Making the most of your time by the beach with a few drinks? With a four-mile stretch of coastline, you're sure to find somewhere great to drink in Portsmouth. From cosy cocktail bars to lively spots where the craft keeps coming, we've found a handful of recommendations worth your time. Check out our recommendations for the best Portsmouth bars.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 11th September 2025
Cocktail bars in Portsmouth are topped off by Drift, a fantastic destination for all your favourite classics or a range of delish signatures - including a gorgeous Red Sparrow served in a bird-shaped glass. Couple your drinks with everything from slow-cooked pork shoulder buns to halloumi burgers and tempura prawns from their pop-up kitchen. Otherwise, head here for bottomless brunches and late-night partying complete with DJs come the weekend.
Perched just behind the iconic Spinnaker Tower, Cosy Club Portsmouth is a harbourside hotspot perfect for cocktail lovers.
With bold interiors, nautical touches, and a spacious bar serving expertly crafted drinks, it's ideal for an afternoon spritz or evening tipple while watching the boats drift by. Add the alfresco terrace to the mix, and you've got one of Portsmouth's best spots to sip, socialise, and soak up waterfront vibes.
Right on the waterfront, you'll find Still & West - a gorgeous Grade II listed boozer combing nautical touches with modern charm. But the inside isn't even the best bit, as that gorgeous terrace with sea views proves.
When it comes to bars in Portsmouth city centre, Brewhouse & Kitchen has to be right up there. With a stunning Tudor-look exterior and a cosy wooden vibe indoors, it's got your next pints covered - especially when you consider they brew their own beer on-site.
After bars in Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays? Then check out Slug and Lettuce. This place is a mecca of 2 for 1 cocktails on the daily, while also boasting a crowd-pleasing food menu complete with bottomless brunches. Better yet, that outdoor seating is perfect for when the sun comes out to play.
Accommodating four bars over three floors, The Vaults is an impressive boozer in the heart of Southsea's bohemian district. Expect pub grub galore or a range of sharing boards and Sunday roasts, all washed down by your favourite cask real ale or craft lager.
Bubbling concoctions are just the start of things with The Alchemist. Known for their creative mixes and priding themselves on a lil' bit of drinks drama, join them for something you can really put on the internet alongside slinky interiors and a diverse food menu that celebrates everything from Asian to British.
