By Annabel Bienfait, Community Editor
Sometimes, all you need is a catch-up with friends over a couple of cocktails. Whether it be a spicy marg or a classy cosmo, who can blame you for ditching the pints for something more sophisticated? Well… until you check your bank account the next day. ‘Cocktails’ and ‘cheap’ don’t mix well together, particularly in Bristol, where drinks prices are constantly climbing, and you’ll get a mojito for £12 on a good day. That’s why I’ve researched and tested some of the best (tequila-based) cocktail deals in Bristol, to find out if they’re really as good as they sound.
Batida
Nestled along Whiteladies Road, Batida is a vibrant restaurant serving up authentic Latin cuisine with plenty of flavour and flair. Their standard menu offers a range of mouthwatering dishes: Argentinian steak sandwiches, citrusy ‘Jalea’ (Peruvian fried seafood), and loaded chicken burritos to name a few. But they serve up an enticing Taco Tuesday deal. Diners can get 2 tacos and a marg for £13.50, double this for £24, or 6 of each for £39. Tempted by the extensive taco menu, and the prospect of a couple of drinks, me and my friends headed to Batida to see if the deal is worth it.
Drinks
In the name of research and science, we ordered every margarita they had on the menu. This included the classic, spicy, mango, passionfruit, strawberry, and raspberry. First impressions: the drinks were well sized and noticeably strong, but not overbearingly so. The glasses were frozen, with salted rim, and the drinks are served as slushies, which added to the decadent fun of the experience. We all rated the classic our favourite: it was sweet and citrusy, but perfectly refreshing. The fruity margs were also strong, although definitely on the sweeter side. Whereas the mango packed a tropical punch, the two berry drinks tasted very similar, with not much depth of flavour. As for the spicy marg, it had a strong picante kick, which wasn’t for the faint of heart. These aren’t the classiest cocktails you’ll find: they’re in-your-face, vibrant, and delicious to drink.
Food
Hyped up on tequila and sugar, we tucked into our array of tacos. For three people, we ordered 6 tacos and 2 sides. Each taco was stacked with toppings, from heaps of crispy meat to spoonfuls of salsa and crema. My favourite was the plantain: sat upon richly spiced beans, with a delicious blend of creaminess and sweetness delivered by pomegranate molasses and guacamole. My friends preferred the ‘al pastor’ (which I didn’t try as a self-proclaimed pescetarian). They loved the strength of spice and the ‘perfectly textured’ charred pork belly. Some of the others were worth a miss, namely the tempura prawn and cauliflower tacos. They seemed one-dimensional, and maybe too loaded with guacamole. In fact, the stars of the night were the sides. We ordered calamari (£9.75) and patatas bravas (£7.95). The former was fresh and crispy, accompanied by Batida’s addictive chipotle crema and flamed Padron peppers. And the patatas bravas had a delightful smoked chilli kick. Although not part of the deal, definitely worth a try.
Overview
Batida’s Taco Tuesday deal is a must try. The service was friendly, and the vibe was vibrant and fun. If you want to try any of their other deals, Batida offers:
Bottomless Brunch:
Saturdays 12-4pm, £36.95 per person
Lunch deal:
Main and drink for £12.95
Upgrade to 2 courses (£16.95) or 3 courses (£19.95)
£5 cocktails
Happy Hour :
Everyday 4-7pm, 9:30pm-close
House cocktails 2 for £12
Fun favourites 2 for £14
Barrelhouse
Barrelhouse is an unassuming student institution known for its regular live music, popular pub quiz, and solid draught beer. Tucked away behind the SU, they’ve curated the perfect laid back vibe, which is topped off by friendly service and a bit of country flair. Alongside drinks, they offer a mouthwatering menu of Detroit-style pizza. Think thick crusts, baked with cheese and topped with dollops of fresh tomato sauce. And their cocktail menu has the sophistication and variety to rival their sister pub: Vittoria. After hearing about their 2 for £10 ‘Happy Hour’ deal, my friend and I paid a visit to put the Barrelhouse beverages to the test.
Drinks
We kicked off our dining experience with a couple of cocktails, namely the ‘Bebida Sabrosa’ (tequila, grapefruit, and lemon) and the ‘Cactus Charly’ (tequila, Campari, cucumber and apple). The Bebida Sabrosa was not too strong, with a sour tang to offset its sweetness. It was a solid drink but maybe lacking the complexity of flavour to make it truly memorable. On the other hand, Cactus Charly was light, citrusy and playful, with a hint of bitterness. Sophisticated, yet delicious. The cocktails here are definitely not as strong as those at Batida (or at least they don’t taste it), but at 2 for £10, the price is unbeatable. And I can vouch for the ‘Respect Your Elders’ and ‘Watermelon Sugar’ from previous experience: both great drinks, but nothing mind-blowing.
Food
After sipping on our drinks in the warmth of Barrelhouse’s rooftop terrace, we moved onto our food. Between two of us we shared 4 pizza slices (£5 each) and a side £6). First up, we had the ‘OG Marg’: topped with creamy burrata and moreish herb oil, this slice was delightful. Not too heavy on textures, flavours, or fats, and enhanced by the fluffiness of the focaccia base. The next two were less strong. The ‘Put Your Hands Up For Detroit!’ was a standard pepperoni slice, let down by a red sauce that lacks flavour and freshness, and the ‘Get To The Greek’ was a strange mix of mayo, lettuce and plant-based kebab. Although, on both the ‘meat’ was well cooked and well-seasoned. Lastly, the ‘Magic Mushroom’ was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed the umami flavour of the mushroom and onion, complemented by a sharp balsamic glaze. We finished our meal by sampling the mac n cheese bites: which, aside from the forgettable barbeque sauce, proved to be delicious balls of nacho-cheese goodness.
Kate Gaskill
Overview
With £5 slices and £5 cocktails, you can’t go wrong at Barrelhouse (unless you get the Greek slice, that is). My advice would be, head down on a Monday for their pub quiz, grab some 2-4-1 slices of the ‘OG Marg’ and try out as many of the delicious cocktails as you can stomach. And if it’s a sunny day, make the most of their gorgeous rooftop terrace. Barrelhouse offers:
Detroit Pizza:
£5 slices every day
2-4-1 slices on Mondays
Happy Hour:
Every day, before 10pm
£6 cocktails
2 of the same for £10
Featured Image: Epigram / Annabel Bienfait
Will you try these cocktail deals?
