Bora Bora Cafe and Cocktail Bar

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#569 of 717 Restaurants in York££ - £££, International

+44 1904 541525+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:00 - 0:00

Mon

11:00 - 0:00

Tue

11:00 - 0:00

Wed

11:00 - 0:00

Thu

11:00 - 0:00

Fri

11:00 - 0:00

Sat

11:00 - 0:00

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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

3.0

283 reviews

#569 of 717 Restaurants in York

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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PRICE RANGE

£5.00 – £15.00

CUISINES

International

Meals

After-hours, Drinks

features

Location and contact

5 Swinegate Court East, York YO1 8AJ England

+44 1904 541525

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Are the prices at this restaurant mid-range / moderate?

Yes

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Details

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About

Holiday Bar,small And Outside Seating Area With Heaters.

PRICE RANGE

£5.00 – £15.00

CUISINES

International

Meals

After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards

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3.0

283 reviews

Excellent

106

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Amy W

Cambridge63 contributions

Cocktail Afternoon

Aug 2020 • none

We were guided here bank holiday Monday afternoon as we couldn't find anywhere with space for a quick drink. We ended up having three rounds of cocktails, they were reasonably priced and the service was good. The cocktails were quite basic, but were enjoyable, and we wouldn't hesitate to come back again.

Written 9 September 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jenni M

Glasgow26 contributions

Good for a cocktail.

Apr 2023 • couples

Nice wee bar. Quite but we where drinking early. Fast service nice average cocktails. We would definitely come back on or next visit.

Written 6 April 2023

Martin B

5 contributions

All Web information incorrect

Feb 2023 • couples

Came to bar for the deals online, no deals all information online is out of date and obsolete and prices are about £3+ more on some of the drinks very poor form.

Written 3 February 2023

Kerry F

21 contributions

Gone downhill

Dec 2019 • couples

Have been to this cocktail bar a few times before over the last couple of years. This time there was no one in the bar which should have set off warning bells. We still gave it a go and I ordered a Pina Colada and a red wine which came to £14.50. It took less than 2 minutes to make my cocktail which wasn't very good. The barman didn't stay behind the bar, just went to socialise with his friends. Will not visit again.

Written 16 January 2020

OliviaLA

York1 contribution

The best cocktails and service in York!!

Jul 2020 • friends

I came to Bora Bora with my friend late one evening after previously eating at D’vine. There was a slight wait to be seated so we were offered a table in the neighbouring restaurant, Lucia’s. We were then offered a table at Bora Bora quickly after. They have dividing screens to separate tables as well as a sanitising station at the main entrance. After being seated we were introduced to the wonderful staff and a delightful drinks menu. The service was fast and friendly throughout the night, and the atmosphere was lively and quirky, with the abroad feeling and setting. They have outdoor seating and heaters close by. I highly recommend Bora Bora if you’re looking for friendly staff, amazing cocktails and the best shots for a very decent price! I can’t wait to come back, thank you to the Bora Bora team, you made our night!

Written 4 August 2020

BlueFan

9 contributions

Worst experience…. go if you want to catch COVID

Jul 2021 • friends

Went with friends and was served by a man with a tiny moustache and a massive watch on his wrist (if that helps narrow it down). He was rude and disrespectful to us and especially my friend who has a disability. He made us feel like we didn’t belong there and kept looking at us up and down. When we asked for a table he looked at his female co-worker, pulled a face and looked back at us with disgust. He was the most careless server I’d ever seen. He’d pull down his mask when talking to customers - imagine the health and safety standards are quite low then - and stood in front of the tables on his phone and smoking a cigarette. He acted charming and funny to other customers but looked at us like we were dirt. It was embarrassing being there because it was obvious he was mocking my friend and clearly thought we weren’t good enough for this place. The experience was like sitting in school with the popular kids laughing and sniggering at you. We were then served later on by a nice young gentlemen who treated us more like human beings, unlike the tiny moustache man at the front door. The other staff were nice and the drinks tasted great but it’s a shame that a man who acts like that towards people is allowed to work there. We left early because we felt unwanted there. I recommend this place to anyone who is alright with catching COVID and likes to be made to feel like crap from tiny moustache man. This seemed like such a lovely place to visit and I’m sure everyone else is lovely but I don’t think we’ll be going there ever again. I really hope no one else experiences what we did.

