The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of the ethanolic, acetone, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Vitex altissima L. (Verbenaceae) against different bacterial pathogens. Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening was performed by the method described by Brindha et al. The agar disc diffusion assay and the agar dilution method were used for the determination of inhibition diameters and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) respectively. Results: The phytochemical analysis of crude extracts of V. altissima confirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites like steroids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenolics and sugars. In the disc diffusion assay, the chloroform extract was most active and exhibits high degree of inhibition followed by ethanol, petroleum ether and acetone. The chloroform extracts of V. altissima depicted the maximum zone of inhibition 1.9 ± 0.63, 1.9 ± 0.34, 1.8 ± 0.45, 2.3 ± 0.34, 2.2 ± 0.52 and 1.9 ± 0.34 cm against P. vulgaris, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, E. cereus and S. aureus respectively. The ethanolic extracts of V. altissima demonstrated the maximum zone of inhibition 1.9 ± 0.42 cm against E. coli and 1.7 ± 0.53 cm for S. marcescens. The petroleum ether extracts of V. altissima illustrated the highest zone of inhibition 2.3 ± 0.42 cm against K. pneumoniae and 2.30.12 cm for S. typhi. Minimal inhibitory concentration MIC values ranged from 8.7 – 19.5 μg/ml, and the most promising results were observed against selected bacterial pathogens. Conclusion: Antibacterial efficacy shown by V. altissima provides a scientific basis and validates their traditional use. The next step is to isolate the pure compounds and to screen the bioactivity of individual compounds which will lead to the development of new pharmaceuticals for therapeutic needs.