The Brass Pig

You'll descend into this subterranean Clifton spot wondering if you've made the right choice, but one look at the packed bar and you'll know you're in for a proper night. The cocktails here are surprisingly good for a club – none of that sugary nonsense you get elsewhere – and the bartenders actually know what they're doing behind the marble-topped bar. The music policy swings between house, funk and disco depending on the night, with a sound system that doesn't assault your eardrums. What really sets this place apart is the crowd: a mix of Clifton locals, students who've graduated beyond Whetherspoons, and thirty-somethings who still know how to move. The basement setting could feel claustrophobic but somehow works perfectly, creating that sweaty, euphoric atmosphere where everyone's your mate by 2am.