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Bars & After Dark: A Guide to Bath’s Evening Scene

Bath by day is Roman ruins and honey-coloured stone. Bath by night is something else entirely: candlelit cocktail bars tucked into old stone cellars, a converted church pouring botanical gin, and centuries-old pubs still packed with locals. The best part? From either of our apartments, you’re never more than a few minutes’ walk from any of it. Planning a full day out too? Take a look at our two-day itinerary for a weekend in Bath for how evenings like these fit into a longer trip.

Whether you’re after expertly made cocktails, a proper pub, live music or somewhere to celebrate, here’s our guide to the best bars in Bath.

For Cocktails

The Bootlegger, on George Street, serves more than 90 handcrafted cocktails alongside a collection of over 100 gins, with regular live music and cocktail masterclasses that make it a popular pick for groups and special occasions. 5 minutes from Trim Street, 7 minutes from Westgate.

Tucked away near Bath Abbey, The Hideout is consistently ranked among the UK’s leading cocktail bars, with an inventive drinks menu and more than 300 whiskies for anyone looking beyond the classics. 5 minutes from either apartment.

For Drinks with a View

Sub 13 on George Street has built a strong reputation for creative cocktails, knowledgeable bartenders and a relaxed outdoor terrace that comes into its own in warmer months. 5 minutes from Trim Street, 8 minutes from Westgate.

Green Park Brasserie, set inside the beautifully restored Green Park Station, pairs cocktails with live jazz on several evenings a week for one of Bath’s most enjoyable evening atmospheres. 6 minutes from Trim Street, 5 minutes from Westgate.

For Wine Lovers

Beckford Bottle Shop combines a contemporary wine merchant with a stylish bistro. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, it’s an excellent choice for quality wines alongside seasonal small plates. 8 minutes from Trim Street, 10 minutes from Westgate.

For Elegant Hotel Bars

Montagu’s Mews at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers an extensive Champagne and cocktail menu in one of Bath’s most luxurious settings. 12 minutes from Trim Street, 14 minutes from Westgate — worth the walk for the occasion.

Emma’s Bar at the DoubleTree by Hilton features a relaxed Secret Garden terrace overlooking the River Avon, ideal for an early evening drink. 5 minutes from Trim Street, 8 minutes from Westgate.

For Something Different

The Botanist occupies the city’s historic Octagon building, transforming a former church into a botanical-inspired restaurant and bar. Downstairs, the hidden Beneath bar offers a more intimate setting with experimental cocktails. 2 minutes from Trim Street, 5 minutes from Westgate — one of the closest options to either apartment.

For Traditional Pubs and Live Music

The Bell on Walcot Street is a 300-year-old community-owned pub known for its welcoming atmosphere, regular live music and DJ nights, and one of the best places to experience Bath’s local nightlife away from the busiest tourist areas. 10 minutes from Trim Street, 13 minutes from Westgate.

Nearby, The Pig & Fiddle is a popular spot for watching live sport with a pint in a proper pub setting. 4 minutes from Trim Street, 7 minutes from Westgate.

For Dancing

Komedia Bath hosts regular club nights, comedy and live music year-round, and is one of the city’s main late-night entertainment venues. Right on Westgate Street — 2-3 minutes from either apartment, and pretty much on the doorstep if you’re staying at Westgate. Many of Bath’s cocktail bars also stay open into the early hours on weekends.

For Competitive Group Nights

Boom Battle Bar offers a lively alternative to a standard night out, combining cocktails with axe throwing, shuffleboard and augmented reality darts. It’s a firm favourite for birthdays, celebrations and group evenings, so booking ahead is recommended. 5 minutes from Trim Street, 3 minutes from Westgate. Planning a bigger group trip? Our guide to planning a group trip to Bath covers everything else you’ll need to organise.

Stay in the Heart of Bath’s Nightlife

One of the best things about Bath is how compact it is. Most of the city’s top bars sit within a few minutes of each other, so you can move between several venues in one evening without ever needing a taxi.

Hiding Space’s serviced apartments on Westgate Buildings and Trim Street put you right in the middle of it all, so you can walk home comfortably whenever the night ends. Planning a full day out too? Our guides to the best things to do in Bath and the best restaurants in Bath will help you make the most of your visit.

Ready to make Bath’s evening scene your evening scene? Book your stay at Hiding Space and be a few minutes’ walk from all of it — cocktails, wine, live music and everything in between.

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Hiding Space Team

We're a small, independent team running two boutique serviced apartment properties in the heart of Bath. We've been welcoming guests since 2017 — couples on weekend breaks, solo travellers, families, corporate guests on long projects and everyone in between. We know Bath well, and we write about it honestly. Everything in the Hiding Space Journal comes from direct experience of the city and the people who visit it.