Daytime Drinking in Bristol

Prohibition-era speakeasy in Bishopston where 1920s exposed brickwork, vintage lighting, and a cracking live music lineup create the atmosphere that makes bottomless brunch feel genuinely special rather than just commercially convenient. Every Saturday brings unlimited drinks alongside the speakeasy aesthetic — cocktails flow as freely as the live music, and the two-for-one deals throughout the week make midweek visits dangerously affordable. The independent spirit runs through everything here, from the carefully curated cocktail menu to the rotating bands that play regularly. Perfect for groups who want their afternoon drinking with genuine character rather than corporate polish. Bristol's most atmospheric bottomless destination by a considerable margin.

Brutalist 1960s icon opposite St Mary Redcliffe Church, recently reinvented by the World Famous Dive Bars group — the team behind Mother's Ruin and The Crown — into Bristol's most characterful late-night drinking destination. The covered terrace gazing out at one of England's finest Gothic churches provides a backdrop that no amount of interior design budget could replicate, while the Mediterranean-inspired tapas and handcrafted cocktails make afternoon sessions genuinely pleasurable. A 24-hour licence means sessions can theoretically continue until 4am, making this the rare afternoon drinking spot with serious staying power. The iconic yellow lettering has been preserved, the dive bar soul maintained, and the roof garden plans promise even more outdoor drinking to come. Bristol's most architecturally distinctive afternoon venue.

Clifton's premier cocktail happy hour destination with a massive menu of creative tipples and generous daily deals that make premium drinking genuinely accessible for extended afternoon sessions. The party bar atmosphere and banging soundtrack keep energy high from early afternoon onwards, while the bartending quality justifies lingering well beyond the happy hour window. Don't be surprised if the excellent tunes keep you there until the early hours — Be At One has a habit of turning afternoon visits into full evenings without anyone complaining. Perfect for groups who want their happy hour delivered with cocktail craft and proper party energy. Bristol's most reliably excellent afternoon cocktail deal.

Sleek neon-signed cocktail bar where happy hour brings half-price cocktails and seriously affordable bottles of wine and prosecco, making premium afternoon drinking genuinely accessible. The distinctive neon angel wings and glamorous interiors create an atmosphere where afternoon sessions feel appropriately celebratory, while the bottomless brunch offers free-flowing drinks alongside birdcage-served sharing plates. Gets properly Instagrammed on weekends but the quality behind the aesthetics is real — the cocktail menu is extensive and the bartenders know what they're doing. Perfect for groups who want their afternoon drinking to look as good as it tastes. Bristol's most photogenic happy hour destination.

Social darts in a carnival-themed bar in the Old City — paddles of wood-fired pizza, creative cocktails, and competitive darts combine into an afternoon session format that makes time entirely irrelevant. The action replay feature captures your group's increasingly chaotic throwing as the cocktails take effect, which is both entertainment and evidence. Walk-ins possible for smaller groups but booking recommended to guarantee an oche. The quirky carnival interiors and buzzing atmosphere create energy even on quieter afternoons. Perfect for groups who find standard bars too passive and want their afternoon drinking to come with a scoreboard and wood-fired carbohydrates. Bristol's most entertaining happy hour alternative.

Gloucester Road institution with an extraordinary range of draught ciders, craft beers, and cask ales alongside a reputation as one of Bristol's finest sports pubs — multiple screens, HD projectors, and sports table service mean you never miss a moment of the action. The weekly open mic nights, live music every Saturday, and pub quiz every Monday create a buzzing community atmosphere that makes afternoon sessions feel like participating in neighbourhood life. The broad drinks selection, affordable pricing, and genuine local character make this a reliable afternoon destination regardless of what sport's on. Perfect for groups who want their afternoon drinking served with live sport and proper pub energy. Gloucester Road's most beloved daytime drinking institution.

Retro arcade bar on Baldwin Street where 36 classic arcade games — Guitar Hero, Time Crisis III, Mario Kart — meet themed cocktails and stay open until 2:30am, creating afternoon sessions that have absolutely no reason to end. The neon graffiti walls, nostalgic gaming soundtrack, and creative cocktail menu create an atmosphere where afternoon drinking comes with built-in entertainment and competitive scores to settle. Works brilliantly for birthday groups, nostalgic millennials, or anyone who wants their afternoon session to feel like a genuine activity rather than just sitting in a pub. The combination of retro gaming, quality drinks, and late-night credentials makes afternoon visits here dangerously open-ended. Bristol's most entertainingly nostalgic afternoon destination.

Retro arcade games, craft beer, rotating street food pop-ups, ping pong, table tennis, and some of Bristol's best DJs — all open until 3am making afternoon visits dangerously open-ended. The King Street location puts you in one of Bristol's most characterful drinking areas, while the combination of gaming, craft beer, and quality DJs creates an atmosphere where time genuinely becomes irrelevant. Local craft beers from rotating taps keep the drinks interesting, while the street food pop-ups ensure you're fuelled for whatever the afternoon becomes. Gets progressively more energetic as the day progresses. Perfect for groups who want their afternoon drinking to come with entertainment options that don't require prior planning. Bristol's most entertainingly unpredictable afternoon venue.