There’s plenty of ‘secret’ bars and beer gardens hiding in Nottingham – you just need to know where to look.
Residents and visitors are being invited to enjoy a drink in the city’s ‘most secret’ bars this summer to celebrate the end of lockdown.
They include a speakeasy tucked away behind a slim doorway on Byard Lane, and a beer garden hidden behind a residential door on Low Pavement.
So if you’re planning an ‘underground' pub crawl this summer – or just want to try out one of the ‘secret’ hideaways, 2Chill has collated a list of ‘secret’ bars and beer gardens in Nottingham for you to try.
Lost Property, The Lost Caves and Drum & Basement
Located beneath the Mercure Nottingham City Centre George Hotel, Lost Property is a hidden bar that you may already have on your radar.
The unique venue is much loved for its bizarre décor, including a wall of old-fashioned suitcases and a wall full of brown tags signed by guests.
It’s walk-in only, and is open from 5pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Even more excitingly, there’s actually two other bars hidden within this site.
Keep heading down from Lost Property to find two more establishments, also by Curious Venues, concealed below their more famous sibling.
Set in the extensive cave system beneath, The Lost Cave is dimly lit and all about the chilled vibes – the perfect spot for a date.
Or, if you’re after glow in the dark shots, stacks of vintage VCRs and drum and bass tunes all night, keep going until you reach the newest addition, called Drum & Basement.
The Magic Garden
Keen to get some fresh air while you sip your drink? The Magic Garden, at 24-26 Low Pavement, has that in spades.
The leafy paradise is close to the hustle and bustle of The Lace Market’s cobbled streets – yet seems a world away.
A new restoration project by the creative minds behind Nottingham favourite Das Kino, The Magic Garden is hidden away within a Grade-II listed property.
Access it via an unassuming residential doorway.
Decked out with benches, fairy lights and colourful lanterns galore, this secret summer bar is perfect as a date spot or meet-up with friends.
As well as – including the bright blue ‘Finding Nemo’ – there’s also High Tea every Saturday and Sunday on the newly transformed first floor.
Both ‘Bottomless’ and ‘Virgin’ options are available.
The Hockley Arts Club
The hidden bar to The Magic Garden’s secret garden, this venue was dreamed up by the same creatives – and is just as exciting.
Think pink and blue neon lights, indoor flowers and funky furnishings.
Tucked away behind Hockley’s bustling backstreets, The Hockley Arts Club is the most spacious hidden venue on this list.
Choose from “Stockholm”, the ground floor’s Scandi-inspired independent bar, or the fashionable “Blue Rooms”, on the middle floor.
It also has its very own secluded garden, called The Electric Garden, on the top floor.
Open 5pm to 12am Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
House of Coco Tang
A café serving specialty coffee and Vietnamese cakes by day, Coco Tang turns into speakeasy “House of Coco Tang” at night.
Tucked away in Byard Lane, a slim doorway leading downstairs to an underground bar for those in the know.
The entrance has been converted to resemble an old-style Hong Kong alleyway. In fact, it’s a genuine replica of a 1980s Mong Kok alley.
There’s also a Vietnamese roof garden, inspired by 1950s Saigon, with tropical plants galore.
The venue has also recently converted its corner cove into “The Lagoon”, a “paradise escape” that features luminous blue floors and furniture fit for a beach bar.
The cocktails are highly eclectic – including a number of “coffee cocktails”, as well as drinks served in vintage tea sets, glass vases and even a coconut.
Boilermaker
Boilermaker is the original secret bar in Nottingham, and well worth a trip this summer.
Once behind the façade of a boiler shop, this notorious venue is now hidden behind an independent coffee shop. Head through the secret door and you’ll be in a lively bar, decorated to look like a Moroccan riad.
Current specials include "Robin Goods: Prince of Leaves" and a "Not-Quite-Right White Russian", which is made with a “good lashing of espresso” and flipped on its side, literally.
A statement on the website reads: “Whilst we certainly cannot help with your central heating, we can assist in wasting your time in the most efficient way possible.”
The quirky bar, located on Carlton Street, serves a range of brightly-coloured cocktails, and only offers table service to save you the “leg work”.
The hidden venue is open from 5pm to 1am, Tuesday to Friday, and from 3pm on Saturdays.
It’s also walk-ins only, so expect to queue!
Nottingham Secret Garden
Nottingham residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to secret al fresco venues.
As the Nottingham Secret Garden ’s name suggests, this secluded beer garden is surrounded by buildings on either side, making it totally out of view from the street.
Look for the neon sign and flower-adorned doorway on Trinity Walk.
Inside it’s all brightly-coloured décor, wooden benches and pretty trailing ivy.
Drinks options are just as fun and include the limited edition “Flutters Flirtini”, a blend of fruity raspberry, vodka and martini, as well as the “Don’t Stop Be-Leafing”.
It’s an outdoor-only venue, so be sure to check the weather forecast – though heaters and umbrellas are on hand if needed.
Slots are an hour and 30 minutes.
You also don’t have to worry about missing Love Island – it’ll likely be on their TVs.
Do you want 2Chill?
Pit & Pendulum
Pit & Pendulum is an under-the-radar bar with a difference.
The Eerie Pubs venue on Victoria Street is gothic-themed and highly quirky.
While the entrance itself isn’t concealed, Pit & Pendulum does have hidden toilets, which are disguised behind a bookshelf – as well as lots of other unique features to discover.
Be warned that you might hear spooky sounds on your journey to the loo, though!
A website statement from Eerie Pubs reads: “A devilishly dark and mysterious world, a hollow in the belly of Nottingham: Pit & Pendulum. Wickedly good drinks, sinfully tempting food and an atmosphere to die for…”
The atmospheric pub has lots of strange and exciting cocktails as well, such as the “Seven Deadly Sins”.
