9 bars in Bristol, editor-picked for bars open past midnight. Bars going past midnight on friday or saturday. All bars in Bristol.
The Apple ★ 4.5
Old City · Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SB
Hours: Mon-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.
Tip: Start with a half of something still and cloudy rather than a fizzy pint; deck seats go first on sunny evenings.
The Milk Thistle ★ 4.5
Old City · Quay Head House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 1EB
Hours: Tue-Thu 18:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-02:00; closed Sun-Mon
The Milk Thistle stacks four floors of hidden cocktail rooms behind an unmarked Colston Avenue door, Bristol's grand speakeasy with a whisky vault.
Tip: Ring the doorbell and book ahead for weekends; the vault below street level takes small groups for whisky tastings.
The Bank Tavern ★ 4.4
Old City · 8 John Street, Bristol BS1 2HR
Hours: Sun-Wed 12:00-00:00; Thu-Sat 12:00-01:00; food 12:00-16:00
The Bank Tavern hides down a John Street alley in Bristol with an award-named Sunday lunch so popular its roast bookings sell out a year ahead.
Tip: Sunday sittings for 2026 sold out again; weekday lunches need no booking and carry the same kitchen's cooking.
The Old Duke ★ 4.4
Old City · 45 King Street, Bristol BS1 4ER
Hours: Sun-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00
The Old Duke runs free live jazz and blues every night of the week on King Street, a Bristol institution in a cobbled-street pub dating from around 1775.
Tip: Music is free every night; get in before 21:00 on weekends or listen from the cobbles with the overspill crowd.
The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer ★ 4.3
Old City · 17-18 King Street, Bristol BS1 4EF
Hours: Sun-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.
Tip: Locals call it The Volley; once a rotating keg goes it is gone, so order the interesting line first.
The Beer Emporium ★ 4.2
Old City · 13-15 King Street, Bristol BS1 4EF
Hours: Tue-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.
Tip: It pours until very late for King Street; the in-house Italian kitchen means the last pizza lands well after midnight.
The Christmas Steps ★ 4.2
Old City · 2 Christmas Steps, Bristol BS1 5BS
Hours: Mon 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.
Tip: The pub anchors the bottom of the historic steps; Ahh Toots' cake counter sits across the lane for afters.
The Gallimaufry ★ 4.2
Gloucester Road · 26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AL
Hours: Sun-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.
Tip: A rotating pop-up runs the kitchen, so check who is cooking this season before you set your heart on a dish.
The Volunteer Tavern ★ 4.1
Old Market · 9 New Street, Bristol BS2 9DX
Hours: Sun-Thu 12:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00
The Volunteer Tavern hides a 17th-century pub and walled beer garden off Old Market in Bristol, pouring small-brewery casks away from the traffic.
Tip: The garden is a genuine secret sun trap; it sits two minutes from Exchange for pre-gig pints.