No question, 5 stars from me. I love Amoeba!…read more If you're unfamiliar with Amoeba (shame on you) then it is a little hidden gem tucked away in a backstreet of Clifton Village. They have an incredible beer selection, but for me, this place is all about the cocktails - and boy do they do good cocktails! Amoeba is small. It is set over 3 levels; ground level with a few tables, the bar is upstairs and then downstairs you'll find a few more tables and nice terrace area. The decor is dark red and it's nice and dimly lit. They have a large blackboard on the wall with a list of all of their beers and an amazing selection of spirits behind the bar. I've felt instantly comfortable and every time Ive been to Amoeba. It always has a great atmosphere and it isn't what you'd expect from a cocktail bar in Clifton. It's nowhere near as pretentious or uninviting as Hausbar up the road. There's no door knocking here! They had a decent DJ (although he was sat down, ha) and the staff were great. I said I wanted a gin based cocktail with some kind of berry influence - I got exactly that! I've no idea what it was called, but it was GOOD! This is one of the best bars in Bristol, in my eyes!

Seeing as it's national poetry day I thought I'd do my review as a poem…read more Amoeba is a cosy cafe bar If you're in Clifton you would go far To find a better cocktail Or even a tea would never fail The decor is dark red and antique Fabulous and oblique There's plenty to look at And not only that The bar staff know every liquor And they'll make a perfect drink quicker So if you were um-ing and ah-ing Amoeba has the perfect thing!

At the very top of Whiteladies Road/Blackboy Hill, looking out to the downs, this bar was whispered…read moreto be a secret exclusive establishment which was very hard to get in to. My friends and I had long been planning a trip to try it out and finally made it last weekend. To get in you have to ring a doorbell and wait for the door to be opened - they assess the look of you from the video camera that's situated just above the front door. If they judge you worthy enough, you'll enter a bar that is extravagantly furnished and really well set out. The space is quite narrow, with a long bar along the right hand side, and comfy seats and tables on the left. The bar staff are cocktail wizards; there's an extensive menu of cocktails organised by the predominant ingredient. From champagne cocktails to whisky sours you'll be bound to find something that appeals. At £6 it's well priced - they could charge upwards of £8 in a place like this. The clientele are clearly the rich and beautiful of Bristol - if you want to know what a Cliftonite is then come here for some animal observation. It's no bad thing in my opinion though, as it just plainly suits the place. It's not as secret as it's rumoured to be, especially as they've started leaving flyers in equally high class establishments across town. If you're after a sizeable helping of class with your drink, Hausbar is the place to come.

Rumour had it that there was a secret bar at the top of Whiteladies road. A couple of months ago, a…read morefriend and I drove past the entrance, which is underneath an Indian Restaurant called Rajpoot. It took til last night to get around to actually visiting but we weren't disappointed. Hausbar, I have since learnt, is based on the Berlin cocktail lounges and is very popular with the upmarket Cliftonites. Having lived in Berlin for several months, I can see the similarities. When you arrive (only groups of less than 5 unless you've booked) you ring the door buzzer and are surveyed by the camera outside. We weren't particularly smart but we got in anyway. My cocktail was strong and delicious and not too expensive at £6. I'd come again, but I think I'd have to dress a little smarter to fit in with the affluent crowd.

Had a good laugh in here drinking out of a toilet looking vessel. I think I had a Thomas Crapper…read morecocktail but was a lot less *you know what* than it sounds! The place is decked out as you might expect it to be. Complete with telephone boxes, nice furnishes and it is comfortable in there. The criticism for me is the weak cocktails. Really hoping for something more potent....especially out of the toilet!

Late night cocktails bar has taken over from Charlies Bar and was also called Colour Inn,…read moreunfortunately an epic fail....Down to basics, cocktails are very weak and overpriced, have given this venue two chances now and each time I have been let down by what should a cool speak easy cocktail bar to hang out after midnight. Cocktails arrive with party poppers and sweets and even one inside a gumball machine which sounds cool and good fun but since it consists of 90% ice and mixers you leave totally sober and £30 poorer...seriously just go to Hyde & Co or Hause Bar

Seriously cool. Like seriously. It's hidden in the middle of…read morethe Bristol Harbour Hotel, and I would have had no clue it was there if I wasn't staying. All I'm saying is I'm glad I did. What a find! I was literally the only one in there (on a Monday) which was a shame as I imagine when the word gets out about this place, the cocktail crowd will flock here of a weekend. Some great sounding cocktails on the menu, along with plenty of classics. I went for the brass money, which was a deliciously delicate and smooth combo of Monkey Shoulder, PX sherry, aperol and grapefruit bitters, perfectly blended for one of the most moreish cocktails I've had in a while. Prices are dece too - talking £9 a pop for the specialities and £7-8 for the classics. Well worth a visit and a cracking addition to the growing Bristol cocktail scene

Formerly Hush Hush, The Bootlegger is a massive improvement and one of the newest and coolest bars…read moreon the Cheltenham/Gloucester Road stretch. My girlfriend and I were on our way to one of the other bars on Gloucester road, but couldn't walk passed Bootleger as it looked and sounded really cool from outside. The open front, tables on the street and electro-swing music were a perfect combo to draw us in. It is pretty unbelievable what they've done with the place. From being a pretty terrible club that was mainly used for birthday and drum and bass parties - it is unrecognisable and really cool! It is a really narrow space but every inch has been used really well. The staff were really friendly and you could tell try we're pretty excited to be working in the new bar on such an infamous party street! The draught options are pretty basic but good enough. They have a couple of really nice pale ales that they were happy to let me 'try before I buy'. We shared a Mac n cheese which was good. I'd say a little more seasoning was needed; it way lacking a little umph! But we demolished it in seconds! I'm really interested to try the rest of the menu coz it sounded great, if not a little familiar. Bristol seems to a breeding ground for pulled pork and American style dining/menus at the moment! All in all a great place and an incredible turn around from its former self. They should be proud and I can see them doing it well. It was busy enough when we were there, so it looks promising!

