Coolings Gandy Street

You'll head down into Coolings' subterranean den on Gandy Street and immediately feel the pull of a proper neighbourhood bar—the kind that doesn't try too hard but somehow gets it right. It's become something of a fixture for Exeter locals who actually know their drinks, with bartenders who can navigate a cocktail menu with genuine skill rather than showmanship. The vibe skews towards relaxed sophistication: you're as welcome nursing a single malt as you are ordering rounds of something more adventurous. Wine lovers particularly rate the curated list, which punches above what you'd expect from a city-centre bar.