Perched on the edge of the South Downs National Park and only a stone’s throw from the glistening port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth, Winchester in Hampshire is a dreamy destination. With winding historic streets lined with attractions, restaurants, and a grand Norman-built cathedral, it’s a treasure trove of cultural and culinary exploration. Adding to its glamorous allure is an array of atmospheric cocktail bars and drinking dens with ambient sounds, mellow backlighting, and the tastiest beverages in town.
To make sure you get the best seat in the house and enjoy the finest mixes, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best cocktail bars in Winchester.
Incognito
There is nothing incognito about Incognito. Overflowing with character, this fantastical cocktail bar in the heart of Winchester is a quirky cornucopia filled with vintage curios, antiques, artworks and ornaments. Styled in the form of a Victorian manor met with a world stage, it features tropical blooms, ornate ceilings and curiosities from all over the globe which attract the eye as cocktails are served in unique and imaginative ways. Needless to say, if you are looking for somewhere unforgettable to enjoy a beverage, Incognito promises the perfect recipe for an evening to remember. Make sure you book a table in advance to avoid missing out on the fun and get ready to pore over a creative cocktail and mocktail list, with spirits from all over the world.
Cabinet Rooms
Cabinet Rooms on Jewry Street in Winchester is a delightful space just perfect for evening drinks and private parties alike. A café by day and cocktail bar by evening, it sets a refined scene for guests to enjoy a cool, laidback setting and, of course, savour a cocktail or two. Alongside their eclectic menu, Cabinet Rooms hosts regular music nights, movie screenings, literary discussions and more within the bar. So, whether you’re looking forward to conversation and cocktails in the company of your favourite person or are ready to immerse yourself in an uplifting event, there’s something for you. If you get peckish during your visit, you also can make the most of a delicious menu of cheese boards, sharing platters, nuts, olives and other bites to accompany your cocktails.
The Ivy
Found on Winchester’s high street, The Ivy is a well-known cocktail bar and brasserie where the conversation and drinks flow in equal measure. Just a short stroll from the city’s most famous sights, it is perfectly placed for chilled out moments with loved ones. Step inside and soak up the bright and airy feel, before wandering over to the handsome onyx bar framed by high ceilings. Lined with bottles of all shapes and sizes that glisten in the light, its eclectic offerings ensure something to suit every mood and occasion. For added incentive, The Ivy also serves relaxed, all-day dining with set and a la carte menus of modern British cuisine alongside its wide array of cocktails.
Greens
If you’re looking for somewhere vibrant with quality cocktails and a winning atmosphere, Greens Bar and Kitchen on Jewry Street is the place to go. Serving delectable drinks and dishes in the city for 30 years, it’s a well-seasoned institution in Winchester that beckons with all manner of delights. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can drop into the bar to peruse the list of cocktails on offer, including renowned favourites and house specials. Or, if you’re looking for the complete experience, you can reserve a table and sample the kitchen’s culinary masterpieces. Proffering the most flavourful accompaniments to drinks, the restaurant focuses on a menu of honed British classics from breakfast until dinner.
Brasserie Blanc
For a fine dining and cocktail experience in Winchester, Brasserie Blanc resides with a full list of bites and beverages to suit every appetite. Owned by renowned French chef Raymond Blanc OBE, this inviting brasserie on Jewry Street is a hotbed of gastronomical innovation. Tempting for leisurely lunches and mood lit dinners, it specialises in classic French cuisine and serves expertly-mixed cocktails that range from fresh, lime-infused margaritas to deep-flavoured negronis to non-alcoholic belli-nos. Head over to enjoy a carefully-tailored menu that is as bright and vibrant as its interiors and enjoy a sensory revelation. As well as cocktails, Brasserie Blanc has an extensive wine list with a generous selection of both French and international wines.
Bring & Mix, Southampton
Embodying a novel take on a traditional cocktail bar, Bring & Mix outside of Winchester in the port city of Southampton promises an immersive, engaging experience. Encouraging you to come along with your own pre-selected bottles of spirits, the bar’s talented team of mixologists then use said bottles to create divine cocktails inventively mixed with a medley of their own ingredients. With everything from fresh fruit, vegetable juice, handcrafted syrups and cordials, herbs, spices and more all ready to be expertly paired with your spirit of choice, you can look forward to uniquely memorable and impressively tasty cocktails tailored to your tastes. Head over to experience your bespoke cocktail journey and relish the swinging 1920s theme and décor of the bar. Reservations for cocktail nights are a must, and you can also book onto cocktail masterclasses too.
Sky Bar, Farnborough
Located within Aviator in Farnborough, Sky Bar is a cool, stylish lounge offering a laidback setting for expertly-mixed cocktails. With an ever-changing, always-expanding menu of timeless classics and signature concoctions, each drink is created with utmost taste and experience in mind and offers something for every palate. Choose from tangy apple and amaretto sours, regal Champagne mixes, classic dry martinis, tropical mai tais with delicious dark rum and more, ready to savour slow moments and swoon-worthy flavours. For something a little different, you can also book onto an afternoon tea experience, where selections of sweet and savoury sandwiches, cakes, scones and pastries are served alongside pots of coffee and tea or bottles of Champagne. Just remember to book ahead to secure yourself a table.
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