Ready to sip your way through York’s most unforgettable cocktail bars? Bookmark this list for your next visit to the city.
From tropical tiki adventures to a rooftop spritz, York’s diverse bars serve up cocktails for every taste. We’ve rounded up the seven best cocktail bars in the city to help you find the perfect spot for your next night out, along with one must-order drink at every venue.
If you’re looking to make a night of it, take a look at the latest restaurant deals in York.
Quick picks: best cocktail bars in York
Bora Bora
Credit: Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a York cocktail institution, opening seven days a week and slinging out one of the most extensive and imaginative menus in the city. With glitzy interiors and a dedicated outdoor seating area that’s a sun-trap in the summer, they offer a high-energy “feel-good” experience that rarely disappoints.
What to order: For a true taste of what the bar does best, try their signature Red Devil. This potent favourite is a powerhouse blend of vodka, triple sec, peach schnapps, gin and Southern Comfort. It’s bold, boozy, and packed with flavour – the perfect choice if you’re after a drink with a serious kick.
Where to go: Bora Bora, 5 Swingate Court East, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8AJ.
Insider’s tip: This bar is right in the heart of the Swinegate “circuit.” It gets loud and lively late at night, making it better for a party vibe than a quiet conversation.
Dusk
Credit: Dusk
A humble café-bar by day, Dusk transforms into one of York’s best go-to cocktail spots at night. They’ve built a solid reputation for creative concoctions and a playful menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Add in their legendary 2-4-1 deals and tasty sourdough pizzas, and it’s easy to see why this is a local favourite.
What to order: The Milky Bar Kid is tough to beat. Blending Baileys, Frangelico, Kahlua and milk, this smooth cocktail is basically dessert in a glass. It’s the perfect pick-me-up whether you’re kicking off your evening or winding it down.
Where to go: Dusk, 8 New Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8RA.
Insider’s tip: Dusk is often standing room only on weekends. If you want the 2-4-1 deal and a seat, aim to arrive late afternoon or early evening.
Evil Eye
Credit: Evil Eye
This personality-packed bar on Stonegate is impossible to ignore. Evil Eye pairs quirky, slightly macabre décor with a world-class gin selection and inventive house creations. There’s a playful edge here, with live entertainment and a “Shots Snakes and Ladders” game that keeps the atmosphere buzzing.
What to order: You have to try their Margarita. They blend tequila with orange liqueur, agave, and fresh lime for a perfect citrusy kick. The best part? You can tailor it to your taste – ask for it spicy if you want a fiery twist to your evening.
Where to go: Evil Eye, 42 Stonegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8AS.
Insider’s tip: Don’t be confused by the front of the building! You enter through a specialist gin shop. Walk right through to the back to find the hidden bar and the fantastic secret beer garden.
Social 8 Lounge
Credit: Social 8
Located next door to its bistro brother, Ate O’Clock, Social 8 Lounge is a sleek, intimate bar serving masterfully mixed drinks. It’s a more refined experience than the high-energy bars nearby, making it the perfect spot to kick back with some comfort food and a sophisticated serve.
What to order: Can’t decide between the delicious Martinis on offer? Choose the Martini flight! You’ll get an Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini and fruity favourite the Raspberry & Rhubarb Martini which mixes Absolut Citron with rhubarb liqueur and raspberry purée, finished with egg white for a silky-smooth foam top.
Where to go: Social 8 Lounge, 13 High Ousegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8RZ.
Insider’s tip: Fancy some live music with your cocktails? Head to Social 8 on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evening.
Sora Sky Bar
Elevate your evening – literally – at Sora. Perched on the seventh floor of the Malmaison, this is York’s premier rooftop destination and arguably the most seductive spot in the city for a drink. While it’s celebrated for its pan-Asian tapas and masterfully prepared sushi, the bar menu is equally impressive. The atmosphere here shifts seamlessly from a sophisticated daytime haunt to a high-energy lounge at night, complete with resident DJs and saxophone players providing a soundtrack to those panoramic skyline views.
What to order: If you’re after something with a kick, their Togarashi Margarita – which uses a Japanese seven-spice blend – is a fiery, expert choice that pairs brilliantly with their crispy rice bites.
Where to go: Sora, Malmaison, 2 Rougier Street, York, YO90 1UU.
Insider’s tip: Sora is a top pick for a “grand night out,” so dress to impress – the door policy is a step up from the city’s more casual pubs. To snag a seat with the best views of the Minster, aim for a Wednesday or Thursday evening when the atmosphere is a little more relaxed.
BoBos
BoBos deserves a spot at the top of any cocktail connoisseur’s list. Not only do they shake and serve with expert flair – whether it’s margaritas or martinis you’re after – but they do so in a chilled-out environment that’s ideal for midweek catch-ups or full-throttle nights out. It feels like a tropical escape hidden in the heart of the city, especially when they run their generous happy hour from Sunday to Friday.
What to order: If you only order one thing, make it one of their fresh pineapple cocktails – specifically the Bobos Famous Piña Colada. Each pineapple is cored and frozen in-house, before being filled with a tropical blend of Old J Coconut rum, vanilla syrup, pineapple, milk and cream. It’s smooth, creamy and York’s own little taste of the islands.
Where to go: BoBos, 5 Little Stonegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8AX.
Insider’s tip: Those pineapple cocktails are substantial! One is often enough to share if you’re just looking for a refreshing taster, and they make for the perfect Instagrammable moment.
DumDum
If you’re out in York, the neon-lit Polynesian paradise of DumDum is beckoning you. Nestled alongside Vudu Lounge, this vibrant bar is one of York’s most celebrated cocktail destinations, boasting bright botanical walls and a seriously tropical menu. It’s high-energy, colourful, and unapologetically fun.
What to order: The DumDum Zombie is an absolute must. This fiery showstopper blends four different rums with maraschino, apricot, and tiki bitters before being set dramatically alight.
Where to go: DumDum, 37-39 Swinegate, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8AZ.
Insider’s tip: The DumDum Zombie is an absolute must. This fiery showstopper blends white, gold, dark and overproof rum with maraschino, apricot, pineapple juice, Ting grapefruit soda, tiki bitters, fresh lime, grenadine and cinnamon, before being set dramatically alight. It’s bold, boozy and brilliantly theatrical – exactly the kind of cocktail that captures DumDum’s flair for flavour and fun in one flaming glass.
