Unmarked doors and no signs of life, small clues and vague directions –  finding the entrance to a secret cocktail bar is only the beginning of their charm.

My first experience of a secret bar was in Bristol a couple of years ago. I knew the rough location from word of mouth, but the only specific clue was to “look out for the bowler hat”. We eventually found said hat on a discreet hanging shop sign, above an unmarked black door, up a side street off the Triangle. We rang the buzzer and waited slightly nervously, but were soon warmly welcomed into Hyde & Co. It’s a 1920s speakeasy style bar, with decadent furnishings and tables tucked into cosy nooks and crannies. Table service and complimentary bar snacks add to the feeling that you’re somewhere really quite special, along with of course some truly excellent cocktails.

It was such a refreshing novelty to not have a shop front laden with advertising, deliberately enticing customers in, but instead waiting quietly to be found. Secret bars are a guaranteed way to impress a date or your friends and add some extra excitement to the night. I thought I’d recommend a few of my absolute favourites – if you’ve never been to one before then you’re missing out!

Top 3 favourite secret bars

1. Hyde & Co, Bristol – as mentioned above; an intimate prohibition style bar.
2. The Milk Thistle, Bristol – full of character that makes you feel like you’re deep in the English countryside rather than in a bustling city centre. It was a knowledgeable bartender that made this a stand-out visit, offering Jonny an off-menu classic cocktail to suit his tastes.
3. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh – masquerading as a barbers shop from the outside, with an inner entrance through a bookcase door, Panda & Sons has some truly unusual cocktails on offer. Billowing flavoured smoke and a cocktail in a teacup were just two things we experienced!

I would highly recommend any of the above cocktail bars. Regarding other secret bars in Bristol, I’ve also visited Red Light which has a more modern feel but still another quirky entrance. I’ve yet to visit Her Majesty’s Service and Hausbar. I’d also love to visit some of London’s secret bars but I have no clue where to start!

I’d love to know your own recommendations, whatever city they might be in.

Alexa