After a day of shopping or exploring the nearby Peak District, you might just want to refresh yourself with a drink in Derby!
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail then you’re spoilt for choice in Derby’s city centre.
From chilled-out independents to all-singing-all-dancing party venues, there’s something for everyone in this East Midlands city.
No matter your cocktail of choice you’re covered here, too, whether you fancy a margarita, a mojito, or a martini!
So if you’re looking for the best places to enjoy a tipple, read on for the 19 best cocktail bars in Derby.
1. The Mixing House
Address: Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BX
Phone number: 01332 854442
With Instagrammable interiors and even prettier cocktails, The Mixing House has a vibrant party atmosphere, perfect for going ‘out out’.
Alternatively, visit earlier in the day to pair one of their mouthwatering cocktails with some equally tasty tapas.
Vegan chilli tostadas washed down with Candy Floss Fizz?
Yes, please!
Head up to the Cloud 9 rooftop terrace bar on a summer’s evening and you’ll quickly understand why this is one of my favourite cocktail bars in Derby.
2. The Clubhouse
Address: 21 & 23 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BX
Phone number: 01332 317500
The Clubhouse is a premium sports bar in Derby’s city centre.
It may not instantly come to mind as one of the best cocktail bars in Derby but trust me on this one – it’s an underdog!
With 16 TV screens showing a wide variety of live sports, it’s the perfect place to watch the big game while sipping on a mojito.
However, if you prefer playing to watching, then there are some games that you can play, too.
From foosball and shuffleboard to beer pong and interactive darts, there’s something for everyone to try!
As for the cocktails, expect creative concoctions like a smokey bacon old fashioned, a Capri son, and a Biscoff espresso martini.
3. The Orange Tree
Address: 5 George Street, Derby DE1 1EH
Phone number: 01332 3432500
Follow the orange lantern to George Street just off Friar Gate and you’ll find The Orange Tree.
This intimate gathering space has a hefty selection of gins, more cocktails than you can shake a stick at, fine wines, and local ales.
Situated in a converted Georgian building, it’s the perfect space to relax and catch up with friends while you spill the G & tea.
The bar plays host to regular events and live music so you’re guaranteed a great atmosphere and some fantastic drinks to boot.
4. The Blacksmiths Lounge
Address: 19-20 Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NH
Phone number: 01332 381169
In the heart of Derby’s food and drink district, the Cathedral Quarter, you’ll find The Blacksmiths Lounge on the historic Sadler Gate.
It’s housed in a beautiful listed building within Blacksmith’s Yard where some of the buildings date back to the 15th century.
Inside, there are comfy sofas and rustic furniture to relax on, while ambient lighting sets the mood.
Try one of the freshly mixed traditional cocktails, a local real ale, or a world beer.
Plus, if you’re peckish, you can grab a bite to eat from their antipasto and charcuterie board menu.
If you want to learn how to make your own cocktails, you’re in luck as the bar offers private cocktail masterclasses.
They also host regular acoustic music evenings!
The Blacksmith’s Lounge won the Best for Drinking award at the Marketing Derby Food & Drink Awards 2021 so you know you’re in safe hands here.
5. Bunk
Address: 8 Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NF
Phone number: 01332 347403
What goes best with cocktails?
Wings, of course!
Bunk is an alternative dining experience with a twist and they specialise in, you guessed it, wings and cocktails.
Even better yet, you get to choose how many wings you want and your seasoning and sides, with vegan and veggie options also available!
As for the drinks, there’s an extensive cocktail menu which features premium and house cocktails alike.
If you have a sweet tooth then one of their retro sweet-inspired cocktails is perfect for you.
Choose from Drumstick, Parma Violet or Refresher.
Some of these are available as mocktails, too, if you’d prefer.
6. Slug & Lettuce
Address: 11 Irongate, Derby DE1 3FJ
Phone number: 01332 341946
Slug & Lettuce is a classic chain that’s synonymous with good, reasonably priced cocktails.
You can never go wrong here!
Cocktails are two for one all day, every day which is reason enough to visit.
