This fair land of ours? It's rampant with peculiar underground taverns, kooky cocktail haunts and offbeat watering holes. And don't even get us started on the drinks. We've scoured up and down the coastline to find the most unusual bars in the UK where tin can tipples and cloister-brewed beers are all the norm - from Edinburgh to London and beyond.
Last edited by katie kirwan
Last updated on 31st December 2024
Unusual bars don't come much better than Three Little Words, which is attached to Spirit of Manchester Distillery and tucked away in some railway arches. Aside from the sleek looks, expect gin classes, a unique cocktail list and quirky small plates.
Carousel Leeds combines arcade games with street food and cocktails to create a warm and atmospheric space that's perfect for visiting with friends, family and even date night. Try your hand at interactive darts, sing your heart out at karaoke and shoot some hoops in the arcade. What's more, you can enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails all day from Sunday to Friday, with the likes of Tropic Like It's Hot (gin, elderflower, apple juice and cranberries) and Flashy Bish (vodka and bubblegum) included.
From Manchester to Brighton, Liverpool and Shoreditch, there's an Alcotraz prison bar for everyone. Step into this immersive experience, smuggling your favourite liquor as you go, so you can sip bespoke drinks while watching the action unfold.
Unique Swansea bar Bambu is fronting a beach-style look, stunning colourful interiors and a sandbox terrace to boot. Alongside that, you can expect entertainment in the form of DJs, cocktail masterclasses and private karaoke booths, with tiki drinks to accompany all the while.
A beautiful boozer in Bishop's Stortford, Water Lane Lounge & Bar is a must-visit. Flaunting exposed brick, stylish seating and sleek booths, the venue slings out classic cocktails such as bloody marys, espresso martinis, cucumber martinis and much more.
If you're looking for something a little out of the box, head on over to The Tipsy Bird & Brewers Yard on Ann Street. Treat yourself to a Raunchy Robin made up of whiskey, peach, raspberry and lemonade, all while you take in the vibrant interiors and enjoy live music.
When you spy Flight Club's fairground-inspired interiors and alcoholic slushies, you already know they're some of the quirkiest bars in the UK, spanning everywhere from Cheltenham to Cardiff, Oxford and Leeds. Aside from that, their brunch socials come with unlimited pizza paddles, a bottle of fizz each and a go on in the famous oches.
ChaChaBuchi in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne offers sophistication and glamour in the form of bark-lined walls, a chalet-inspired private room and a glowing golden staircase. If that wasn't enough, there's a cosy firepit to get excited about too on the terrace, perfect for enjoying an Alpine-inspired food menu around. Drinks-wise, you'll find classic sips like pornstar martinis as well as beers, ciders and all your favourite spirits.
Evans & Peel's private detective is awaiting your case in his evidence-filled office, where he'll chat to you, before sending you through a secret door to his hidden 1920s drinking den. Enjoy bootlegged liquor and live jazz while you wait for him to crack your case.
Inspired by uber-luxe bars in New York, LA and Miami, BLVD transforms from fun restaurant serving small plates into a late-night cocktail lounge complete with live entertainment once the sun goes down. This has Instagrammable written all over it.
Pints in a cave? Head to Brighton's Tempest where you'll find one of the best weird bars in England. Grab a table in the intimate cavern or enjoy unparalleled seaside views on their outdoor terrace, situated mere footsteps from the beach.
The Maven is a Prohibition-style speakeasy found within The Calls and fronting an air of Gatsby-inspired interiors and etiquette. The award-winning venue is brilliant for serious cocktail lovers who are keen to try something a little different, while also enjoying a roaring party vibe thanks to live DJs. The menu is ever-changing, but summer specials have included the likes of Alpine strawberry vermouth mixed with prosecco, and POD pea vodka with elderflower cordial, topped with mint.
Nestled in the heart of Cambridge, Tivoli is as cool and quirky as can be. From the super fun crazy golf courses and the large shuffleboard tables to the stunning rooftop terrace, there's a lot to love. Plus, there's street food and tasty drinks to get stuck into.
