Cocktail barCocktail bar££MontpelierEvenings Tue-Sun; cocktails until late
Filthy XIII shakes award-listed cocktails behind a scruffy Cheltenham Road front, the Montpelier bar Bristol's bartenders drink at after shifts.
Signature drink: A bartender's-choice twist from the award-listed menu
Food: None
Tip: Trust the bartender's choice over the printed list; the room is small so weekend groups should come early.
Cocktail barCider taproom££St PhilipsFri 16:30-22:30; Sat 13:00-22:30
The Cider Box ferments and pours craft cider under a railway arch on Silverthorne Lane in Bristol, the weekend-only taproom for the orchard-curious.
Signature drink: A tasting flight of craft and traditional ciders
Food: Cheese pairings and events
Tip: It only opens Friday and Saturday; book a tasting flight or cheese pairing session rather than just turning up thirsty.
Cocktail barCider pub£HarboursideDaily lunchtime until 23:00; ciders chalked on the board
The Orchard Inn pours a wall of boxed farmhouse ciders in a Spike Island backstreet local, a few minutes from Bristol's SS Great Britain and its crowds.
Signature drink: One of about 20 boxed farmhouse ciders
Food: Rolls and simple lunches
Tip: Order a filled roll and a cloudy half, then drink it on the pavement bench with the shipyard crowd.
Wine barWine bar££BedminsterWed-Thu 17:00-23:00; Fri 16:00-23:00; Sat 14:00-23:00; Sun 14:00-21:00
Kask pours organic and natural wines from small growers at 51 North Street, the Bedminster bottle-shop bar that started Bristol's natural wine run.
Signature drink: A glass of low-intervention wine from the shelves
Food: Cheese, charcuterie and snacks
Tip: Kask2 on Cheltenham Road repeats the trick north of the river; take-home bottles are shelf price plus corkage.
Cocktail barCider bar£Old CityMon-Sat 12:00-00:00; Sun 12:00-22:30
The Apple pours dozens of farmhouse ciders from a converted Dutch barge on Welsh Back, the floating heart of Bristol's cider drinking culture.
Signature drink: A pint of still farmhouse cider on the top deck
Food: Bar snacks and sharing boards
Tip: Start with a half of something still and cloudy rather than a fizzy pint; deck seats go first on sunny evenings.
Cocktail barCider house£Clifton VillageMon-Fri 17:30-23:30; Sat-Sun 19:00-23:30
The Coronation Tap is Clifton's centuries-old cider house near the Suspension Bridge, pouring its exclusive Exhibition cider by the half in Bristol.
Signature drink: Exhibition cider, served in halves only
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Exhibition is strong enough that the house serves it only in halves; treat that as a warning, not a challenge.