Rooftop Bars Bristol: 13 Best Bars with Amazing Views [2024]

Want to know the best rooftop bars in Bristol with jaw-droppingly good views?

Well, luckily for you Bristol is home to an amazing selection of rooftop bars, so you’ll easily find one that suits your needs.

From bottomless brunch to romantic date nights to evening drinks with a view, there’s a bar with a view with your name on it.

Each bar has its own quirky atmosphere offering you a different experience and a whole new set of memories to make.

So from rooftops to boat decks to city terraces, here’s where to find the best rooftop bars in Bristol with breathtaking views.

This article is written by Faraway Lucy writer, Abi Purvis.

1. White Lion Bar

Address: Avon Gorge Hotel, Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4LD

Phone number: 0117 973 8955

The White Lion has its own private rooftop terrace bar on the side of Hotel Du Vin that provides one of the best panoramic views in Bristol.

Get excited as from your seat, while you sip on your pint, you will bear witness to Bristol’s renowned Clifton Suspension Bridge that stretches across the spectacular Avon Gorge.

This viewpoint makes a relaxing but impressive location for your drinking occasion.

The terrace is a really good size and its location also makes it a bit of a sun trap if you’re lucky enough to go on a sunny summers day.

However, even in the rain, there’s a summery vibe here too with the bright colour scheme of the chairs and outside wooden shack bar.

The menu here is almost as notable as the view.

I can personally vouch for the macaroni cheese.

Creamy cheese and pasta with a view – what more could you want?

And if you really fancy treating yourself, book an overnight stay at the Hotel du Vin.

It’s one of the best Bristol hotels, after all!

2. Grain Barge

Address: Hotwell Rd, Bristol BS8 4RU

Phone number: 0117 929 9347

Experience life on the River Avon from the comfort of a table on the moored barge.

At this bar, you can watch paddle boarders, kayakers, boat trippers, and ferries sail past you as you look out to Bristol’s floating harbour and the historic SS Great Britain.

Being on the deck of a boat makes for a memorable drinking experience in its own right.

However, that’s especially the case here as this historic 1930s boat was once used as a transportation barge.

Grain Barge is an ideal location to recline in the sunshine or under the night sky and enjoy a drink with a view.

The staff here are all lovely, and their indie dress sense matches the general ambience of the boat: cool.

Grain Barge is also a locally run bar that locally sources some of its beers, ales and ciders so make sure to sample those!

If like me you suffer from seasickness, don’t let that put you off Grain Barge.

It’s moored up to the harbour and feels as stable as if it was on land while providing better views of the water than one on land. Going for drinks here is a no brainer really.

3. Bambalan

Address: Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 4XE

Phone number: 0117 922 1880

The Mediterranean vibe of this bar’s drinks and food menu, along with its décor, makes drinks upon the sun terrace feel like a tropical haven.

The cocktails, happy hour, live music, retro photo booth and a ping pong table only adds to this tropical holiday atmosphere making Bambalan an unforgettable bar.

The bar even hosts summer terrace parties from time to time, which are great events to attend with friends.

Bambalan’s central location makes it easy to find while offering fantastic views over the city and opportunities for the people watching fans among us.

(Come on, admit it, we all love a bit of people watching!)

4. Zerodegrees

Address: 53 Colston St, Bristol BS1 5BA

Phone number: 0117 925 2706

A once old tram shed, Zerodegrees is easily one of the coolest rooftop bars in Bristol.

There’s a dining garden, an outdoor terrace, and even balcony seats to choose from.

This means you’re more than spoilt for choice on where to situate yourself for outside drinks at Zero Degrees.

From here you’re able to spectate Bristol’s architectural skyline of rooftops, which includes views of Bristol Cathedral.

Zero Degrees is a microbrewery, so prepare your liver for exciting local craft.

The staff here are also great at recommending which drinks will best compliment your meal too.

Bottoms up!

5. Under The Stars

Address: Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

Phone number: 0117 929 8392

Located on Bristol harbourside, Under The Stars is another deck-top bar in Bristol that is well worth a visit.

The sleek aesthetic design of the boat is ideal for romantic dining and friendship dates.

So get yourself a table booked on the spacious deck that overlooks the busy harbour from the water.

Under the Stars’ menu takes inspiration from the voyages that boats have made from Bristol harbour and the bar seeks to incorporate cuisine from these typically Mediterranean destinations.

And if you want to take a bit of Under the Stars home, you can purchase one of their cocktail, whisky, or gin kits to mix your own at home.

6. Clifton Observatory

Address: Litfield Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LT

Phone number: 0117 974 1242

Clifton Observatory is a café by day and a bar by night.

It was once an abandoned local observatory but after copious amounts of renovation work to restore the building, it has since been transformed into a great social spot.

But don’t worry, it still preserves the observatory’s history within its walls.

Yep, that’s right, you’ll find a self-contained museum lying amongst its dining spots.

