Lifestyle
Being the pros that we are, we put the hard work in and dragged ourselves round as many of them as we could and, because we’re so dedicated to going that extra mile for you all, we even visited a few that were not on the list to give you all plenty of options for the best bars to visit on your next night on the tiles…
Manchester
Top 50
No. 1 Schofield's Bar
No. 6 Blinker
No. 12 Speak in Code
No. 21 Project Halcyon
Stray Manchester
Let’s be honest, any bar that comes out of the blocks with a tomato margarita as its showstopper is somewhere you need to be paying very close attention to. And Stray, a relatively new addition to Manchester’s thriving cocktail scene, located in the wonderful, Grade II listed Mackie Mayor, is all about attention to detail. From the meticulous precision of their mixology, to the effortlessly sophisticated glassware, to the low level lighting that makes a window side seat peering out onto drenched Mancunian evenings one of the finest spots to spend a few post-work hours in the city, Stray has rapidly ascended to stratospheric heights since opening in Autumn 2023.
Follow @stray.bar
The Daisy Manchester
All subterranean and sexy, The Daisy has been casually delivering one of the finest cocktail drinking experiences in Manchester for years now. This Northern Quarter den, tucked under fellow NQ mainstay Evelyn’s, is a perfect blend of candlelit and marble laden elegance, forever nudging itself towards just the right amount of Negroni and Martini fuelled debauchery.
Follow @thedaisynq
Three Little Words Manchester
Ordinarily, we wouldn’t recommend drinking hard alcohol under a bridge, but when it’s being drunk in Three Little Words, we could not recommend the practice strongly enough. Sequestered underneath the Grade-II listed railway arches just off Deansgate, TLW is located inside the beautiful Spirit of Manchester gin distillery. And the mixology that goes into every meticulously crafted beverage here is equally as jaw dropping as the surroundings. The brickwork and the industrial design touches lend a historic nod to Manchester’s heritage and are offset by the sophistication of the elegant marble bar and the even more elegant concoctions on offer behind it. Much like Manchester itself, TLW is a place of innovation and immense creativity. And they even have some outstanding small plates to complement their mesmerising drinks list. Oh, and an excellent roast on offer on Sundays. There may not be enough space in this magazine for us to completely and accurately express our love for this spot, so just take our word for it and check it out. A lot.
Follow @threelittlewordsmcr
Liverpool
Berry & Rye Liverpool
While it may be a tiny drinking den, Berry and Rye is huge on atmosphere and quality of goods. The cocktails are some of the finest in the city and are complemented by a stirring selection of similarly stunning live music. Jazz, blues and gin are the order of the day (or night, rather) at this Berry Street joint. Just make sure you knock on the right door for entry (between Bunch and HK Hair Salon, fyi).
Follow @berryandrye
Petit Café Du Coin Liverpool
Parisian vibes are heading to Lark Lane this Spring as the Petit Café team add a third establishment to the family. But don’t go forgetting the Berry Street original. Jazz under candlelight with your cocktails sound like a solid combination? How could it not? How about some top quality wine and cheese while you’re at it? Very, very tres bien.
Follow @petitcafelpl
Birmingham
Top 50
No. 3 Passing Fancies
No. 4 Couch
No. 39 Fox & Chance
40 St Pauls Birmingham
Winner of the World’s Best Gin Bar 2019, 40s (as the locals know it) has only 24 seats, but 140 immaculate gins. Intimate, relaxed, exclusive, it wins awards, seemingly, on an annual basis and with very good reason. The creation of Amanjot Johl, not only one of the best mixologists in Birmingham but one of the nicest people, the menu has of late shifted away from gin and in favour of cocktails in general — and it is a better bar for it. As close to a Speakeasy as Birmingham has, it’s a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ kind of a place with absolutely no signage whatsoever. Trust us when we say the team at 40s are the most knowledgeable you’ll find in any city, let alone Birmingham, so do be brave enough to tell them your likes and dislikes. It’ll pay back tenfold when the drinks arrive. Booking VERY advised.
Follow @40stpauls
Madeleine Birmingham
A slice of Paris in the heart of Birmingham, Madeleine is The Grand Hotel’s luxurious Champagne and cocktail bar, with double-height windows, idyllic chandeliers, and “could stay here all day” appeal. You’re unlikely to find a better Martini in the Midlands while their non-alcoholic cocktails are the perfect example of booze-free libations that are by no means an after-thought. If you’re looking for Afternoon Tea, by the way, accept no substitutes.
