Skip to main content
BusinessesMap
Life on Mars — Cocktail bars in York

Life on Mars

Cocktail barsYork

4.7 out of 5 stars4.7(93 reviews)

Advertisements

Quick info

West Lodge, Lendal Bridge, York YO1 7DP, United Kingdom
£10–20

About Life on Mars

Life on Mars is a cocktail bar and cafe in York, set in an antique toll keeper's lodge on Lendal Bridge at West Lodge. The lodge has turret rooms and river views, with seating downstairs alongside the bar area, and York Station is a 5-minute walk away. Craft cocktails here are paired with handmade Chinese dumplings. The drinks list includes original named cocktails such as Pretty in Pink and Pandemonium, served with big ice cubes. The bartender will also build a custom cocktail around the flavours a guest likes and dislikes, or make a favourite on request. Curated wines, local coffee and Chinese teas round out the menu. The business started in 2018 in Shenzhen before opening in York. Guests can bring their dogs along.

Advertisements

Reviews

4.7/5
93 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention original cocktails, dumplings, negroni and historic bridge building.

5★
79
4★
8
3★
2
2★
2
1★
2

Customer Review Summary

Cocktails are the draw for nearly every reviewer, who describe the drinks as original, complex, tasty and surprising. One couple calls the negroni the best they have had, and named drinks such as Pretty in Pink, Pandemonium and These Hips Don't Lie get singled out. One reviewer found the menu fun to read and said the drinks, made with high quality ingredients, tasted just as described. Close behind are the delicious dumplings, which a few reviewers enjoyed alongside the cocktails while working through the menu. Staff come across as friendly and knowledgable, and the vibe is fun and chill, with rocking music in a historic toll keeper's lodge on Lendal Bridge with river views and an outdoor terrace. Several stayed longer than planned. One couple lingered for three drinks, enjoying the big ice cubes, and another reviewer was pleased when the bar made a favourite cocktail on request.

Featured reviews

  • Connie
    “An exceptional bar on Lendal Bridge. Seating downstairs and outside in addition to the bar area, and a really impressive menu with cocktails and wines. Staff were very friendly and knowledgable, and I had an excellent cocktail called ‘These Hips Don’t Lie’. I am so glad I dropped in (one of the absolute highlights of my York trip) and highly recommend.”
  • Jamie-Lee Barlow
    “Really tasty cocktails and the staff were friendly and engaged with us. Bar has a nice little concept and the drinks menu was fun to read through. We came mid-day so only had one drink each, drinks were high quality ingredients and tasted just as described on menu.”
  • Tammy Cheung
    “Have bookmarked this place for a while as intrigued by the name, and our visit did not disappoint! Loved the cocktails, dumplings and ambience. A rainy afternoon well-spent :)”
  • Jeremy Taylor
    “I hadn't realised the old cafe had gone but walking past I noticed something had changed. And wow what a change. Well done to Ross his original cocktails were so very very very good. I was so impressed I temporarily lost the missus as I stayed to try another one. Next time I'm in York I'm definitely going back but I'll try to be a better husband and keep her with me but I enjoyed the cocktails and was so impressed maybe I won't notice if she wants to leave without me.”
  • Pete Crompton
    “Some of the most surprising, but delicious cocktails we’ve ever had. A great atmospheric place for pre-dinner drinks - or to end the day. We wished we had more time to try even more of the menu!”
Read all 93 reviews on Google

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Highlights

“Cafe by day, heavy rocking craft cocktail bar by night, Life on Mars is a vibrant fusion of European and Asian flavours that started in 2018 in Shenzhen and now comes to York. Located a 5-minute walk from York Station right on Lendal Bridge, we are the perfect alternative to the usual tourist traps. Whether you're stepping off the direct line from London, Edinburgh, or anywhere along the route, it's the ultimate spot to drop your bags and unwind. We specialise in craft cocktails, curated wines, local coffee, and fine Chinese teas that pair perfectly with fresh, handmade Chinese dumplings. Pull up a stool at the bar for a chat, find a cosy corner, or relax in our sun-trapp garden. Come experience York's most unique flavour pairing.”

  • Great cocktails
  • Popular for solo dining

Amenities

  • Outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
  • Dine-in
  • Food at bar
  • Cozy
  • Food
Show more amenities
  • Free water refills
  • Table service
  • Solo dining
  • Restroom
  • Trendy
Offerings· 4
  • Alcohol
  • Cocktails
  • Hard liquor
  • Wine
Atmosphere· 1
  • Casual
Crowd· 2
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Dining options· 1
  • Seating
Highlights· 1
  • Great cocktails

Location

Cocktail bars near Life on Mars

Life on Mars
£10–20
4.793
  • Bobos Cocktail Bar York4.62,010
    0.2 mi£10–20

    attentive table service, prompt seating, drinks

  • DumDum4.8660
    0.2 mi£10–20

    2 for 1 cocktails, pina coladas, cocktails off the menu

The 2 nearest cocktail bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

More to explore in York

House Of The Trembling Madness // Stonegate (The Original), York

58 places

Bars in York

Photo: House Of The Trembling Madness // Stonegate (The Original) · 4.7 · 5,034 Google reviews

See all 58 bars in York
  • Valhalla York, York4.7 · Valhalla York

    Pubs

    22 places

  • The Cut & Craft York, York4.5 · The Cut & Craft York

    Restaurants

    105 places

  • The Pig and Pastry, York4.8 · The Pig and Pastry

    Cafes

    29 places

DirectionsTop