Best Cocktails in Chichester: Your Guide to the City's Top Bars
Chichester might be best known for its cathedral spire and Roman walls but tucked between the historic streets is a growing cocktail scene that's gaining momentum. Whether you're after a five-star signature serve, a Spanish-inspired sundowner, or a proper old-school Negroni, here's where to head to find the best cocktails in Chichester this summer.
1. The Ivy Chichester Brasserie for glamour and a seasonal twist
No list of Chichester's best drinks would be complete without The Ivy. This summer, the Chichester Brasserie has launched its Summer of Sport Cocktails menu, a line-up built around Casamigos tequila and inspired by the sporting calendar. Look out for the Match Day Margarita (Blanco, Beesou, lime, hot honey and peach, £12.50), the Pitch Side Paloma (rhubarb, Madeleine liqueur and pink grapefruit, £12.00), and the showstopping Victory Lap, which combines elderflower, Champagne and a hint of coconut for £13.00. If you fancy something a little more savoury, the tequila-and-tomato-juice Tiebreak (£11.30) is their take on a Bloody Mary, while the Finish Line Float brings pineapple, cola and Chantilly cream together for a properly indulgent £13.25 treat. The menu runs daily from 13th June, so there's plenty of time to work your way through it on the terrace.
2. The Rocking Horse for the best cocktail bar in town
If you ask locals where to go for a proper cocktail, chances are they'll point you to The Rocking Horse on Southgate. This intimate, independent bar has built a loyal following for its meticulously crafted drinks, hand-made fruit infusions and artisanal ice, all served in distinctive signature glassware. Regulars rave about the Old Fashioned and the Bloody Mary in particular, while the espresso martinis and playful monthly cocktail specials, dreamed up by the bar's mixologists, keep people coming back. It's a small, quirky space rather than a big chain bar, with a genuinely warm welcome from the staff, plus fun extras like their guess the horses game and regular themed nights. For an evening that feels like more than just a drink, this is the one to book ahead for.
3. The Bar at Fernleigh for refined sipping in elegant surroundings
Just off North Street, Fernleigh offers a different kind of cocktail experience: elegant, unhurried, and set within a beautifully restored Georgian building. Curated fine wines sit alongside signature cocktails, served either in the main bar or the refined Georgian Room, with additional seating in the light-filled Blue Lounge during the day. It's a lovely spot for pre-theatre drinks or an intimate catch-up. Dog owners will appreciate that four-legged friends are welcome in the bar and lounge areas. The evening bar runs Thursday to Saturday, so it's worth timing your visit if you want the full cocktail menu rather than just the daytime café offering. Check Fernleigh's own site for their current drinks list and keep an eye on their events page, they've been known to run 2-for-1 cocktail evenings through the week.
4. Purchases Restaurant for classic cocktails made properly
Tucked away on the high street, Purchases has quietly built one of the most comprehensive cocktail lists in Chichester. Alongside the standard classics: Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Caipirinha, Mai Tai and a Negroni made with Portobello Road gin and Campari, the real draw is the Old Fashioned, where you can choose your bourbon: Maker's Mark, Eagle Rare, or, if you're celebrating, a 24-year Blanton's Original Single Barrel. Their Espresso Martini is made with a house coffee liqueur and Purchases' own signature coffee blend, and their signature Midnight in Paris — Sussex brandy, blackcurrant and hazelnut and chocolate liqueur, topped with Champagne — was named among Martell's top 10 Best Cognac Cocktails worldwide. With an impressively deep gin and rum list sourced from small producers across the UK and beyond, this is the spot for anyone who takes their spirits seriously.
5. El Matador for Spanish flair and the best sangria in the city
For something with a bit more sunshine in the glass, head down into the cellar at El Matador, Chichester's very own Spanish tapas and cocktail bar. Set beneath St Pancras in a converted wine cellar, complete with candlelight and the occasional live guitarist, El Matador pairs its tapas menu with a cocktail and sangria list that regularly gets singled out by visitors, more than one review has called it the best sangria they've had outside Spain. It's the perfect setting for a long, unhurried evening of small plates and drinks shared around the table, and the sun terrace is a bonus for warmer evenings.
Chichester's cocktail scene is well worth exploring
From The Ivy's polished seasonal menu to The Rocking Horse's cult-favourite Old Fashioneds, Fernleigh's elegant Georgian setting, Purchases' serious classics list, and El Matador's Spanish sangria, Chichester has become a proper destination for good cocktails. Whichever end of the city you're starting from, there's a glass worth seeking out.
