Feel the summer vibes at one of East Anglia’s top 10 cocktail bars

Aqua Eight, Ipswich. Picture: Contributed (Image: Archant)

Aurora, Ipswich

There's no denying the appeal of this glass-fronted restaurant and bar, which gazes out over the glittering marina and feels as if it could really be anywhere in the world when nighttime falls.

Currently drinkers are loving More Summer- Absolut Raspberri, crème de framboise, passionfruit juice and cranberry juice. You'll find five types of mojito (gin and chocolate anyone?), eight martinis and so much more to quench your thirst. It's two for £10 on selected cocktails during cocktail hour. See the website for details.

The new-look terrace area at The Crown at Woodbridge. Picture: TA Collection (Image: Archant)

Frank's Bar, Norwich

Tucked away in the Norwich Lanes, Frank's café-bar is a cosy retreat that will both delight and surprise visitors due to its eclectic décor and unusual menu. Stop by and order yourself a tall glass of 'Don't Worry Bee Happy', an intriguing cocktail that combines Old Krupnik honey, Japanese royal honey liqueur, lemon juice and ginger bitters.

The Bar at The Cliff Hotel, Gorleston. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

The Northgate, Bury St Edmunds

At weekends the bar here throngs with people – spilling out onto the huge suntrap terrace. The bar team are ultra talented, making their own infusions and mixtures for a menu that is so exciting and full of surprises. We love Lost in Japan, which combines toasted sesame seed infused Beefeater 24 gin with Umeshu sake, apricot and Belsazar rose. There's even a faux G and T for drivers.

The Cliff Hotel, Gorleston

Gonzo's bartender Jackson Swallow with his cocktail called Jimmy Rustler, which has won him a place in the regional finals of Southern Comfort's Southern Showdown competition. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

There's nothing quite like enjoying a fruity cocktail at the weekend. There's also nothing quite like enjoying said fruity cocktail with a sea view, which is exactly what The Cliff Hotel in Gorleston offers. The bar's menu is extensive and has something for everyone, from classic Mojitos to alcoholic milkshakes and smoking cocktails made using exclusive jet chill technology. The gin menu is pretty special too – we rather like the sound of the clotted cream gin and spit-roasted pineapple gin.

Nine Jars, Haverhill

You've got your pina coladas and your Singapore slings, but much of the menu here dares to be different. Filepe's Slammer combines gin, Southern Comfort, Amaretto, orange juice and grenadine, and is named for the head barman. And we'd love to try the Jam Doughnut – Chambord, Baileys, vanilla ice cream and cherry syrup. But we're pretty sure we'd have to order that one as dessert.

Warwick St Social, Norwich

This stylish bar and restaurant in Norwich's Golden Triangle, prides itself on serving 'on-point drinks' and is an ideal place for a get-together over a cocktail at any time of the day. Their drinks menu is divided into two, with one section featuring classics such as a Tom Collins and the other offering twists on classics and various spirit infusions crafted by their bartenders.

Aqua Eight, Ipswich

A slick Pan-Asian fusion restaurant that comes alive on Saturday nights when there's often a DJ playing in the gardens.

We adore the Chinese Green Dragon – banana liqueur, Malibu, lemon liqueur and pineapple. But our favourite drink in summer is Twinkle – prosecco, Belvedere and elderflower cordial. The booze-free apple mojito is excellent too. Enjoy two cocktails for £15 up to 10pm each night (excluding Champagne cocktails).

Archers Kitchen & Cocktail Bar, King's Lynn

Archers is a locally owned restaurant that serves American and British food and doubles as a cocktail bar on weekend evenings, serving a mixture of classic tipples and their own creations, made with fresh fruit and quality spirits. In a review posted to Facebook, Richard Magrin claims their drinks were the 'best cocktails [he] ever had', while Sarah Patricia said they were 'absolutely divine'.

The Crown, Woodbridge

In the evenings there's always a hive of activity around the bar of this hotel. And with a new terrace area, there's even more space to enjoy the long cocktail list this summer. The team make all the classics, and specialise in martinis with flavours such as espresso, watermelon, chocolate orange, apple and even bikini – Malibu, Absolut Citron, pineapple juice and grenadine syrup – sunshine in a glass.

Gonzo's Tea Room, 68 London Street, Norwich

Quirky and alive are just two of the many words that can be used to describe Gonzo's. The former home of Kartel turned tearoom/bar serves food to its customers throughout the day and brings out the stronger tipples in the evening. Every drink is made with flair and staff are happy to create any cocktail your heart should desire. With a happy hour in the early evening making drinks great value for money, this venue crammed full of nostalgic memorabilia is a must-visit.