Written 15 July 2021

adam_nowell

Haworth13 contributions

OVERPRICED , OVERICED, NEVER AGAIN!

Dec 2021 • none

Apologies for the late review - but better late than never, and apologies to those that this may have helped between our visit and now ! Where do we begin to tell you how we will never, ever be visiting this bar again. We (two couples) were heading back to our Airbnb after having had a lovely meal, and as you do with all the little side streets of York, came across Bora Bora. looked nice and inviting, with an outside area for the four of us (three were smokers) menus were on the tables, and the place looked rather nice. we selected four cocktails and me/Allan went to order them. Inside, the music was too loud, it was dimly lit, and had a small bar. they had two staff behind the bar that had no idea who was next, or even who they were serving at times, it was shockingly slow. The barman (with zero interest) came to us and just nodded as if to ask if we were next, no conversation, no eye contact, no 'evening, what can i get you' no nothing. we ordered the four cocktails, with barely any acknowledgement, just a simple 'hmm' again, no conversation, no eye contact, nothing ! they were put on the bar front and he mumbled the price and spun the contactless card reader round to pay -we paid - he tore the receipt of and passed it across. again, not a thank you, not an enjoy your drinks, nothing, like NOTHING! The cocktails were substandard at best. they were full of ice, like literally ice from the bottom to the top. they had little or no flavour to them, with each cocktail ordered being different. Then dawned on us that we didn't actually see him making them, as his back was to us all the time. by this time, the doorman had arrived and were holding a loud conversation with (presumably) the owner, and they just looked like customers. I'll be honest, if you are going to be ordering £45+ of drinks (four cocktails), then I wouldn't mind a bit of hello, please and thank you, and certainly would expect the cocktails to be of a reasonable standard. there is no constructive criticism we can leave or add any positive comment to this review. maybe we chose a bad day, maybe we got the wrong barman, maybe our expectations were too high, but you should at least have standards, so i would leave this review with a bit of advice : Just don't do it !! Yes the bar looks nice and inviting, but that's were the enjoyment stops, or certainly our enjoyment stopped.

Written 14 May 2022

merc010

Grimsby40 contributions

Cocktails

Sept 2021 • couples

What a end to a long day, visited this place 2 evenings in a row after being on our feet exploring all day. We made a mistake of going to a place near by for two for one cocktails, what a disappointment. By chance we decided to try here on our way back to our hotel, and was actually amazed. The staff were brilliant my partner is an old school and wanted a good old traditional Black Russian which was not on any menus. The lady who served us knew exactly what he was talking about and went above and beyond to make him the best one he’s had. I myself tried a couple on the menu but hands down the caiprinha cocktail won. It’s actually really cheap for what you get taste and strength wise. We enjoyed our visit so much we returned the next evening and was again welcomed by all. We had a brilliant date night but also chatted to other guests and staff feeling a great sense of welcome. The music, outdoor heaters, cleanliness, staff, security and atmosphere was just a big bonus. We will defiantly return and would highly recommend.

Written 27 September 2021

Danielle G

2 contributions

Shocking

Nov 2021 • family

Normally has a good atmosphere at this bar such a shame… I stood at the bar for over 20 minutes, everyone around me was served by the 2 male and 2 females behind the bar. Then people behind me started getting served as I was ignored. By the third person after me being served I decided to leave.

Written 5 November 2021

Carl

Dewsbury1 contribution

Rude staff - unprovoked.

