Cheltenham Festival is back from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 March 2025 — and when the last races have been run at Prestbury Park, the revelry is set to continue until the small hours.
So, whether you’re dressing up for Style Wednesday or hoping for a windfall on Gold Cup Day, discover where to let your hair down, have a few drinks and tuck into some fantastic food in SoGlos’s roundup of top Cheltenham Race Week 2025 venues.
Home & Botanic
With the bar open from 6pm, the celebrations start early at Home & Botanic. The venue plays host to the official Guinness after dark party, but it's not just the Irish stout on offer — with a range of spirits, champagnes and even a full cocktail bar, there's something for everyone.
The party goes on until 4am and there’s a room to match every mood. Step into the stylish Botanic room to enjoy gin and cocktails; sashay into the Piano Bar for some lively music from the perfectly pitched piano man; for a more relaxed vibe, the Bier Haus is a breath of fresh air; dance fans will love the low-lit clubroom playing house and R’n’B all night; while for disco divas, shimmy along in the Disco Disco space.
The Brewery Quarter
With boozy brunches; live music every morning and night; and a whole host of buzzing bars and restaurants to visit, The Brewery Quarter is one of the best places to party.
Fill your evening with theatrical cocktails and live DJs at The Alchemist, enjoy live music at both The Botanist and Brewhouse & Kitchen, or try your hand at social darts while sipping Race Week trophy cocktails at Flight Club. Head down to the karaoke room at Mr Mulligan's if you fancy singing the night away, or catch a quick game of mini-golf. Or for anyone who prefers a more chilled out vibe, grab a beer and watch every race live on the big screens at BrewDog.
Dunkertons Cider
With a host of craft beers and ciders on tap to raise a pint to celebrate or commiserate, the racing is screened all day at Dunkertons Cider on the edge of Cheltenham, if you fancy following the action away from town centre crowds — plus there's live music from Wednesday to Friday, from 7pm.
There's no shortage of food options either — from bao buns to burgers and Indian street food to crepes, with nine eateries to sample your way through.
Nagomi
Enjoy the authentic flavours of Japan and Korea, with Nagomi open until 11pm all week. Located on Clarence Street, racegoers can fill up on sharing plates or try out traditional Japanese and Korean barbecue on smokeless table grills for a bit of added theatre, with food being served until 9.30pm.
Meanwhile, the bar is serving up Japanese Kirin Ichiban beer on draught, saké and Korean Soju in different flavours, including a refreshing pomegranate.
Sam's Montpellier
Tucked away in The Courtyard in Montpellier, Sam’s Montpellier offers a range of small plates and sharing dishes from its innovative earth, land and sea menu that are ideal for a quick bite, or an extended dining experience to savour with friends.
The menu features fresh, locally sourced produce for a delicious dining experience like no other that's bound to perk up weary racegoers — and if you fancy a quiet place for drinks, its creative resident mixologist is on hand to stir up something special.
The Coconut Tree
A laidback place to celebrate your wins with epic Cocotails, relaxed street food and authentic flavours, not to mention a lively atmosphere, The Coconut Tree in St Paul's is a popular spot during race week.
It's shareable Sri Lankan street food dishes include kotthu, curries, devilled wings, crispy cuttlefish and SoGlos favourite, cheesy columbo, which are perfect for feasting with friends after a thrilling day at the races. Its sharing Cocotails, like the Wild Bling Ting which comes with a bottle of prosecco on the side, are just the ticket for toasting, too.
Turtle Bay
Let live DJs take you from the racecourse to the sun soaked Caribbean Islands at Turtle Bay, with a chilled atmosphere, great food and enough cocktails to shake a pineapple at.
Tasty Jamaican-inspired food is on offer here, with plenty to satisfy your Race Week appetite. Happy Hour lasts all day during the week, where cocktails are two for one. Choose from an extensive menu, including classics such as a Mojito or an Espresso Martini, or try creations such as 'Light & Stormy' or 'Watermelon Margarita'. Or, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, try the Bottomless Brunch, with unlimited cocktails, prosecco and Red Stripe for two hours, as well as a brunch dish, all for £37.50.
The Tavern
The newly revamped Tavern in Royal Well Place has new owners, menus and interiors. There's a wide selection of beers, cocktails and wines paired with comforting pub grub that'll make you feel right at home.