Home to all the shuffleboard you can dream of, Shuffle Shack is a fun games bar that can be found in Sheffield, sporting a retro interior and warm vibes. It's a great place to visit with friends if you're looking to get a little competitive with each other and there's a cracking food and drinks menu to keep you going too. Wash down ten-inch pizzas with disco tipples like Irn-Bru Old Fashioneds and frozen cocktails for £7.50 each.
You'll find Call Me Mr Lucky tucked away underneath The Breakfast Club in London Bridge, fronting multi-coloured strings of lights and playful interiors. It also happens to be Tom Daley's favourite bar so hit up to see why. Happy hour starts from 5pm 'til 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday where you can nab 2-4-1 on all cocktails and £3 bottles of Sol. Up for sipping? The Odeon, made with vodka and popcorn syrup, June Bug featuring Malibu and banana liquor, and an Elderflower Collins.
From the streets of Soho to those of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh, NQ64 sure knows how to get around. And that's a lucky thing for us, as these cool, graffitied dens are fronting retro arcade games and classic consoles galore, alongside a selection of themed cocktails.
Fayre Play will take you back to your childhood fairground days with its selection of classic games and sweet cocktails. Located in Edinburgh and Glasgow, its Scotland's first experience of its kind of adults and features the likes of Skee-Baw, Slam Drunk and more. On the drinks menu? Signature concoctions reign supreme like Who Gives A Duck, made with Havana 3 and apple juice, and the fruity Beach Baller.
The Last Tuesday Society is up there with the best cool and quirky bars the UK. The theatrical cocktail parlour is dabbling in all things fantstical with its menu of strange spirits. But why take our word for it? Go for the absinthe hour and sample some heady libations for yourself.
Ever wanted to drink in a cave? Now you can, thanks to Nottingham boozer The Malt Cross - one of the last remaining Victorian music halls in Britain that underwent a £1.4m renovation back in 2014. From real ales to live music events and art classes, it's not just the interiors that have got us intrigued either.
Based on looks alone, German Kraft Brewery Mayfair is turning up trumps when it comes to unusual bars in London. Located in a fabulous food hall, the beer pros have taps within the historic church's crypt and on the altar itself, where they're pouring speciality hops and pints produced on-site.
Where to begin with this one. Inspired by Mary Shelley's iconic novel, Frankenstein / Bier Keller is the place to go for ghoulish decorations, cheap cocktails and a wild night out in Edinburgh. It also cooks up an eclectic menu of Sottish-American grub, including haggis fritters and juicy wings.
Whether you fancy a go on the retro arcade games, a 10-player remote control race track or an epic escape room, then The World's End is just the place. This quirky Brighton bar also serves up drag bingo and DJs, if gaming isn't your thing.
Ballie Ballerson is a nostalgic playground in the form of a ball pit combined with a bar, karaoke room and live DJs. Tickets for all-day pit access start from £6.50 and you can also treat you and your mates to one of its iconic bottomless brunches across its Edinburgh venue too, which features 90 minutes of unlimited bubbles and two hours of unlimited Neapolitan pizza. Cocktail-wise, you can expect to get your lips around Instagrammable beauties like the Dibbie Dabberson, topped with dip dab lollipop and th e bubblegum flavoured Hubba Hubba Bubba.
Cuckoo is a bright and beautiful bar that's one of the quirkiest in Leeds. Here, expect wild bottomless brunches, a secret outdoor terrace and a list of signature cocktails, with one that's even decorated with mini rubber ducks.
Searching for the UK's most unusual bars? The Oracle in Liverpool is a strong contender, combining 18th century decor with stunning libations. To top it all off, the Duke Street speakeasy has magicians going from table to table to add a little enchantment to your night.
Church - Temple of Fun is keeping punters on their toes with its own mega on-site arcade. Whether you're here to play on retro consoles, try out some of the vegan food or just fancy taking in the Sheffield bar's quasi-religious decor, you're guaranteed a good time.
Boteco Do Brasil adds a slice of Latin excitement to Edinburgh's historic Old Town and Merchant City in Glasgow. From South American cuisine and a healthy dose of caipirinhas to salsa nights or live music, there's no shortage of fun here.
Pool, shuffleboard, table tennis, beer pong, mini-golf... meet Roxy Ball Room: your one-stop shop for an entertaining evening. Sink some holes and a few craft brews at this Leeds gem or check out one of its other sites in Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester.
