After a day’s stint at the beach, shopping in the town centre, or exploring the myriad landscapes of north Cornwall, visitors to Newquay can look forward to an array of liquid refreshment from some seriously swoon-worthy cocktail bars.
Whether you prefer lively surroundings or a relaxed atmosphere, stylish interiors or sunbathing in a beer garden, Newquay’s eclectic mix of watering holes will satisfy your every drinking whim.
The town is awash with options, all presenting an uber-friendly and inviting space to sample the local beer, treat your taste buds to a new cocktail (or two), tuck into a local delicacy or enjoy some top-notch live entertainment.
You might fancy settling into a cliff-top pub to take advantage of bay-wide coastal views, or somewhere beachside to imbibe the sea air and feel the sand between your toes, or to experience a buzzing new bar in the heart of Newquay.
Wherever and however you wish to toast the end of another dreamy day in Cornwall, any of the variety of cocktail bars in Newquay will provide the perfect place to kick back and take it all in.
Here’s our top seven for starters...
Secret Garden
Best for: Pizza and cocktails
21 Cliff Road, Newquay, TR7 2NE
secretgardennewquay.co.uk
Serving up a heady combination of artisan pizzas, crafted cocktails, organic and biodynamic wine, and a selection of Cornish beers, ciders and gins – Newquay’s Secret Garden (complete with a gorgeous green living wall) is as tantalising as it sounds.
Located on Newquay’s Cliff Street – and so hosting heavenly sea views that you can relish further with an alfresco bite on the beautiful outside terrace – expect a laidback atmosphere and oodles of flavour, whether you visit on a themed night (like their renowned Margarita Mondays), book a family meal out, or opt for a last-minute walk-in – as everyone is welcome.
The pizza menu comprises everything from a classic Margherita to the Cheesus Christ, Piggys Can Surf, Mother Clucker and Billy Goat’s Gruff, while a range of salads, sides and sharing platters are also available.
As for the cocktails, particularly enticing numbers include the Meringue Shebang, Strawberry Gin Fizz, Atlantic Negroni, Basil Brush, Pineapple Kick and Elderflower Martini, which all look set to quench your thirst in truly lip-smacking style.
Saltsheds Bar & Bistro
Best for: Pizza and pizzazz
12 Beach Road, Newquay TR7 1ES
saltsheds.com
Overlooking Towan Beach, Saltsheds is one of the newest places to enter Newquay’s vibrant bar scene. The sleek interiors are filled with natural light from the windows that wrap around the exterior, offering sprawling views across the beach and glittering sea beyond. And when you can bear to tear your eyes away from the spectacular setting, you’ll be met with a menu to match. Think wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and a cocktail menu that puts the gin in ginspired!
Refresh after a day surfing with a Blue Hawaiian, get fruity with a Passion Fruit Daiquiri, or add some spice to the evening with a Spicy Margarita. Oh, and who can say no to a good old-fashioned Mojito - there’s just something about muddled mint and zesty lime that awakens the senses and plasters a smile on the face!
Of course, the bar is fully stocked with a lip-smacking array of beers, ciders, and delicious wines, ensuring every palate is well and truly catered for. They also host epic bottomless brunches and live music for an extra dose of seaside fun. Sit back, sip your drink of choice, and watch the waves roll in - perfection.
Rebellion Roast House
Best for: Something daringly different
34 Cliff Road, Newquay, TR7 2ND
rebellionroasthouse.co.uk
The centrally-located roast house and moonshine bar smacks of personality, pushing the envelope with their own ‘badass’ twist on standard food and drink menus to supply guests with something altogether more memorably palatable.
Unique dishes like Maple Moonshine Mussels, Pulled Jackfruit Chilli and Truffle Mac & Cheese Gratin sit alongside burgers, salads, steaks, roast dinners, loaded fries and delicious sides (think confit garlic mash, Cajun skinny fries and corn on the cob) to ensure a scrumptious feast for all.
Those with a penchant for statement drinks will delight in Rebellion’s Smokin’ Gun or Flaming cocktails (yes, really!), while more classic tastes will be thrilled by the Moonshine Mary or Cornish Moonshine Mojito. Plus, with an ever-changing menu of seasonal specials (past creations include the Sloe Down Rudolph – a mix of sloe gin, Aperol, pumpkin spice, Martini Rosso, Angostura bitters, cherries, slice of orange and cinnamon stick) – you’ll discover something dazzlingly different to try whenever you rock up at Rebellion Roast House.
Ginger & Joe
Best for: Creative cocktails
42 East Street, Newquay TR7 1BE
gingerandjoe.co.uk
Created by the founders of Secret Garden, Ginger & Joe brings the vibes - and the cocktails. Each cocktail is a true celebration of flavour and, dare we say, innovation, with quirky glasses and garnishes kicking the experience up a notch.
