Bora Bora Cafe and Cocktail Bar in York

Nice chilled wine bar with heaters staff pleasant relaxed atmosphere for evening of drinks or cocktails

Not a place to go after 5 pm if you are a family with older children. Security would not listen. Avoid, if you are looking for somewhere to relax and chill with famy after 5pm...theres better places out there.

Price for a cocktail has more than doubled in the last couple of years, as is evident from previous photos. We used to visit everytime we went to York, but we will go elsewhere next time where drink prices are more realistic. It seems everyone else had this idea, as we were the only ones in on this visit in late October. Shame, because it is tucked away from busy streets and is a warm and cosy tropical themed pub with a great selection of cocktails.

Great cocktails and great atmosphere.

Would not go back. Overchaging for drinks and hoping you won't notice. Tried to charge us £40 for a cocktail pitcher which on their menu was £30. Filled it full of ice before putting anything in it and said was for 8 people. Pitcher can serve 6 at a push but not 8. Assuming they think people wont notice when out. We left and would not pay the price, not giving my business to somewhere thats ripping off customers. Website says cocktails under £5, thats not true either, even mocktails are £5.50. Save yourself some money and go somewhere else in York, some fab bars but Bora Bora not one of them.

Best espresso martini in the city ♥️

Treated with total disregard by rude, unhelpful and arrogant bar staff. Ordered 6 cocktails at the bar (no table service). Was asked to order one drink at a time and wait as each cocktail was mixed! Offered to write the order down-dismissed again! Left bar and went to another. The doorman refused us entry as the staff had radioed the other bars in the area to raise concerns over an 'altecation' with a group. We were middle aged couples celebrating a birthday on a quiet Sunday evening. We do NOT regard ourselves as some of the louts that seem to converge on our beautiful city on a weekend. This action appears to be a matter of 'sour grapes' where the bar staff tried to make the customer 'pay' after their own incompetence at providing 6 drinks to serve at a table and a loss over £60.00 of trade. Shame on them all!

Appalling service staff need to spend more time looking after customers and less time groping one another. Already has a crap reputation but never learns

Poor Show! I have never been treated with such utter sustained and contempt! Shame on you for such poor customer service! You were unable to take an order for 6 cocktails and bring them to our table. After we left ( we are not used to being treated like the louts that York seems to attract), you kindly radioed bars in the area and alerted them to a trouble causing group who had had an altercation...we'll done! Thankyou for blaming 6 middle aged adults for your incompetency and lack of customer service. No doubt this review will not make any difference, but I would hope that anyone thinking of patronising Bora Bora cocktail bar will continue to walk past and visit Lucia or The Biltmore where the staff provide service in a much more willing and engaging fashion. Shame on you all!!!!

Loud. More for the younger crowd!!

This place was recommended to us. The bar staff were very friendly guys, seemed a nice vibe. Until we sat down and the door staff slammed him drink in between ours. I ask him what he's doing and his reply "that's my table I was here first" I was completely shocked. Luckily for him I did not know how to react as it was so unexpected, and I was with my girl. So yeah, very lucky dude. He demanded my partner put his drink back on the table, that's when I challenged his piss poor attitude... unreal, won't be coming back!!!

Last night, I had the pleasure of being served by an incredibly helpful Greek bartender. His attentiveness and expertise truly elevated my experience. From offering great drink recommendations to ensuring everyone's needs were met promptly, he's exemplified outstanding customer service. I highly recommend this bartender to anyone looking for a fantastic experience. Thank you Georgia to make our best staff party night !

Small disagreement was immediately dispelled by very gracious door staff and a very accommodating owner . Couldn’t have asked for a better solution. Great atmosphere, great bar. Would highly recommend when visiting York.

We love this place! Really fun and friendly staff🤩

Good vibes 😎 lovely staff, been a few times whenever I visit York always a nice little spot to visit thanks guys love ya lots

Amazing cocktail bar. Everyone had been fantastic !!

Owner is a knob. Asked for another glass for the strawberry daiquiri pitcher we bought and he got his panties in a twist. Then I asked if he can put something in the pitcher to dilute it down because it was far too strong and he started getting aggressive and then when I said something back he refused to serve me anymore, so I obviously left.

