Fothergills

You'll find this place where Castle Road starts to feel more residential, past the usual city centre chaos. The kind of bar where the staff actually care about what they're making – watch them muddle fresh herbs and measure spirits with the precision of someone who takes their craft seriously. The interior feels grown-up without being stuffy, dark wood and dim lighting that makes every drink feel like an occasion. It's where you come when you want cocktails that don't taste like they've been batch-made at 3pm. The menu changes enough to keep regulars interested, but they'll nail classics just as well as their own creations. Perfect for dates or catching up with mates who appreciate the difference between a proper Old Fashioned and whatever Wetherspoons calls whiskey with ice.