Vault Bar

You'll find this one tucked beneath street level on Clumber Street, where exposed brick walls and low lighting create the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the long haul. The cocktail menu here actually knows what it's doing – proper attention to detail without the pretentious theatre you get elsewhere in the city centre. The basement setting works brilliantly, giving you that proper speakeasy feel without trying too hard to be one. Staff know their drinks and aren't afraid to make recommendations that actually suit what you're after. It's the sort of place that works equally well for a first date or catching up with mates, mainly because they've nailed that sweet spot between intimate and relaxed.