British gastropubCraft beer pub££Old CitySun-Tue 12:00-00:00; Wed-Sat 12:00-01:00; roasts Sun 12:00-17:00
The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer runs 36 all-UK beer and cider lines inside a 1673 King Street building, Bristol's Grade II listed craft beer flagship.
Signature drink: Whatever rotating UK keg line is about to run out
Food: Modern British pub kitchen and Sunday roasts
Tip: Locals call it The Volley; once a rotating keg goes it is gone, so order the interesting line first.
Cocktail barBeer bar££Old CityTue-Wed 16:00-03:00; Thu-Sat 12:00-03:00; Sun 16:00-01:00; closed Mon
The Beer Emporium runs 32 keg and cask lines in vaulted cellars under King Street, the underground bar of Bristol's self-styled Beermuda Triangle.
Signature drink: A cask pour from the 32 underground lines
Food: Pepenero Italian kitchen with 20 inch pizzas
Tip: It pours until very late for King Street; the in-house Italian kitchen means the last pizza lands well after midnight.
British gastropubPub££Old CityMon 17:00-00:00; Tue-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-23:00
The Christmas Steps pours local craft beer in a c1600 building on Bristol's medieval stairway street, with a free jukebox and a serious kitchen.
Signature drink: A local craft pint on the medieval stairway
Food: Fresh, local lunch and dinner menu
Tip: The pub anchors the bottom of the historic steps; Ahh Toots' cake counter sits across the lane for afters.
Cocktail barBar and music venue££Gloucester RoadSun-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-02:00
The Gallimaufry mixes bar, kitchen pop-ups and nightly free music on Gloucester Road, the all-purpose local of Bristol's longest independent street.
Signature drink: A negroni during the free evening gig
Food: Kitchen pop-up residencies
Tip: A rotating pop-up runs the kitchen, so check who is cooking this season before you set your heart on a dish.
Cocktail barFloating pub££HotwellsMon-Thu 12:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-23:30; Sun 12:00-22:00
Grain Barge floats Bristol Beer Factory's pub on a 1936 grain boat off Hotwell Road, with deck views straight across to the SS Great Britain.
Signature drink: Bristol Beer Factory ale opposite the SS Great Britain
Food: Pub kitchen on the water
Tip: The top deck faces Brunel's ship; time a pint for golden hour and watch the harbour ferries cross.
Cocktail barPub£KingsdownMon-Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:00
The Highbury Vaults keeps a Victorian warren of snugs at the top of St Michael's Hill, the Kingsdown local where Bristol academics argue over ale.
Signature drink: A well-kept cask ale in the snug
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Find the model train that runs above the garden; the tiny front snug is the seat worth waiting for.