But if that’s somehow not enough, there are over 30 cocktails on the menu and table service is available too, so you can say goodbye to long waits at the bar.
Menu highlights include Party Like It’s Your Birthday and I Carried a Watermelon but you can expect all the classic cocktails you know and love, too!
7. Seven
Address: Wheelwright Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8SQ
Phone number: 01332 332277
Located on Pride Park Way, just outside of the city centre, Seven is a great choice if you’re heading into Derby by train or you’re going to a football match at Pride Park.
It’s a sophisticated venue for all-day dining in a relaxed atmosphere.
And outside, you’ll find a great courtyard which has full-on Ibiza vibes!
Alongside serving great food, they also serve some brilliant cocktails like their signature Raspberry Truffle, and Apple and Elderflower Martini.
8. Fat Cat Cafe
Address: 9 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BU
Phone number: 01332 347444
Fat Cat Cafe is on Derby’s Friar Gate and has an upstairs lounge bar which is perfect for a quiet few drinks.
Their cocktail menu is updated seasonally so you can try something new each time you visit.
Christmas cocktails inspired and named after all the classics (Elf, Love Actually, The Grinch, the list goes on…)?
Sign me right up!
They also offer a weekend recovery service on Saturdays and Sundays where you can get two-for-one Bloody Marys until 4 pm, helping you to get over your hangover.
This may be the Fat Cat Cafe but it’s perfect for the Hair of the Dog!
9. Bar 56
Address: 5/6 Strand Arcade, Derby DE1 1BQ
If you’re looking for one of the more premium cocktail bars in Derby then Bar 56 is a great shout.
Open Friday and Saturday nights until midnight, it has a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious cocktails.
Talk about a triple threat!
It’s a smart, quirky bar perfect for a quiet cocktail or mocktail, and one you won’t want to miss out on.
10. Littleover Lodge
Address: Rykneld Road, Littleover, Derby DE23 4AN
Phone number: 01332 510161
Littleover Lodge is a hotel based just outside of Derby’s city centre, in the small village of Littleover.
Littleover itself is full of character and fantastic views, so it’s a great place to enjoy a walk before heading back to the lodge to indulge in a cocktail or two.
All the cocktails here are freshly prepared while you wait and a lot of the options have been specially designed by the team who work there.
Specials include Tutti Frutti, Cheery Goose Fizz, and Whisky Sour.
If you’re feeling hungry after all that fresh air then Littleover Lodge has a gastro pub menu, too, so grab a bite to eat.
11. Baby M
Address: 18 Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NH
A garden-themed concept cocktail bar, Baby M is bright, colourful, and somewhere you can come to enjoy yourself.
It’s decorated with vibrant pop art throughout, and they play music for all tastes and screen live events, too.
It’s a great spot to visit any time of day but it gets even better into the night!
As it gets late, the music ramps up and there’s space for you to have a good dance.
12. Bustler Market
Address: The Chocolate Factory, Siddals Road, Derby DE1 2QD
Bustler Market is a street food market in Derby’s industrial quarter.
Not only are there lots of fabulous street food stalls to choose from (think burgers, tacos, kebabs, loaded fries, etc.) but there’s also a selection of cocktails and mocktails to enjoy alongside your food.
Not to be outdone on the entertainment side, there are also live DJs, independent retailers, arcades, beer pong, and even karaoke.
Dogs are welcome, too, so bring your pooch!
They serve cocktails in plastic glasses as this is an indoor/outdoor venue but it has a fantastic festival vibe which you can enjoy all year round.
Bustler Market takes place on the last weekend of every month opening Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.
13. Stein Strasse
Address: 23 Wardwick, Derby DE1 1HA
Phone number: 01332 342609
Better known for its steins full of two pints of beer, it may come as a surprise to you that Stein Strasse is one of the best cocktail bars in Derby.
Yes, you heard me right – they serve a fantastic selection of haus cocktails and premium cocktails here!
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped out of Derby and straight into Oktoberfest with the authentic German food on offer and the lederhosen-clad staff.
A great place for live music, the evenings often start low-key with acoustic acts before building up to a crescendo of live Bavarian bands playing the famous Oompah.
