Bath boasts a vibrant bar scene catering to everyone—from locals and students to tourists; from gin aficionados to whisky lovers; from exclusive underground venues to casual hangouts. With so many options, what makes a bar truly exceptional?
For me, that place is Kingsmead Street Bottle. Unlike many bars chasing flashy gimmicks, this spot captivates simply by being a warm, inviting place to enjoy an evening.
The clientele is predominantly young, filled with undergraduates and twenty-somethings who have made this their go-to venue. There’s a laid-back, almost whimsical atmosphere here: drinks arrive in glasses adorned with the bar’s signature Street Bottle bear doodle, downstairs there’s a Nintendo Wii for casual play, and on our visit, patrons were gearing up for a friendly pub quiz.
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Note that Kingsmead Street Bottle is card-only, so come prepared. While the bar is famed locally for its quirky and extensive IPA selection, it also offers a diverse range of wines, ciders, and liquors.
My first drink was a single shot of amaretto mixed with cola (£6.50). The cola lightly tempered the sweet almond-marzipan notes in the amaretto—a delightful balance. Later, craving more of that Italian sweetness, I enjoyed a double shot with cola (£8.50), which packed a stronger punch.
A fun debate followed with friends: my partner warned against drinking amaretto neat, but our Italian companion insisted that’s how it’s traditionally enjoyed in Italy. Respecting the culture, I tried a straight shot of amaretto (£4.50) myself. As someone who usually sticks to cider outside of special occasions, this was a revelation—a burst of sugary sweetness followed by a strikingly bitter aftertaste, reflecting life’s bittersweet nature in a single sip.
Beyond drinks, Kingsmead Street Bottle recently expanded its menu to include comfort foods like toasties, nachos, and especially their cheesy garlic bread (£5.50). The sourdough toasties come piled high with melted cheddar, perfectly toasted, making them the ideal companion to an evening drink.
Though they currently don’t offer takeaway boxes, which could be a welcoming addition, the focus here remains on enjoying good food and great company on the spot.
All in all, Kingsmead Street Bottle is a chill, friendly, and fun bar that truly earns its place among Bath’s top drinking spots. Open daily—2 to 10pm Monday to Wednesday, 2 to 11pm Thursday, and noon to 11pm Friday and Saturday—it’s well worth a visit.