This is by far one of the best places to view Bristol in all its glory, as it looks down over Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge.

There are views from all 360 degrees of the observatory including views of the city, Leigh Woods, Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge.

It’s no wonder the venue is often hired for weddings!

7. Urban Rooftop Terrace

Address: Grove Mews, 42 The Grove, London W5 5LH

Phone number: 0800 652 8848

Encompassed by street art designed by local artists, filled with bean bags, and decorated with fairy lights, Urban Rooftop Terrace is easily one of the coolest rooftop bars in Bristol.

Despite being in central Bristol, Urban Rooftop Terrace is tucked away within the Bristol Marriott hotel so it’s slightly harder to find. (But that’s what Google Maps is for, right?)

Even though it’s a tad trickier to find, the bar still enjoys some glorious views.

From the terrace, you can see Cabot Circus and its surroundings, including Castle Park, a local park that contains ancient ruins of buildings on its circumference.

8. Mud Dock Café

Address: 40 The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB

Phone number: 0117 934 9734

As close to the water’s edge as you can get (without being in the water) is Mud Dock Café.

The cafe is overlooked by the Balamory style multi-coloured houses of Redcliffe, making for one of the best views of any rooftop bar in Bristol.

From the outside, the building is very industrial looking (funnily enough it was built during the Industrial Revolution), but the interior is another story.

Artwork, funky mirrors, wide windows, plants, and interesting lighting all come together to create an eclectic atmosphere.

Situated along the cycle path into Bristol, the cafe is regularly frequented by cyclists so it’s always buzzing with a friendly atmosphere.

In the evening the café transforms into a glorious bar from which you can enjoy the sunset.

9. Barrelhouse

Address: 33 Gordon Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AW

Phone number: 0117 973 5525

When you think of Barrelhouse you’ll probably think of cosy garden party vibes.

With homemade wooden-panelled constructed bars and tables, and a decorative array of plants, you’ll feel right at home here.

The menu offers freshly-made Detroit pizzas with a generous selection of topping concoctions that are a must-try.

They also serve delicious cocktails with prices starting as little as £5 per cocktail.

The bar is also hoping to start up live music nights to accompany your evening’s delights.

10. The Mall

Address: 66 The Mall, Bristol, City of Bristol, BS8 4JG

Phone number: 0117 974 5318

The charming nature of Clifton is embodied in The Mall like a miniature time capsule.

Taking you back in time, The Mall is best described as ‘old fashioned’ but in the best way possible.

I can practically guarantee that you’ll feel as though you’re in a different century while drinking out.

The Mall’s rooftop is located on the wide and open terrace of the two-story building that overlooks Clifton Down’s luscious green scenery.

This view is ideal to enjoy with a local residency craft beer as you settle into your historic setting.

11. The Old Market Assembly

Address: 25 West St, Bristol BS2 0DF

Phone number: 0117 373 8199

For a sunset view of Bristol, The Old Market’s rooftop garden terrace is the place to be.

This lively pub has always got a plethora of events on, ranging from theatre to live music.

Be sure to check out their website before you head there so you can time your night with a fun event! Just make sure to book in advance.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the pub is also a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association who exist to accelerate change towards an environmentally restorative and socially progressive hospitality sector in the UK.

Drinks with a conscience?

Sign me up!

12. River Station

Address: The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB

Phone number: 0117 914 4434

The choice is yours: do you fancy drinking on a balcony or terrace more?

Well, when drinking at the River Station it’s up to you.

Poised on the harbourside overlooking the river, River Station describes itself as “one of the best alfresco dining restaurants Bristol has to offer”.

But let’s be honest, this claim is incontestable when the bar even offers seating on its pontoon!

The gentle sounds of river life, mixed with the buzzing atmosphere of Bristolians at the harbour, is the perfect backdrop to your alfresco drinking.

It’s a great scenic setting for a bar if you’re looking for a lively and beautiful view.

(And again, it’s great for people watching which is enough reason to visit here, right?)

13. The Victoria Park

Address: The Raymend Hotel, 66 Raymend Rd, Bristol BS3 4QW

Phone number: 0117 330 6043

Last but by no means least, this gastropub has an outstanding rooftop garden that even has an outside pizza oven!

Pizza and a great view?

Count me in.

Even though no more needs to be said to sell you on this rooftop location in Bedminster, The Victoria Park is a homely but exciting pub that warrants a visit in its own right.

So how does sipping on a pint as you enjoy the view, while you watch your pizza cooking away in the outdoor pizza oven sound to you?

Good? Then get yourself booked into one of the best rooftop bars in Bristol!

I hope you have the most wonderful time out in these rooftop bars in Bristol and, unlike me, are graced with good weather and sunshine while you drink!

But no matter rain or shine, these locations make for a remarkable time out that you’ll undoubtedly be telling everyone about.

I can say this for sure because that’s exactly why I’m writing this article.

Happy drinking!