Dancing is optional but very much encouraged – pró st!
14. BEAR
Address: 7 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3FJ
Phone number: 01332 725051
Situated in an old banking hall in the centre of Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, BEAR is a hotspot for cocktails and food.
It’s a relaxed venue during the day where you can grab a spot of brunch and a coffee with friends.
However, by night, they serve modern twists on classic cocktails and food like taco trays and smashed burgers.
BEAR has two venues in Derby, with the other one being situated inside the Derbion shopping centre.
If you need to take a little break from your shopping spree, then it’s a great spot to take a load off and indulge in a cocktail.
They say that they’ve got the best espresso martini in town so it would be rude not to put this to the test, right?
Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm and 9 to 11 pm where you can enjoy two cocktails for £12.
15. Cosy Club
Address: Royal Buildings, Victoria Street, Derby DE1 1ES
Phone number: 01332 631004
Cosy Club is a chain which offers relaxed dining and drinking with a touch of timeless glamour in venues across the UK.
Their Derby branch has an extensive food and cocktail menu and is located on Victoria Street in the city centre.
It’s housed in a building that dates back to 1837 so you’ll be drinking amid a bit of history here.
Cosy Club provides tipples for every occasion, whether it’s a chilled-out brunch with mimosas or an evening drink in your best party frock.
Get adventurous with a banana espresso martini or keep it vintage with the classic!
(Top tip: join them from 4 to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday to enjoy any two cocktails for £11.95.)
16. Turtle Bay
Address: 1-5 The Wardwick, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 1HA
Phone number: 01332 344100
Brightly-coloured eatery and bar Turtle Bay brings a taste of the Caribbean to Derby.
There are plenty of rum cocktails on the menu and a lively vibe, reminiscent of a Caribbean carnival.
The bar will quickly have you questioning whether you’re drinking in Derby or Jamaica.
(Especially when their Kingston solero and Marley mojitos are concerned!)
Cocktails are two for one before 7 pm and they do a bottomless brunch on weekends, too.
17. Revolucion de Cuba
Address: 9 The Strand, Derby DE1 1BJ
Phone number: 01332 896196
Next up on our round-the-world trip is Cuba!
Head to Revolucion de Cuba in the daytime for a relaxed brunch with the girls or stop by in the evenings where the venue transforms into a banging party.
Leave Derby behind and step straight into Havana!
With live Latin bands, an extensive range of Cuban-inspired cocktails, and some delicious freshly prepared tapas, it’s a great place to enjoy a daiquiri (or two).
There’s also a rum bar where you can sample some of the finest rums from all over the world.
There’s a happy hour on Sunday evenings and weekdays between 5 pm and 7 pm where you can get some great offers on popular cocktails.
18. Revolution
Address: 1 The Strand, Derby DE1 1BJ
Phone number: 01332 206970
For dining, drinking, and partying, look no further than Revolution.
With modern interiors, luxury seating and private VIP areas, Revolution has a seasonal cocktail menu full of unique, handcrafted cocktails.
Situated in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, this is a real day-to-night venue.
Enjoy a relaxing drink with friends during the day then head to the club room at night for live music and an unbeatable atmosphere.
It’s also one of the best places to go for bottomless brunch in Derby, too!
Non-stop booze?
Yes, please!
19. Vines Bar
Address: 51a Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NQ
Phone number: 01332 367567
Last but by no means least, if you’re after cheap and cheerful cocktails, then Vines Bar has your back!
Probably the cheapest cocktails you’ll find in Derby, they have a selection priced at just £2.75 each.
These include Cherry Fizz, Long Island Iced Tea, and Sex on the Beach!
My favourite, however, is their Jelly Belly cocktail which is a delicious mix of vodka schnapps, raspberry fizz, and orange juice
What’s not to love?!
So there you have it: the 19 best cocktail bars in Derby.
There are spots to suit everyone here, including places serving rum-based cocktails, botanical cocktails, and even mocktails if you’re not drinking.
Whichever of these cocktail bars in Derby that you choose to visit, you’re sure to have an amazing time.
Bottoms up!