Was one a night staff drinking behind bar making cocktails and drinking out off tins what was left then been very rude to customers one girl dancing around men no do her job we ask her to wipe table she was very rude back to us the toilet disgusting men going in ladies and ladies going in men’s one lady said about men going ladies toilets and she just dismissed it by saying no harm what you want me to do then we going out it was same girl and dressed as if she was on a night out with off the shoulder black top on staff should be respectful and dress like there are staff not drinking and dancing

In york such a scam pub or club I don’t get it .they overcharge the price of drinks.Everyone check the menu before order and know little bit about price as wel. Last week we went their first time with my couple of friends and I order the 4 drinks which price is £8 per 1 and 4 glass is £32 everyone knows but they charge me £38 and I didn’t say anything just thinking because that £6 pound won’t affect me and again I order same drinks again they charge me £40 what a scam.their is two staff ladies and gents they speak different languages like European not the English just again scam me £8.Already £8 per double shots rum is expensive and again they scam me £2 per 1 shot is very dangerous scam I live here in york locally and we go regularly in other club but not happen like this.Be aware visiting here to become victims

Ruta helped me and is a lovely staff member

beautiful drinks, amazing staff, unforgettable vibe. highly recommend. Mariano and the door staff very welcoming. I really enjoyed this Weekend at this safe bar.

Nice coctails good value and very tasty

Nicely referred cocktail bar. . Quiet expensive ... £6.50 for a mocktail so not even alcoholic.. 90 percent of it was ice . Literally ice, So I doubt I will go back in . Heaters outside for the cooler times . Quiet comfy seating outside . Not much room between tables but there designed to cram people in I suppose.

Told were to sit poorly treated. Good luck going forward. I will not be coming back after visiting si ce it opened.

Lively bar with latin music. We had a drink here while visiting York.

Nice bar, the outdoor seating had heat lamps which were appreciated. Cocktails sweet and good value.

Came last night for drinks with my family to celebrate my dads birthday, said to bouncers how many of us there was (only 5) and one of them said to the other to let us in cause there’s space, then they started looking at my uncle and talking to each other about him and told him to stand infront of the wall for some reason, he didn’t understand what they said as his English isn’t very good so I said that he’s Polish so if they have something to say to him I’ll translate. As soon as I mentioned that he’s Polish they turned around and said we’re not being let in, racist and disgusting hire some educated and not arrogant people

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

Went here last night for a drink ended up having my id taken off me and a man and woman fighting me and only I was told to leave disgusting how they let a man put there hands on me and only I was restrained !!!

Great bar, awesome atmosphere, lovely cocktails.

Looked online and deals looked good but on arrival no deals and all information is old out of date and obsolete be prepared to pay a lot more, the cocktails we had were okay though.

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.

we were asked to remove ourselves from the bar as they would not serve Brazilians at the bar shameful, unacceptable attitude.

we were at the bar dancing and having fun when we were told that they would no longer serve drinks for Brazilians, we asked that we had just arrived, and they said that even so we would not be served anymore, we had started drinking about 30 minutes ago. it was very embarrassing and we had to leave to continue celebrating Brazil's victory in another bar, regrettable that an environment like Bora Bora had this kind of attitude. it was the last time i frequented this bar. This kind of attitude is unacceptable in the 21st century

For an experience that is pretentious, patronising, pricey and deeply boring go to Bora Bora in York! Save your pennies and go to somewhere with an atmosphere and better service.

Cocktails decent. Don't have anything with coke, it's rolla cola and ruins the spirits. Staff made aware but didn't seem to care. Stick to cocktails and its a great place

Latin pub at York, small but lovely to get some Latin and international frienda

Lovely place with amazing staff

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!

Felt the need to leave my first ever trip advisor review which echos the below. We had one drink here but were quickly shipped out as our face didn’t fit. Apparently too loud, whilst sat having a quiet drink. The manager told the bar staff not to serve us and tried to blame it on the security. Treat with utter disrespect. The manager would much rather use the security guy as his personal photographer, who was taking photos of him posing at the front of the bar. Won’t return and wouldn’t recommend to others. Such as shame as this was a great place for years.