We love the Pineapple Cinnamon Whisky for its smooth finish and fiery (quite literally) final touches, and the Joe’s 99, which needs to be seen to be believed (imagine a steampunk ice cream cone). Of course, the team is always looking to craft something new, so make sure you pop in to find out what new and exciting flavour combinations are on offer!
Ensuring no cocktail goes without a plate of something tasty by its side, you’ll also find an excellent food menu here. Evenings are all about small plates with big flavour, whether you want some seriously sticky chicken wings, finger-licking spare ribs, or monkfish scampi with charred lemon. And on Sunday, this winsome bar becomes one of the best spots in Newquay to grab a Sunday lunch, with incredible local cuts and produce promising a truly Cornish affair.
Tom Thumb Cocktail Bar
Best for: Spirits and sustainability
27A East Street, Newquay, TR7 1DN
tom-thumb.co.uk
Presenting ‘bold classics and original creations’, Tom Thumb is renowned for its mouth-watering drinks menu. Along with well-known concoctions such as Margaritas, Negronis and Mai Tais, visitors can experiment with bespoke tipples like Autumn Edge, champagne cocktails (aka ‘Giggle Water’) such as The Rip Chord and Kir Royale, or equally as tantalising non-alcoholic ‘Driving Juice’ like the Garden Cooler, Easy Bramble and Pomelo Sour.
Sustainability is as much of a focus as quality, and Tom Thumb’s journey to zero waste is being undertaken by small actions such as foraging and growing their own garnishes, using LED light bulbs, stocking paper straws and reusing bottles along with grander gestures including using a 100% renewable energy supplier and reducing their carbon footprint by limiting deliveries to just once a week, allowing you to indulge your taste buds in all this earth-friendly knowledge.
The Dead Famous
Best for: Late-night cocktails
8-10 Beach Road, Newquay, TR7 1ES
thedeadfamous.co.uk
Situated in the town centre, the late-night liquor lounge promises a heady dose of hard liquor, cocktails and live music, making it one of Newquay’s most lusted-after locales.
The rock-inspired, LA-style establishment offers industrial-cool interiors and a laidback atmosphere for visitors to sample the drinks menu, which is also accompanied by classic cuisine such as gourmet burgers, loaded fries and scrumptious sides. Tipple-wise, think cocktails with a rock ‘n’ roll twist (and amusing song-inspired names), such as the Pretty Fly For a Mai Tai, Hotel Caipirinha, Bohemian Daiquiri and Espresso Yourself.
Playing live HD sports on their 75” LCD screen, the bar is renowned for its weekly live music experiences and DJ nights covering all genres to electrifying effect.
Boardmasters Beach Bar
Best for: Beach views
Headland Road, Newquay, TR7 1HY
boardmastersbeachbar.com
If you’re dreaming of uninterrupted views of Newquay’s famous surf beach while sinking a sundowner, Boardmasters Beach Bar is the venue for you. Sitting on the shoreline within stone-throwing distance of the sea, it presents a heady combination of spectacular location, crowd-pleasing menus and year-round events including Boardmasters Surf Festival, Fistral Fireworks and the UK Pro Surf Night Surf contest. Then there are terrace parties, allowing everyone to soak up the atmosphere in fabulously chilled-out style.
Take shelter from the elements and snuggle up on the sofa with a hot chocolate or freshly ground mug of Joe, or select something from the drinks menu that features local offerings such as Rattler cider, Tribute ales and Camel Valley wines alongside a host of delectable drinks from across the globe and cocktails such as Candy Floss Gin and Beach Bar Mimosa. Should you feel peckish, pick a dish from their breakfast, pizza, loaded fries, tacos, or flatbread menus guaranteed to sate all appetites.
Lewinnick Lodge
Best for: Sprawling sea views
Pentire headland, Newquay TR7 1QD
ewinnicklodge.co.uk/eat
Sea views are easy to come by in Newquay, but none quite so dramatic as those found at Lewinnick Lodge. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic swells, this fine-dining favourite is a true coastal haven, perfect for a relaxing cocktail and delicious dinner.
The cocktail menu is split into five - yes, five - collections: apéritif, breakfast, dessert, non-alcoholic, and Lewinnick favourites. This means you can start your day with a full Cornish breakfast and a spicy Bloody Mary, enjoy a refreshing Negroni with Lantic Gin as you peruse the menu at lunch, and finish off your decadent meal with a Lewinnick Mudslide, which promises a luxurious mix of Baileys, Kahlua, crème de cacao, and whipped cream.
For food, you’ll find a merry mix here with a real focus on Cornish flair. Think cider-braised pork belly, moules frites, and a tasty butternut squash risotto with crumbled blue cheese. We also highly recommend visiting on a Sunday, when Lewinnick’s famous Sunday lunch is served. All the usual choices are on the menu, alongside some pub classics to ensure everyone finds something they fancy.
Feeling hungry? Check out more places to eat in Newquay.
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Tags: Newquay | Food and Drink | Food and Drink |