The Bootlegger, Bath

Official site of The Bootlegger - bootleggerbars.com

Official site of The Bootlegger - bootleggerbars.com

An interesting venue which feels subterranean on entry as you wind down the narrow stone stairs, though once you reach the bar it’s lit by windows onto the adjacent road. It’s a lot nicer than some of the other similar establishments, though for me it has two main downsides – no dogs allowed, and no real ale. The layout is as described by others, below. Once the sun goes down the soft mood lighting and soft jazz make it feel a bit less contrived. The staff tried to be helpful, but it felt a bit insecure and intrusive, especially when making us sit down to take our order – table service only. Orchard Pig was the best they could offer, alongside Camden Helles and Pale Ale, and a premium lager. It was a pleasant enough place to sit, but I’m not sure I’d rush back given the lack of ale.

An atmospheric cellar bar,there is a small door at road level and a larger entrance at the high pavement level above.The inside is dark and moody,with lots of different section decorated in a plush style.It's trying to recreate a speakeasy ,and the soundtrack of light American jazz fitted well.Candle lit,with a gas fire close to the bar,there is table service from a predominately cocktail menu. No real ale,four mainstream draught kegs,two from Camden Town,so I opted for a bottle of Goose Island IPA which was past it's best. I should have gone for an exotic cocktail where there is a deal if you buy two of the same from part of the selection for £12. There is a very good restaurant next door (Clayton) so this place fitted well for a pre dinner drink,but please don't consider it for an ale tour of Bath.

This has changed hands yet again since my previous review, and is now a replacement to the former Circo bar that was located under the Halcyon Hotel in South Parade. Although the basic multi-room layout remains unchanged, it’s had something of a makeover and now has a rather more elegant feel to it with parquet wood flooring, copper clad tiling on the ceiling and very dark blue/grey wood panelling on much of the walls, with some dark fern patterned wallpaper elsewhere, as well as a number of rather abstract works of art. A large stone fireplace was off to one side and numerous pot plants were dotted around. Although all quite dark and sombre with little natural light, the smaller rooms at the front did face out on to the road in case you get a little claustrophobic. Unfortunately there were no real ales on tap, and I didn’t note precisely what was on keg as on approaching the bar I was ushered away with an explanation that they offered table service. The menu did however inform me that they had Meantime as a regular along with another guest. The solitary cider meanwhile was Cornish Orchards. This is really more of a cocktail joint though, and there was an extensive collection of these to choose from. My Strawberry Cheesecake with vanilla vodka, milk and cream, Briotter Frais de Bois and topped with a biscuit layer was pretty good, and very reasonably priced as part of a “2 for £10” happy hour deal.