The Best Cocktail Bars in the North East and Yorkshire
Paint the town red this winter!
Adam and Eve
3 Clayport Street, Alnwick NE66 1LA
A relaxed neighbourhood haunt in Alnwick, the cocktails here are creative and they use locally-sourced sprits wherever possible. Whether you stop by for a pre-dinner tipple or are finishing your evening with a night cap, you’ll find something to love on the seasonal drinks menu. Our recommendation? The Forbidden, made with rum, banana, salted caramel and Antica Formula.
Flight
188a Heaton Road, High Heaton Newcastle NE6 5HP
From the team behind local restaurants Nest and Hide, Flight is a welcoming, no-nonsense neighbourhood cocktail bar with plenty of cosy corners to tuck yourself into. The drinks list here is extensive and the team behind the bar love to play with flavours, so there’s always something new.
Dr. Inks
3 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 7EE
Inside this beautiful townhouse in Darlington you’ll find a wonderfully quirky cocktail bar, with cosy corners, chic interiors and (of course) an excellent range of cocktails. Totally Instagrammable, the team go to lengths to make each visit memorable and there’s a great range of mocktails too for any designated drivers.
The Champagne Bar by Ebony
8 Walkergate, Durham DH1 1SQ
Sleek, contemporary, and at the heart of Durham’s riverside nightlife, the glass walls here keep the space bright and airy. As well as a great range of Champagne and wine, there’s also an excellent selection of cocktails, both classic and signature. For the winter season, we’d recommend the Crème Caramel, a sweet take on a classic French martini, finished with a touch of nutmeg.
The Nuthatch
9–11 Bedford Street, Middlesbrough TS1 2LL
With more than 100 spirits from around the world, the cocktails at The Nuthatch are all carefully hand-crafted so you can watch the magic happen. The team here are passionate about what they do, so whether they’re showcasing a signature cocktail, or experimenting with new ingredients, you’ll be well taken care of.
Café Mercy
30–32 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6AE
Offering an intimate cocktail experience, Café Mercy is perfect for an evening out. Their creativity shines through, with their own selection of original cocktails from the Mirrorball Spritz (homemade limoncello, peach and jasmine soda, lemon, prosecco, pink shimmer) to the Peaches & Cream (made with bourbon, RinQuinQuin, peaches, vanilla, toasted almond, oats and whey milk). They also offer Negroni on tap, all day, every day, for those who prefer a familiar classic.
Mortal Wombat
99 Heaton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5NR
Perfect for the cosy months, Mortal Wombat have launched their seasonal cocktail menu. Offering a mix of classics and inventive specials, there is something for everyone. Why not try the Apple and Pear Fizz (liqueur, brandy, prosecco) or the Dry Blackberry Martini (gin, Cocchi Americano, liqueur, blackberry, rosemary)? Embrace the warm and intimate atmosphere with your new favourite cocktail for the perfect evening out.
Wren Bar
Foundry Lane Studios, Ouseburn, NE6 1LH
The team who brought you Cook House and Long Friday have embarked on a new venture: Wren Bar. This new space is an exciting next chapter, focusing on cocktails, biodynamic wines, small plates and house-made soft drinks. Guaranteed to be your next favourite neighbourhood bar, make sure to give them a visit.
Fossgate Social
25 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
This cocktail bar may be small but with a reputation going back more than 10 years, it has a loyal following (and an excellent menu to boot). There’s a regular cocktail of the week, so make sure to pop in and experiment with their most recent creations.
Mirage
8 Wednesday Market, Beverley HU17 0DG
A thriving creative hub in Beverley, Mirage is known for its vibrant live music nights and exceptional cocktails. Their interior has a distinct industrial vibe and there is also a great outdoor seating area just a stone’s throw from the Minster. On their cocktail menu, the Mirage specials are stand outs, with drinks like the Miss Yorkshire (raspberry vodka, lemon, sugar and rose water), and the Adam’s Apple (pear vodka with lime, syrup and apple juice).
Below Stairs
The Basement, 12 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS
Easy to miss and yet well worth a visit, the award-winning Below Stairs in Leeds loves to experiment with ingredients. Their new menu, Small Joys, has been released for 2025/6. Divided across a selection of life’s small joys, from their ‘little treats’, ‘moments’ and ‘nature’ sections, choose either a classic or an original. Also home to one of the top 10 UK bartenders, Lottie Barnard, we can guarantee you’ll be well looked after.
The Ticket Office
11 Station Plaza, Station Road, Ilkley LS29 8HF
Quirky and quaint, this cocktail bar in Ilkley can be found within the town’s historic railway station, and has plenty of vintage features to match. Perfect for a winter night out, get cosy in one of their quiet booths and embrace the intimate atmosphere. Ask the friendly staff for the cocktail of the week, or tuck into a delicious staple like their Electric Amber Old Fashioned (made with bourbon whiskey and maple syrup).
The Rhubarb Bar
1 Clifton, York YO30 6AA
Tucked inside the luxurious No 1 Guesthouse in York, The Rhubarb Bar is open to all and is the perfect retreat for a cheeky cocktail or two. A model steam train runs along the ceiling cornice, and the menu is packed full of delights like the Utter Shambles (made with vodka, vanilla, camomile, passion fruit and lemon), and the Yorkshire Iced Tea (a spin on a classic), inspired by the rich history of its home.
Bacchus
90 Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1HQ
A staple of Harrogate’s food and drink scene, as well as cocktails, at Bacchus you can expect more than 40 wines served by the glass, craft beers and plenty of nibbles besides. Their signature spritz always goes down a treat and the cocktail menu has a great range of options.
GEO
20 Sandside, Scarborough YO11 1PE
Head to the seaside – specifically to GEO in Scarborough – for a laidback bar and grill known for its fabulous cocktails and great views of the water. They offer a good blend of both signature and seasonal cocktails, and for the cold weather we would recommend the Winter Solace, a sweet and wintry blend of rum, pomegranate liqueur, blood orange, and orgeat syrup.
Public
Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 2LG
Tucked below the Grade I-listed Victoria Hall in Sheffield, Public is a tiny haven for cocktail lovers. No detail here has been overlooked – from the warm lighting and eclectic colour palette, to inscribed ice cubes and even a selection of their cruellest reviews printed on the menu – and the cocktail list is just as carefully thought out. Each cocktail is given its own moment to shine, with a detailed explanation of its ingredients and the story behind the drink.
The Brain Jar
Trinity House Lane, Old Town, Hull HU1 2JA
A fun and vibrant spot in Hull, the team behind the bar at The Brain Jar love to experiment, and head bartender Matt Smith made it to the final 20 of the World Class GB competition with his whacky creations. As well as wings, pizza and classic bar food, tuck into a range of regularly changing cocktails. Our pick for the season is the Girl Dinner, made with tequila, Aperol, ruby port, cranberry, beetroot, agave, and pickled onion.
Over and Above
7 Cheltenham Crescent, Harrogate HG1 1DH
A newly established independent bar, founded this year, Over & Above is tucked away behind a secret bookcase in the heart of Harrogate. Offering a relaxed environment, their menu focuses on certain elements of signature and classic cocktails. The bar was recently named on the prestigious UK Top 50 Cocktail Bar list (the first in North Yorkshire). We caught up with them shortly after opening to find out how the magic happens.
