Sister Ray

You'll find this dimly-lit cocktail den tucked into one of the Baltic Triangle's quieter squares, where the music policy runs as deep as the drinks menu. The bartenders here actually know their way around a shaker, turning out cocktails that justify the ££ price point without the usual city centre markup madness. The crowd skews older than your typical Rope Walks bar crawler – think people who remember when the Velvet Underground were actually underground. You're here for serious drinking rather than Instagram moments, though the moody lighting does work in your favour. Weekend afternoons kick off earlier if you fancy beating the evening rush, but honestly, this place works best after dark when the music settles into your bones and the conversation flows as smoothly as whatever they're pouring.