Sept 2022 • friends

Just echoing other recent posts. Really rude doorman. Friend was looking for ID and he said ‘ go to Tescos and drink at home if your not old enough ‘. We are 33, 33 & 25 but look younger. Bar lady walked into me and I said ‘ Oh sorry about that ‘ & she replied ‘you will be’. (Not at all joking) We had just had meals & a bottle of prosecco to share at Lucias & we’re planning on having a few cocktails but walked out within 10 mins. I know my review means nothing but felt obliged after that.

Written 18 September 2022

Katie H

1 contribution

Awful!

Oct 2022 • friends

A group of 8 of us came here for drinks on a Saturday night (couples) from going into the place was a disaster! We were told by staff we had to sit at two separate tables because our group was too big so we weren’t allowed to sit together even though there was enough room for us to. Ordered drinks which weren’t cheap and were horrible anyways only to be kept being told off by the doorman like naughty school children for laughing. I mean I could be wrong but I’m sure when you go out for drinks with friends you’re supposed to have a laugh right?? After being here for about half an hour a member of our group laughed, at that point the doorman came over again telling us off like naughty school children and told us to be quiet, the place was dead and had no atmosphere and I can see why as your clearly banned from having any type of fun in this establishment! After this a member of our group went to the bar to order a drink to which a man in a red hoodie who I’m assuming was the manger told him we would not be served anymore drinks and we had to leave when we finished the ones we purchased. The funny thing was nor the rude doorman or the rude manager could give us any time of explanation as to why we were getting kicked out, absolutely disgusting treatment and customer service, spoke to the manger as this point who clearly could not care less and again could not give us any type of explanation as to what we had done wrong to be getting kicked out. Probably because there WASN’T one!! Would not return here to spend money on expensive drinks again and I will make sure I tell everyone planning to drink in York not to visit this joke of a place! Made to feel like animals and I’m pleased that in this days climate they can afford to turn people away in big groups who would have probably spent hundreds of pounds on drinks. So basically if you want to sit in a place with not once once of atmosphere and be told off like a naughty child by rude staff then this place is definitely for you, if your out to have a good time then keep on walking! Do not even give this place the time of day!

Written 30 October 2022

bethan p

2 contributions

Would give 0 if i could

Sept 2020 • friends

Totally understand the social distancing, but allowing people to dance in the main bar is beyond a joke, it’s of covid safe and defo not keeping to the the 2m / 1m sage distance. And to top it al off, i mentioned it to bouncer and they weren’t even bothered. Cocktail jugs aren’t worth the money - tasted like water! if this is your last resort then fine but not for me xoxoxo

Written 11 September 2020

Doolittle36

Laganas3 contributions

Large group refused entry to empty bar

Aug 2021 • friends

Group of nine of us went around 4.30 pm on Bank Holiday Sunday, not drunk, not loud but asked if a table was available. Being only 2 other people inside and no queue it was obvious there was ample space. We were told on the door they couldn't accommodate us as they only did tables of up to 3 people. We asked could we have 3 tables we didn't mind being spaced about but were told no. We would have spent around 2 hours and rather a lot of money so it is the owners loss. Their logic seemed to be that 3 hypothetical tables were more financially benficial than our groups. Will not attempt to return. Door staff rude and dismissive.

Written 31 August 2021

Kat

York5 contributions

The friendliest bar and great cocktails

Jul 2020 • friends

If you want a great cocktail, fab atmosphere, friendliest staff and cracking shots, this is the place to come. My friend and I had the best night out at Bora Bora and Lucia’s due to the amazing atmosphere and great treatment by staff. Even the manager took it upon himself to welcome the customers and interact throughout the night. We will definitely be returning, thanks Bora Bora!

Written 4 August 2020

Georgia13Wrightyeh

15 contributions

Great!

Jun 2021 • none

Cocktails are a great price and staff are lovely. Especially, Elise. Gave a great vibe and was a good laugh to even when she wasn’t serving you. Gave the bar a bit of a lively vibe which is hard to do especially after the pandemic. Will definitely come back! The staff dealt with problematic customers the best way I’ve ever seen it done. Extremely impressed, well done!!

Written 29 June 2021

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