Sat with my friends having a few dark and stormy cocktails. Listening to blues music and watching…read morethe world go by on Gloucester road. This place is awesome and their food menu looks great, although I haven't eaten here - yet, but I will, soon!

I love the confused look on my friends' faces when I take them to Hyde & Co. They have probably…read morenever heard of it, despite having walked only yards away from its front door many times. And when we get near, it's up a few stairs then down some more, ring the doorbell, be assessed by the dapper barman for suitability, and then be allowed into this terrific bar. That's when their faces turn from confusion to delight, as Hyde & Co feels like a secret bar that only you know about. You have to go there to believe it, and even then you barely believe that you are sitting in a bar so special and so different, but so near to the more traditional modern day nocturnal happenings of Bristol. Hyde & Co easily deserves five stars, but unfortunately when a group of friends and I came to leave the bar after celebrating my birthday last night, we were handed a bill with four expensive cocktails on that we had not ordered. Despite protestation, the barman would just not budge, and a stand-off ensued (quite apt in what has been described as a speakeasy). After what seemed like an interminable time, the £27 was finally dropped, but it left a bitter taste after what had previously been a typically wonderfully evening.

Set against the backdrop of Hyde & Co's faultless 1920's décor people are provided with the perfect…read moreenvironment and sublime cocktails of Bristol's new speakeasy. Hyde & Co is a beautiful bar that serves expertly made drinks and provides a truly wonderful and unique experience for anyone looking for more from their venues. The attention to detail is exquisite, from the authentic 1920s New York cocktails to the fixtures and fittings. The staff are lovely and welcoming, which is a real treat on a Friday night. We actually met new and interesting people as well as having some fantastic conversations with the large group we arrived with.

Everything and anything you expect from a speakeasy cocktail bar. Very talented mixologist and very…read morewilling to please with customizable drinks to perfection. Extremely precise, kind and funny. Most fantastic playlist I have heard in a very long time at any bar. I Took some photos and filmed some film and they were very appreciative and excited about the beautiful results. The decor is specific. Not my personal taste as a vegetarian but because of the extra dim pretty lighting I got over it. The only thing I didn't like. Best I've been to in Europe.

Knock and enter. Pre book is advised. Knock at the door and you are greeted and welcomed. There is…read morea small sign outside that shows this place but it is NOT a loud bar. Could be described as a speak easy. Classy place to bring a date or your partner. Just pleasant! Great cocktails and not much of a beer place for sure. Romantic and classy.

Alterego is exactly how a sports bar should be, not all neon signs and cheesy American styling. It…read morehas a warm atmosphere yet has screens nearly everywhere you look. They show such a variety of games that if you team is playing then there is a good chance they are showing it. On a Saturday they will have many games on in an afternoon - when I last went they had four football games on, a rugby game and we also got Sky Sports News put on in another room. There's a good range of lagers but limited amount of ale which is a shame but only a small downside for many other pluses. There is a function room which is available for free and has its own separate bar and toilets. It's upstairs at the back so it feels nice and private. The place is a bit of a tardis and has lots of separate spaces so you can enjoy your friend's company without feeling part of one big group. On a Monday they do "toss the boss", flip a coin and if you win you only pay half price for your drink. It has certainly kept me in there longer than I planned in the past. They're also pretty flexible, I've been in with my kids when it's been quiet and we've had the top room to ourselves while watching the football - they even let us bring in our own food as they only offer crisps and nuts. Nice flexible guys running a great bar. Keep up the good work!

Despite being blatantly aimed at students, this Clifton Down-based bar seems to appeal to everyone…read morebut our soon to be learned friends. The reason I say this is that they have tons of cheap booze offers, some more quirky than others (Mondays, for instance, are 'Toss the Boss' when you can win a free round, thankfully via a toss of a coin). I only usually go here on Sundays, mainly because it's quite an agreeable place (certainly better than a chain sports bar), the booze is cheap (£2.50 for a pint of Heineken and 2-4-1 cocktails), and you can usually arrive just as the biggest of matches (Chelsea Vs Liverpool this weekend) is kicking off and still get a seat. This is partly because they have so many flatscreens TVs (four I believe) in a couple of different areas (main bar, cosy sofa back bit and upstairs mezzanine). One of the better places for a Sunday session though I've never been on an evening.

Blink and you'll miss! Look out for the red light (clue in the title) with a graffiti'd phone box…read more Place is awesome - excellent cocktails and muchos Pokemon banter (probably not what they want to be known for). In any case, friendly peeps, very cool - a must for lovers of cocktails. I may enhance my review when I'm not very drunk from their drinks (which is telling by itself)