During Race Week, each day at the racecourse will be shown live on screens upstairs for those seeking a quieter spot to watch, with live music playing every evening, too.
MooMoo Clubrooms
For anyone planning to party into the early hours, MooMoo on Regent Street has three floors of fun with bargain booze and pumping music to really let loose and celebrate. Dance to tracks from the 70s through to the latest releases on the pop floor; hit the aura floor for dance and house music with light lasers and a CO2 cannon; or if that's not your style, there's also a smooth R'n'B room lined with leather furniture to unwind.
Drinks deals include four shots for £10 or two bombs — with choices including a classic Jägermeister or a Fireball cinnamon with Red Bull — for £6. MooMoo is open all week from 8pm to 4am.
The Exmouth Arms
On Gold Cup Day, head to The Exmouth Arms on Bath Road to finish the week on a high note as Kickback play live at 8pm.
Along with a pint, tuck into some proper pub grub, with a selection of creative burgers and mains being served from 6pm to 9pm.
Kemble Brewery Inn
On the edge of town, Kemble Brewery Inn is housed on Fairview Street in a quieter area, ideal if you’re looking for a less crowded place to toast your wins. Small and traditional, this cosy pub isn’t too far from the racecourse and has a friendly atmosphere.
Throughout Race Week, the pub is open from 9am to 1am, with a hot buffet served from 5pm to 8.30pm and live music kicking off at 8.30pm.
The Suffolk Arms
This friendly and independent pub on Suffolk Road will also be buzzing with live music during Race Week.
The Suffolk Arms' traditional food menu is served until 8.30pm, with dishes including lamb shank, fish and chips, burgers and the signature Suffolk Arms pie — which is even has a vegan version. The bar is open until 11pm, with a great choice of beers, wines and even a small selection of cocktails.
The Bayshill
If you can’t make it to the racecourse, you can catch all the action at The Bayshill, with the races showing live throughout the day.
Serving up traditional pub fare such as spaghetti and meatballs, bangers and mash, as well as their signature six-time-battered fish and chips, the Bayshill sits on a corner at St George’s Place and also hosts live music throughout the night during Race Week.
KIBOU
Splash out on the finest sushi and sashimi this Race Week at Cheltenham’s original Japanese restaurant, KIBOU. Dive into a decadent range of chef's specials, including rich seafood ramen, melt-in-the-mouth wagyu tataki and delicious anko rolls – and toast it all with chic cocktails, mixed especially for Race Week.
With a great selection of fizz, fine wine, Japanese beers and premium whiskies behind the bar, revellers can keep the party going until midnight.
The Clarence Social
Enjoy a sophisticated night with tapas and cocktails at The Clarence Social. Serving a range of new cocktails each month — there's something to cover all tastes.
Opt for a more chilled-out day by watching the racing live on the bar's big screens, then head down to the Speakeasy basement bar — open from 8pm — where the party continues until late!
Harry Cook Free House
Located opposite Montpellier Gardens, Harry Cook Free House is set for a busy Race Week, with live bands performing daily at 6pm, followed by a live DJ at 8pm, keeping the party going until late.
The pub even offers a bus service, so you can get to the Racecourse before the action starts, then get back to the pub at the end of the day for celebrations; all for £10, including a pint of Guinness!
COCO Cheltenham
Sip on cocktails and enjoy banging beats from the DJs in one of Cheltenham's coolest basement bars, COCO is open every night of Race Week.
Serving up cocktails and drinks galore, the bar is open from 9pm each night, to keep the party vibes going until the small hours.
No.38 The Park
Located at the bottom of Pittville Park, No.38 The Park is hosting live music and a post-race party every evening during Race Week 2025.
Finish the day in style by settling down for drinks in the Final Furlong Bar, or tuck into a meal at No.38's restaurant, all from 4.30pm to 10pm.
Circo Brasserie
Opening in August 2024, Circo Brasserie on the Bath Road is one of Cheltenham's newest eateries, aiming to bring a touch of the theatrical to its diners, with stunning circus-themed decor and a buzzy vibe.
During Race Week, aside from a banging breakfast, post-race diners can expect a varied menu with a European-Italian slant, from sourdough pizza and Wagyu burgers to homemade ravioli and fish of the day, with plenty of cocktails, beers and wines thrown in, too.
