Cheltenham Festival is back from Tuesday 15 to Friday 15 March 2024 — 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 round-up of top Cheltenham Race Week 2024 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 5am 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 Beer 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 incredible 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 brand-new 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 on Thursday and Friday.
Celebrate Saint Patrick's day on Thursday 14 March, with live music from the Steamrollers at 6pm. Finishing the week with a bang will be Supernova — who are performing from 5pm on Friday 15 March. There's no shortage of food options — from pizzas to burgers and from Indian food to crepes — there's plenty to enjoy.
Nagomi
Enjoy the authentic flavours of Japan and Korea, with Nagomi open until midnight all week. Right next door to Pyesta 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 from their brand-new menu being served until 9.30pm.
The bar is open until 12am, whisking revellers away to the Far East with Japanese Kirin Ichiban beer on draught, saké and Korean Soju in different flavours, including pomegranate, all on offer.
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.
The Urban Fox
Raise your glasses to a win at this chic cocktail hotspot in Montpellier. Open from 5pm every day during Race Week, no bookings are needed so thirsty racegoers can wander in, grab a seat and enjoy.
The Urban Fox also has live music from Gardner & Rose on Gold Cup Day on Friday 15 March 2024 from 7pm.
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 new creations such as 'Light & Stormy' or 'Watermelon Margarita'. Or, if
you're feeling a bit more adventurous, try Bottomless Brunch, with unlimited
cocktails, prosecco and Red Stripe for two hours, as well as a brunch dish, all
for £35 (£45 on Gold Cup day).
The Cheltenham Trust
Just outside of town, The Heritage Café next to Pittville Pump Room is being transformed into an Irish bar for Race Week, with drinks poured from 5pm to 8pm, hot snacks available and live symphonies from a pianist, making it an ideal pit stop for breaking up the long walk back into town from the racecourse. The pianist will be performing every evening from Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 March 2024, with a DJ finishing the week off on Friday 15 March 2024.
With live music on Gold Cup Friday and a bar, The Prince of Wales Stadium is also conveniently close to the racecourse for post-race refreshments.
The Tavern
For low-key celebrations after a busy day at the races, head to The Tavern in Royal Well Place. Wind down with a wide selection of beers, cocktails and wines paired with comforting pub grub that'll make you feel right at home.
During Race Week there'll also be live music at the venue, with soulful sounds from Thee & Jake, Spencer Flay, Rhiannon Hill and IS THE POPE. Music starts at 7pm every evening.
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.
Revolution
Right in the centre of Cheltenham on Clarence Parade and housed inside a beautiful former church, Revolution gives racegoers a wide range of cocktails and food to choose from. Doors open at 12pm and stay open until 1am during the week or 3am on Gold Cup Day.
Happy hour runs until 9pm all week, with two for one on cocktails — and don't forget your dancing shoes, as there's a dance floor at Revolution, too. Bottomless brunch is also on offer every day of the week — fill up on unlimited drinks for 2 hours for £35.
Lounge 72
Lounge 72 on Cheltenham High Street is a great spot to take the party into the early hours, with the venue open from 3pm to 3am every day during Race Week.
There are great deals including 12 pick 'n’ mix vodka shots for £15 or 30 shots for £30, as well as signature cocktails like the Candyfloss Cosmopolitan and Cherry Bakewell. For anyone who's feeling lucky, challenge the barman to flip a coin for £2 — if you predict the side it lands on correctly, you get double your drinks!
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 8.30pm.
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 Trouble Notes are playing live music, with the bar serving supper from 5.30pm to 8pm, too.
The Suffolk Arms
This friendly and independent pub on Suffolk Road will 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 Inn
If you can’t make it to the racecourse, you can catch all the action at The Bayshill Inn, with the races showing live throughout the day.
The pub has recently changed ownership and has a brand new menu, serving dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, bangers and mash, as well as their signature six-time-battered fish and chips. Sitting on a corner at St George’s Place, this traditional pub is also hosting live music throughout the night during Race Week, creating a buzzing atmosphere.
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 from Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 March 2024.
Imperial Haus
Sip cocktails in style in this stunningly Instagrammable bar, nestled in the town centre, just opposite Cheltenham Town Hall. The DJ will be there all week, with a table magician paying a visit on Wednesday 13 March 2024. Rounding off the week will be performances from a sax player on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 March 2024.
Imperial Haus is known for its magical decor and masterfully mixed cocktails; with a special menu of racing themed cocktails on offer for Race Week only.
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 secret basement bar — open from 8pm — where the party continues until late!
Mr Cambray's Curiosity
One of Cheltenham's newest venues, opening in December 2023, Mr Cambray's Curiosity is a coffee shop by day and a cocktail bar by night. It's also the perfect place to let off some steam in style after a long day watching the races.
With a choice of themed rooms and a wide range of hand-crafted cocktails on offer, racegoers will have a night to remember here. The bar is open for drinks from 4.30pm to 11pm on Thursday 14 March and 4.30pm to 1am on Friday 15 March 2024.
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!
Under the Prom
If you're still full of energy after a day at the races, then head to Under the Prom for cocktails and club beats.
The nightclub serves cocktails, champagne, cider and more from its three bars — and with a closing time of 6am and excusive VIP areas, you really can dance the whole night away!
COCO Cheltenham
Sip on cocktails and enjoy banging beats from the DJs in one of Cheltemham's coolest basement bars, open every night of Race Week.
Cocktails at COCO are all £7, while shots are 4 for £10. The bar is also hosting a competition, in collaboration with Jameson, to try and find the best St Patrick's Day themed outfit; with prizes including limited edition Jameson merchandise and Cheltenham Town Football tickets. So, don a shamrock and throw on something green!
No.38 The Park
Located at the bottom of Pittville Park, this opulent hotel is hosting live music and a post-race party every evening during Race Week 2024.
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.
