Best Bars in Stratford-upon-Avon

Most of Stratford-upon-Avon’s drinking happens in its old pubs (see our guide to the best pubs in Stratford). If you’re after a cocktail, a glass of wine or somewhere to carry on after the theatre, these are the bars worth knowing. Opening times come from each bar’s own website.

Our favourite bars in Stratford

These two are where Alex Harrington, who runs What’s up, Stratford?, actually goes for a drink.

Cafe Cocktail, Greenhill Street

A family-run cocktail bar tucked into Windsor Court, off Greenhill Street, a few minutes’ walk from the station end of town. It opened in July 2022 and won Best Pub, Bar or Restaurant at the Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards in 2024. The list runs from the classics to its own signature serves, with craft beer on draught and table service. Earlier in the day it’s a relaxed spot for coffee and small plates. You can book a table on its website.

• Open: Monday to Thursday 4pm to 11pm, Friday 4pm to midnight, Saturday 1pm to midnight, Sunday 1pm to 9pm
• Where: 3 Windsor Court, Greenhill Street, CV37 6GG (01789 224421)

Cox’s Yard, by the river

The big riverside pub and bar at Bridgefoot, by Clopton Bridge, with a garden on the Avon. It has been freshly refurbished and now has interactive darts and shuffleboard, live sport on the screens and regular events. Food is served most of the day, and Quill & Cup, its café next door, does coffee, lunches and crumbles. See Cox’s Yard’s website for what’s on.

• Open: Monday to Thursday 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to midnight, Sunday 10am to 11pm
• Kitchen: until 9pm Monday to Friday, 8pm Saturday, 7.30pm Sunday
• Where: Bridgefoot, CV37 6YY (01789 404600)

Cocktail and wine bars

• The Embankment, Swans Nest Lane: a bar, restaurant and nightclub over the river, just across Clopton Bridge, with cocktails and a terrace. Open Friday noon to 4pm and 10.30pm to 2.30am, Saturday noon to 2.30am and Sunday noon to 6pm; closed to the public Monday to Thursday.
• Officers Mess, Sheep Street: a 1940s-themed cocktail, champagne and wine bar with wartime memorabilia, staff in vintage dress and live shows, open on weekend evenings until late. When we checked, its website said it was closed for autumn maintenance, so check before you go.
• The Vintner, Sheep Street: a wine bar and restaurant in a historic building, open from breakfast until 9pm Monday to Saturday and until 4pm on Sunday. Dogs are allowed in the bar area, but space is limited, so call first.
• The Phoenix, Guild Street: an independent bar with music, a wide drinks list and Impasto pizza made on site.
• RSC Rooftop, Waterside: the Rooftop Restaurant on the third floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre has a cocktail bar with alcohol-free drinks too. Open Monday to Saturday from midday.
• All Bar One, Bell Court: the chain’s Stratford bar, in the Bell Court shopping centre. Check opening times with the bar.

Drinks by the river

• The Dirty Duck, Waterside: the actors’ pub a few minutes from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with a terrace over the river. The pub counts Laurence Olivier, Richard Attenborough and Judi Dench among past customers. Open Monday to Thursday 11am to 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday until midnight, Sunday until 11pm.
• Cox’s Yard and The Embankment: see above. Both have outdoor seating by the water.
• The Barge & Quarterdeck, Bancroft Basin: a barge moored in the basin serving wood-fired pizza and craft beer from Windmill Hill Brewing Company. It’s a daytime and early evening spot, and it closes for part of the winter.
• The Encore, Bridge Street: the pub at the bottom of Bridge Street, close to Bancroft Gardens, has plans for a refit.

Where to drink after the theatre

The RSC’s own bars close with the performance: the Swan Bar, for example, opens an hour before the show and closes after the interval. These stay open later. Closing times:

Kitchens close earlier: the Dirty Duck serves food until 9pm (8pm on Sunday), and Cox’s Yard’s kitchen closes at 9pm on weekdays, 8pm on Saturday and 7.30pm on Sunday. For dinner before the show, see our map of every restaurant in Stratford. Getting home: see bus times and the last trains in our parking and travel guide.

Map of bars in Stratford-upon-Avon

Every bar in this guide, plus the town’s other bars, sorted by walking time from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with their food hygiene ratings.

Bars in Stratford: quick answers

What’s the best cocktail bar in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Our pick is Cafe Cocktail on Greenhill Street, a family-run bar that won the Stratford Herald’s Best Pub, Bar or Restaurant award in 2024. The Embankment, by the river, and Officers Mess, on Sheep Street, also specialise in cocktails.

Is there a nightclub in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Yes. The Embankment on Swans Nest Lane is a bar, restaurant and club, open until 2.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Where can I get a drink after the theatre in Stratford?

The Dirty Duck on Waterside is the closest and stays open until 11.30pm on weeknights. Cox’s Yard and Cafe Cocktail are open until 11pm Monday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.