as Monday quizzes and monthly karaoke. Visitors typically spend one to three hours here as part of a city-centre visit.

The Castle Bar stands on St Andrew's Street in central Cambridge. Limited opening hours focus on Thursday through Sunday evenings and afternoons. The venue draws a steady local crowd alongside passing visitors seeking a straightforward city-centre bar.

Pint Shop in Cambridge is a charming gastropub that combines delicious food with an extensive selection of craft beers and traditional ales. It's a must-visit for foodies and beer enthusiasts alike, offering a warm atmosphere and a taste of local culture.

BrewDog Cambridge is a vibrant craft beer bar and restaurant located at 15 Bene't Street, in the heart of Cambridge. Known for its innovative brews and elevated food menu featuring burgers, pizzas, wings, and vegan options, it offers a lively atmosphere on historic cobbled streets. With a spacious beer garden and a commitment to quality, BrewDog Cambridge blends contemporary craft culture with the city’s rich intellectual heritage.

A Grade II listed 17th-century pub on Bene’t Street in central Cambridge, the Bath House combines historic timber framing with a standard Greene King menu of cask ales and pub classics. Visitors use it as a convenient stop between colleges, the market and King’s Parade, for a pint, quick meal or sports screening. The compact interior features exposed beams, panelling and modern seating after a 2021 refurbishment. It suits casual breaks rather than extended stays, with lively evening trade from students, tourists and locals. No large garden exists despite some listings; expect a small rear courtyard at best. The location places it steps from St Bene’t’s Church and The Eagle.

A 17th-century coaching inn on Bene’t Street, The Eagle stands opposite St Bene’t’s Church in central Cambridge. Visitors enter a Grade II listed building where Francis Crick announced the DNA double-helix structure in 1953 and where RAF airmen left preserved ceiling graffiti during WWII. The pub serves traditional British food and Greene King ales in a series of intimate rooms plus a beer garden. It attracts a steady mix of university staff, locals and tourists who combine a meal or drink with reading the plaques and examining the historic markings. The atmosphere remains characterful and busy throughout the year.

The basement nightclub at 22 Sidney Street hosts retro-themed nights with 70s to 00s hits on a light-up dance floor. Once home to the weekly Glitterbomb LGBTQ+ club night, the venue now runs Smash Hits Fridays and Rewind Saturdays for students and groups seeking straightforward dancing and drinks in central Cambridge.

Ta Bouche occupies a compact indoor space with a large outdoor terrace on the narrow pedestrian Market Passage in central Cambridge. The independent bar serves cocktails, draught beer and wine from the mid-afternoon onward, with extended happy-hour pricing that draws students and locals for casual drinks before later crowds arrive. The setting mixes a historic city-centre passage with modern bar fit-out; outdoor tables fill quickly in mild weather while indoor nooks and the bar counter handle overflow. Visits suit groups seeking affordable rounds rather than refined lounge seating or full meals, as the current offer focuses on drinks and light snacks. Service and noise levels vary with the evening, and the venue forms part of Cambridge's compact late-night cluster alongside neighbouring spots.