94 Granby St, Leicester LE1 1DJ

About This Pub

You know, when I think about Watson's Cocktail Bar, it's got this real homely vibe that just draws you in – it's like stumbling upon a secret gem in the heart of Leicester, all dedicated to the founder of veganism, Donald Watson. The cocktails are where it shines; they're crafted with such care and flair, offering these adventurous flavours that make every sip feel special, whether it's their herbal gin numbers or the spicy Indian-inspired ones. The staff are an absolute delight, always chatty and making sure everything runs smoothly, which really elevates the experience. And the decor? It's got that quirky, cosy charm that makes you want to linger. On the downside, though, it's a bit of a shame it's only open a few days a week, so you'll need to plan ahead, and I've heard from a couple of people that some drinks didn't quite hit the spot as hoped, maybe setting expectations a tad high. Still, for anyone keen on ethical, sophisticated tipples, it's well worth checking out – I'd say give it a go and see for yourself!

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it feel like a cosy hideaway in Leicester.
  • Staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, always ready for a chat and to make you feel welcome.
  • Cocktails are a real highlight – they're deliciously crafted with unique flavours, especially the vegan twists like the passionfruit and pineapple mix.
  • The decor is quirky and beautiful, adding a touch of elegance and intrigue to the whole experience.
  • It's brilliant for private events, with helpful organisation that makes hosting a breeze.
Cons
  • It's only open three days a week, which can make it tricky to pop in on a whim.
  • Some of the signature cocktails might not always live up to expectations, as a few folks have found them a bit underwhelming.
  • With a moderate price tag, it could feel a tad pricey for what you get, depending on your budget.

Contact Information

94 Granby St, Leicester LE1 1DJ
+447961768949
Pub
Closed today

Opening Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday (Today)Closed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday17:00 - 00:00
Friday12:00 - 01:00
Saturday12:00 - 01:00
SundayClosed

Location

Recent Reviews

🌟 **Review for Watson Cocktail Bar in Leicester** 🌟 I had a fantastic experience at Watson Cocktail Bar! The atmosphere made me feel right at home, and the hospitality was top-notch. The staff is friendly and attentive, creating a warm and inviting environment. Special thanks to Patricia, Cam, and Bsmba for their exceptional service and making my visit memorable. If you’re looking for great cocktails and a welcoming vibe, this is the place to be! Highly recommend! 🍹🙌 Thank you, Watson Cocktail Bar! 🥳
TE
Tommo Engels
Loved it!!! Decor is lovely, too Really friendly staff. So chatty and welcoming. My pornstar Martini was delicious 😋. Nothing to dislike. Definitely recommend. Definitely going again Thank you!!!
M
Muna
We sought refuge from a rainy Sunday afternoon, and fell into this gem of a cocktail bar, the welcome was friendly, the decor is interesting, and the overall feel cosy. We had 2 cocktails each, and they were lovely, and plenty boozy. The menu has a really good selection of cocktails I'd not seen before, and old favourites. I'd definitely return if I'm in the area again.
GB
Giles Batchelor
Visited last night and possibly had too high expectations - I would try this place again for drink with friends on a night out as they have an extensive drinks menu. The alcoholic teas sound really interesting, and they do most of the classic cocktails. The signature ones we tried on the night just weren't for us taste wise - despite help from our server, we probably just chose wrong. Bar tender was dressed as a pirate, which was fun - the bar has got a mish mash interior inside. Bartender checked if I was ok with real milk in my cocktail, which I wasn't expecting as it's a vegan bar, but I like that they asked - staff seemed very friendly, drinks were made well and service was fast - we did order some fries with our drinks but they must have forgot, we had to ask to for them again and when they came they were undercooked. Drinks are pretty though. Food menu - is extremely limited. It's mostly bar snacks really, like nuts and limited tapas thats mostly potato based cause its vegan (despite loving vegan food), I didn't find them appealing, and there is 1 burger. We ordered plain fries... which were a bit undercooked - it came served in a pretty pan There was a live DJ which was a bit much for the small room we did have to shout a little. It was relatively empty when we went, but had we stayed / with more people, the vibe I imagine would be good.
JM
Jessica Morningstar
Amazing place and beautiful interior decor. I would give it 6 stars if I could! This has got to be one of the most classiest and quirkiest bars in Leicester. I hired the venue for my husbands birthday recently. Philip (Folio) was extremely helpful and accommodating. It was organised very last minute but he was able to do everything that was requested. The service on the night was fantastic and the staff were all so friendly and fun. They made everyone feel so welcome. All our guests really enjoyed the theatre style cocktails and the shots were also so smooth and lovely. I also had organised a few food items, which everyone really enjoyed especially the saucy chips. On the night there was also a Jazz player which was the cherry on top. A fantastic place for a drink, food or party. Thank you to all the staff, we had a great time and we'll definitely be back soon. 😃
RV
Radhika Vakani

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