From chic cocktails bars to all-day ale drinking destinations, Gloucestershire is brimming with boozy boltholes to raise a toast and enjoy a drink.
So, whether you’re after somewhere new to try or want to know the best place for a banging beverage, check out SoGlos’s selection of 13 of the coolest places to go for a drink across the county.
The Town Owl Taphouse in Stroud
Passionate about well-produced local craft beers, The Town Owl Taphouse in Stroud features a rotating tap wall — providing a variety of styles including, lager, pale ales, IPA's, stouts, ciders, as well as a selection of wines, spirits and alcohol free options.
Set in a modern, no frills bar space, a visit to The Town Owl is sure to bring all the vibes you need for a chilled out evening catching up with friends — with furry friends also able to tag along!
Plus, proudly celebrating local businesses, The Town Owl welcomes visitors to bring along food from Stroud Market or Five Valleys food stalls; as well as hosting cheese and beer nights, Wine Wednesday's and sets from local DJs to really get the party started.
Téatro in Cirencester
For award-winning cocktails and a moodily glamourous atmosphere, head to Téatro in Cirencester.
Menu highlights include classics from cosmopolitans to espresso martini's, all shaken or stirred to perfection — or try one of its signature renditions such as honey rum rum with Kraken rum, apple juice and honey, or a gin jam with Penrhos raspberry gin, lemon juice and raspberry jam.
Be sure to take your glasses through to the piano bar for live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Coal Kitchen at Gloucester Quays
As well as its delicious food, a trip to Coal Kitchen pairs beautiful drinks with fabulous scenery with the restaurant overlooking Gloucester Docks.
The drinks menu is brimming with a huge variety of flavours, from fruity cocktails and winning wines, to bubbles and crisp gin and tonics — a bottomless brunch offering is also available.
Summer evenings are sorted with its huge outdoor seating area, accompanied by twinkling lighting to set the scene.
The Nook on Five in Cheltenham
Taking drinking sessions to new heights, The Nook on Five allows guests to view Cheltenham from a whole new angle.
The town's only rooftop restaurant offers an experience like no other. Enjoy a cocktail or mocktail as you take in the night-time skyline of Regency Cheltenham, or sip on a crisp pint of draught lager or bottled cider while soaking in the summer sun.
For ultimate romance, head out in time to catch an unmissable sunset over a glass of bubbles to toast with.
Roxy Lanes in Cheltenham
If sitting, chatting and drinking isn't quite enough for you, look no further than Roxy Lanes in Cheltenham.
Offering activities from air hockey and pool, to karaoke and tech darts, you can accompany your beverage by challenging your mates to some awesome games and bar sports — loser has to buy the next round!
Roxy Lanes even launched its very own beer pong inspired lager, only adding to its extensive drinks menu.
Café René in Gloucester
Dubbed 'Gloucester's best known secret', Café René is an award-winning pub that celebrates all there is to love about live music and entertainment.
The first pub in Gloucester to obtain a 24-hour licence and still have it today, the unmatched atmosphere when attending one of its free annual festivals is sure to have you coming back again and again.
Its coolest feature, the hundreds of old wine bottles lining the ceiling of which used to be a stables, it doesn't get much more characterful than this.
The Lounge in the Forest of Dean
Moonlighting as a piano bar each weekend, The Art of Coffee in Coleford transforms into The Lounge — a chic and sophisticated space, ideal for mates nights to date nights.
Open on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6pm until 11pm, The Lounge serves up cocktails, mocktails, spirits, beers, bubblies and wines, all serenaded every last Saturday of the month by a live pianist during Live @ The Lounge.
Don't miss its famous sharing platters stacked with glorious Forest of Dean produce.
The Dog House in The Forest of Dean
Foresters — and live music fans — flock to The Dog House in Coleford to catch the best local talent on offer over a freshly poured pint of real ale on keg.
The micro pub offers a unique and cosy setting for socialising with an authentic nod to what makes the Forest of Dean so special; its warm hospitality.
You'll be hard pressed not to leave with a story or two from a rambunctious regular.
The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham
Serving up fiery fun in spades, The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham's incredible selection of unique 'cocotails' are sure to add a spark to any evening out on the town.
Combining classic ingredients with the vivid flavours of Sri Lanka, the tastes are sure to blow your mind — not mentioning the wacky receptacles the drinks are poured into.
Try the Hit Me Up Mezcal for a kick of tequila with a Achcharu pickle garnish, or the Now Or Never Negroni for a splash of botanical gin alongside a sour lollypop for decoration.
The Black Bear in Tewkesbury
For a truly historic trip to the pub, the rescued and refurbished Black Bear in Tewkesbury is steeped in folklore.
Gloucestershire's oldest pub underwent a six-year restoration project to bring it back to life, but also keep its authentic features — a project that made owners confident that 'it's now in a state to be standing for another 700 years.'
With a menu teeming with drink options, it also hosts live music events and foodie pop-ups, so you never know what you might come across upon each visit.
The Lygon Arms in Broadway
Quintessentially Cotswolds, head to The Lygon Arms and pull up a chair in one of its cosy yet cool bars and eateries.
Perhaps its coolest feature, The Tavern by James Martin. The celebrity chef affiliated pub presents a wonderful place to relax and unwind over a drink with a loved one — complete with its own Hawkstone Brewery draught selection.
The Lygon Lounge offers chic soft furnishings with a warm and gentle atmosphere, with an extensive wine list on offer as well as Champagne supplied by its official partner, Laurent-Perrier.
Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden in Cirencester
Formerly The Scenic Supper, the unique dining experience thought up by Toby Baggott and Sam Lawson-King continues to inspire and delight as a destination celebrating seasonal and local produce from farm to table.
Now, Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden is a working kitchen garden in the heart of Cirencester Park dishing up a stunning array of hearty dishes alongside a drinks menu featuring chilli margarita cocktails, hot mulled apple mocktails and its garden collection of mixed drinks that put florals, herbs, citruses and berries on a pedestal.
Perfect for an alfresco drink, head to Roots + Seeds and admire the great outdoor surroundings of mother nature.
Memsahib’s Lounge in Cheltenham
The contemporary environment of Memsahib's Lounge is a coolly sophisticated experience with a distinctive spice of Indian flavour.
Mixing two Great British favourites, gin and tea, Memsahib's bar serves up Anglo-Indian signature cocktails that are made for the Instagram grid.
Order a signature teapot cocktail, which comes in a variety of flavours including cucumber with mint and elderflower tonic; blood orange with lime and tonic; and watermelon with aromatic tonic and pour yourself a unique liquid treat — with or without added alcohol.
