The Hop

You'll find this spot tucked along Bank Street, where the city centre meets the old commercial district. The kind of place where the bar staff actually know their hops from their malts, and the beer selection changes often enough to keep things interesting without being show-offy about it. The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between proper pub and craft beer bar – you can bring your mates for a few pints or settle in solo with a paper. Weekend afternoons draw a decent crowd, but weekday evenings stay relaxed enough for actual conversation. The prices won't make you wince, and they've got the opening hours sorted for both after-work drinks and weekend sessions.