Olive & Twist - Plymouth City Centre

Forget the ghost of Plymouth’s past. Olive & Twist is the spirit of its present. This bar hides in plain sight on New George Street. It’s a cocktail den that feels like a secret.

The name game

Olive & Twist sounds like a detective duo. Or a weird Dickens spin-off. It’s actually a pun on the classic martini garnish. An olive, plus a twist of lemon. Brilliantly simple.

The bar nails that vibe. Leather chairs whisper “stay awhile.” The lighting is just dim enough to feel mysterious. You half expect a private eye to walk in.

Drinks that tell stories

Their cocktail menu reads like a travelogue. You can sip a “Honey Ryder” or a “Spiced Pear.” Each drink has a backstory. The bartenders love to explain them.

Try the “Smoked Old Fashioned.” It arrives under a glass dome full of mist. You inhale the smoke before you taste the bourbon. It’s like drinking a campfire in a suit.

They also do a mean “Espresso Martini.” It’s joltingly good. The coffee beans are toasted in-house. Tiny details matter here.

Quirky secrets

Look up. The ceiling is covered in vintage umbrellas. Nobody knows why. It just started and stuck.

There’s a hidden nook by the back wall. It’s the best seat for eavesdropping. You’ll hear first dates, business deals, and drunken poetry. It’s a live theatre of Plymouth life.

They even have a “secret menu.” Ask for the “Bartender’s Choice.” You get a drink based on your favourite colour. It’s silly, fun, and deliciously random.

Food? Oh yes.

The bar snacks are underrated. Their olives are massive. Stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. They are salty bombs of joy.

Try the “Crispy Pig Cheeks.” They come on a slate board with apple slaw. It’s posh pub grub. You’ll want two orders.

They also do a “Deconstructed Banoffee.” It arrives in a jar. You mix it yourself. It’s messy, sweet, and a tiny bit dangerous. Perfect.

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The crowd

It’s an eclectic mix. Students with backpacks sit next to retirees in tweed. Thursday nights see live jazz creep in. Everyone sways a little.

Saturday afternoons are quiet. You can nab a corner spot. Read a book or just watch the street. The big front windows are perfect for people-watching.

Sundays? They do a “Bottomless Brunch.” Mimosas flow like the Plym. You’ll leave giggly and full. It’s the best way to ruin a Monday.

Why it works

Olive & Twist doesn’t try too hard. It’s confident in its quirks. The staff wear waistcoats but aren’t snobby.

There’s no pretentious velvet rope. Just a door that clicks open to warmth. You feel included the second you step inside. That’s rare.

Plymouth has many bars. Some are loud. Some are boring. This one is just right. It’s the Goldilocks of cocktail joints.

Fun fact

The bar once hosted a “Silent Disco” night. But only the bartenders wore headphones. They danced while pouring drinks. The customers just watched and laughed. Chaos. Glorious chaos.

Also, their ice is hand-cut. Each cube is a tiny sculpture. It melts slower, so your drink stays cold. That’s obsessive. But in the best way.

Go now

Stop reading. Head to New George Street. Find the olive-green awning. Push open the heavy door.

Order something you can’t pronounce. Eat a pig cheek. Stare at the umbrellas. You’ll get it immediately. Olive & Twist isn’t just a bar. It’s a good mood that serves drinks.