Glad to see we to see we’re not the only ones who were treated like dirt by the staff! The owner spent most of the evening asking the bouncer to take photos of him! He’s rude aggressive worst experience I’ve never been made to feel so discriminated against!

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.

Fantastic atmosphere in a quite little cocktail bar. Partying goes on well into the night here. Always my favourite place to come to on a night out. Will be back

I've been going there for more 10 years and never have beens treated by security like that . Shame on you security

I've been going there for years with my friends from York and this time security treated us like leppper

Came here after the covid in 2021 nice friendly place helpful staff……..boy has this place gone downhill! Staff are useless, sat around, smoking, swearing, absolute no customer service! Keep well away!!

This place is really bad, my fiancée got sexually abused on the dance floor and I got through out for trying to stop it. Then all the bouncers came and hit me and sat on me till I couldn’t breathe till a nice man called...

Location is ok at best, but drinks are subpar, and prices are higher than most other places

Helped our birthdays celebrations with Baby Guinesses!!! Too kind guys, we loved it!!!

Went to go for a drink, baring in mind it was around 20 degrees and the bar was empty and got turned away for wearing shorts. No wonder it was empty if they were turning people away on a hot day for wearing shorts

Why can’t you were shorts there in summer???

Great palace to finish the night veya good atmosphere!❤

Being a former doorman here..... I can understand why people would be frustrated..... Basically.... The owners a nob..... 1 rule 1 minute, a different the next. Not the doorman fault when the owners constantly badgering doorstaff on who to let in. Hope this helps folks!

Good little bar for abit of a change , love the cocktails and atmosphere, only thing that let's it down is the size, its so small and the fact it only has 2 toilets, but nice enough to sit outside and chat with the heaters on.

Came for cocktails and the staff were really friendly and the drinks were delicious, had a great time. Elise and Tasha really made our night even better!

Always great service and cocktail!!! Highly recommended to come here for amazing service and drinks and vibe!!!! Especially Tasha our server I give her 5 stars!!!!!! 🌟❤️

Great little bar, fun atmosphere, nice outdoor seating area.. Adrian & Elise make the best cocktails in York.

I had a lovely experience with the staff and bar at Bora Bora I would highly recommend visiting, music where great and so where drinks

Brilliant service with friendly staff. Very welcoming. Comfortable atmosphere. Great music with brilliant outdoor seating with heat lamps for added comfort. Would definitely recommend revisit

Me and my friends came to Bora Bora for cocktails, we had the best time!!! Staff where amazing and where very attentive. I would highly recommend coming here if your in york! Good vibes and good music.

Fantastic place! Mariano the manager is brilliant at his job and very friendly. Great cocktails too. He and his team deserve to be very proud of their smashing place

Amazing atmosphere great staff beautiful place! Cocktails to die for! Try red devil that’s the best drink!!

Beautiful cocktail bar, very welcoming, funny and friendly staff. Advised us on a selection of drinks and shots. Great music, drinks and atmosphere!

Beautiful music and atmosphere, the staff were lovely, especially the young gent who served us, Adrian I believe was his name. Really quite pleasant, a nice pallet cleanser between historic York pubs that refreshed us on a jolly old night. The place was lit and dressed wonderfully. 😊

Visited here last night my husband ordered a long island iced tea which tasted like washing up liquid and I had a blue lagoon which wasn't much better. Barman started spraying air freshener which was going in peoples drinks

Very friendly staff member Adrian made personalised cocktails for us and got us shots too, amazing service, such friendly guys definitely come again!

Love the staff here! Such a nice chill environment, perfect for when I finish work! Best place in york

So, so welcoming we were looking at the menu not sure what to get, the bar tender asked what drinks we liked and created a cocktail for all four of us perfectly, so friendly highly recommend 💜

First time visitor & possibly last visit Pro's: * Location * Friendly staff Negatives: * Limited outdoor seating * Venue was smaller than we expected * You need to cross the dancefloor to get to the bar (i ended up being knocked by people dancing so I ended up spilling my drink before I could even drink it) * Too packed inside Would I return, no mainly due to the fact York has so many bars I'm positive we will find something better

Do not spend your money here if you're after a cocktail, they're awful, pre mixed and tasteless...walk 2 minutes to the Botanists, for a proper cocktail.

