BEAR Hockley

You'll spot the minimalist signage from Carlton Street, but step inside and BEAR reveals itself as something far more ambitious than your average Hockley watering hole. The stripped-back industrial aesthetic – exposed brick, concrete floors, steel fixtures – feels deliberately unfussy, letting the serious cocktail program take centre stage. The drinks menu reads like a love letter to proper bartending, with house-infused spirits and seasonal ingredients getting the respect they deserve. Your bartender actually knows what they're doing here, whether you're after a perfect Negroni or something more adventurous from their rotating specials. It's the kind of place that attracts Nottingham's creative crowd without trying too hard to court them – just good drinks, no pretense, and enough personality to keep you coming back.