York Resident Out for a Saturday afternoon drink town on 21 st May went to Bora Bora for a drink to be told by door man no tables just turned his back on us , no explanation even when we stated Bora Bora best cocktails turned his back on us and was very ignorant . We were not drunk and very found this very offensive left 3 very offended middle-aged women

Poor quality cocktails. Overpriced. They couldn't mix a pick and mix in a sweetshop if they tried. Shocking, very flat and pre mixed

If your with a party don't go here no music only inside and staff miserable

Loved the atmosphere, loved the music! great little spot altogether. wasn't a fan of the bathroom situation, and the drinks were a tad overpriced for what they were, but I'll still be back for the vibes

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...

Gemütliches Lokal. Personal allerdings sehr unsympathisch und nicht bemüht einen ohne Aufforderung zu bedienen.. man fühlt sich sehr unwohl und ungewollt !

Great staff, great atmosphere and great food. A little expensive but I don't mind if the experience is good. Recommended.

A great place to go. Staff were excellent, friendly and efficient.

Such a isotope, relaxed atmosphere. Great staff who are engaging and fun. Top music and all round fantastic experience.

We sat inside to eat. The food was fantastic. But when we sat down it was cold. There was two doors open and a window. A lady on the next table kept her coat on and had a blanket over her knees. That said it all. We asked if they could close a door which they did. They then closed the window. Also the music was too loud. Music is a very personal thing and maybe it wouldn't have been loud if it was something I liked. It just needed to be a bit lower. The staff were impeccable. So if I weigh it up the most important things food and staff were excellent. I will come again.

Excellent cocktails, helpful nice staff..heaters outside if bit chilly..

Staff very aggressive. I bought a very expensive bottle of wine not knowing that it was only minutes before closing time. At closing time they took the bottle from me and when I complained, the security staff assaulted me and took me out of the place. They never warned me that the place was about to close nor did they warn me about their policies. I describe them as real thieves.

Read it was one of the best places for cocktails in York. Don't get me wrong wasn't bad but I've had better. Only a small venue but a decent variety of drink on offer, just tasted very watered down

Great little bar nice cocktails friendly staff

Called in on a saturday night . My wife went to the bar and was served by an ignorant young barman, he never looked at her once he was too busy chatting to two girls he was trying to impress, and using the F word...

Great place to dance to Latin music. Small but cute dance floor. Staff were a bit rude though and I've been a couple of times now. They enforce quite random rules like "no drinking on the dance floor" to some people and not others. Drinks are very overpriced, best idea is to drink elsewhere beforehand and burn off those calories by dancing at Bora Bora.

Overpriced and staff not particularly friendly. Place quite pleasant and busy

Lovely people, very polite staff, I love ❤

Greta atmosphere in this lovely little cocktail bar! Could hear the buzz from outside and the cocktails didn't disappoint. Thumbs up!

Love it in here we always visit here when we come to york! The drinks are great and so is the staff! We always have so much fun here too.

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...

Cocktails were absolutely delicious and the outside area had a good atmosphere with music. However, the staff were a little off putting and verging on rude.

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...

we loved this place, the guy behind the bar was extremely efficient and made some very nice cocktails Great place very friendly

We started out evening here and it was lovely the young chap behind the bad was very efficient the drinks tasted awesome can recommend the pina colada. Place was clean and very friendly guy on the door was welcoming.

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...

Bora Bora is one of my go-tos! Wonderful cocktails and large pitchers. Red Devils are to die for! Friendly staff and great for small groups going out for drinks. In and outdoor seating, but more outside (including heaters), would definately reccomend.

You ruined my night, completely, so you could have the money, but I hope now you spend it on getting some lessons in grace and decorum because you have all the grace of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on... Been in this place...

Shame there was no happy hour, as the website is somewhat misleading.. a cool bar nevertheless

The main guy was very rude when I asked about draught beer, he was very short with me and slammed my drinks down. Also, they still use plastic straws which is wrong given the wide availability of paper straws. To be fair, the drinks were...