Follow @madeleinebarbirmingham
Lucky 7 Birmingham
Another one here that takes in cues from Japan, but on the other side of town to Ikigai, is Lucky 7. Sitting above Spanish food bar Txikiteo (also amazing) it’s the work of partners Rob Wood and Kyndra Vorster. Rob is a journeyman of the Brum hospitality scene but don’t let that belie his creativity and passion. You will not find a barman more methodical about his art — and in Rob and Kyndra’s hands, drinks really are art. The two work in perfect harmony. Rob has an encyclopaedic knowledge of alcohol and its history as well as a detailed understanding about the minutiae of mixology. Kyndra, meanwhile, rocks up with just the headline facts that’ll you remember, even the next morning, before passing them off to your pals as your own.
Follow @lucky7bhx
Ikigai Birmingham
At the northern end of Stirchley and neighbouring the equally brilliant Thai restaurant SOI 1268, Ikigai is a Japanese-inspired drinking den of serious pedigree. The 2022 Newcomer of the Year winner is owned and run by hospitality veteran Luke Bensley who’s on a mission to honour Japanese flavours, traditions and hospitality. The bar takes influence from Izakaya culture (post work informal drinks with snacks) and at the time of writing was mixing from an anime-inspired menu, the drinks as beautiful as the art that bedecks it.
Follow @ikigai.brum
Leeds
Top 50
No. 16 Tabula Rasa
No. 27 Below Stairs
The Empire Café Leeds
Not only has The Empire Café made a name for itself in the world of gastronomy, but it has also become a unique destination for drinkers raising a glass on a Friday and Saturday night.
All their seasonal cordials and tinctures are made in house by a team of skilled mixologists, with no and low alcohol alternatives offered too. Think baked apple syrups for Sazeracs, Irish Coffees infused with draught Guinness reduced in a pan of smoking coals, or desiccated coconut - fresh from the Nut Shop at Kirkgate Market, toasted over flames. In the Summer, customers enjoy tall tumblers of tepache, the Empire’s refreshingly sweet fermented pineapple cocktail, or savoury coupes of tomato and basil gimlet. Don’t like what you see? The bartenders will whip you up something to suit your personal taste. Alex Holmes, the Empire’s Bar Manager was a finalist in the Global Mextaxa as well as The Cointreau International Competition. Their GM Sam Greedy, is a cocktail-based content creator with his own cult brand - Leng Libation, who run a series of popular pop-ups and events around the city.
Follow @empirecafeleeds
Farrands Bar Leeds
Date night causing you dilemmas? Well, swing over to Swinegate for an intimate interlude from the monotony of monogamy. Or wherever your romance might take you! Farrands is an independent bar located in the heart of Leeds city Centre, established to engage all the senses. Peruse a comprehensive menu of expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and champagnes. With a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Farrands is proud to stand as a local sanctuary for inclusive nights out. At the forefront of their proposition is a friendly service style and on-trend drink selection that consistently attracts new footfall, whilst keeping the loyal regulars excited. A diverse wine list has gained popularity on the lengthy list of Wine Bars in Leeds, and their signature cocktail list has twelve unique creations, including stellar Low ABV & Non-alcoholic options too.
Follow @farrandsbar
Edinburgh
Top 50
No. 5 Hey Palu
No. 9 Panda & Sons
No. 32 Bramble Bar
No. 41 Nauticus
No.46 The Wildcat
Lucky Liquor Co. Edinburgh
While unlucky for some, the number 13 will soon become your best friend once you step through the doors at Lucky Liquor co. This sister site to the extraordinary Bramble Bar houses 13 base spirits behind its bar, crafting 13 cocktails out of them, which then change every 13 weeks. They also go the extra mile and produce their own cordials and syrups to bring extra depth and character to their seasonal creations. The stripped back affair on Queen Street is wickedly experimental, changing with the seasons to deliver a regular procession of inventive and innovative libations. A firm favourite since 2013, this bar’s success is about far more than luck.
Follow @luckyliquorco
Uno Mas Edinburgh
Heading downstairs to Uno Mas can easily lead to you not venturing back up the stairs until many hours later. Probably around 3am, in fact, which is when this liquor soaked den closes every morning. And aren’t those the best places? The late, late haunts that can cater to every insatiable desire to dance into the early hours with a paloma in each hand on a damp Tuesday night in February or a wild Saturday in July. Live jam sessions on Wednesdays here are always well worth a visit, but to enjoy Uno Mas at its peak is to decamp down here during Fringe season, when all the best musicians and artists pack the place out to provide you with one of the best atmospheres in the city.
Follow @unomasbar
Glasgow
Top 50
No. 31 Charlie Brown’s
No. 35 The Absent Ear
No. 43 The Gate
The Scotia Bar Glasgow
If somewhere’s been open since 1792, chances are it must be doing more than a few things right. The Scotia Bar, Glasgow’s oldest pub, continues to go from strength to strength, over 230 years since it first threw open its doors. Some of the city’s finest characters are found here both infront of and behind the bar.
Follow @scotiabarglasgow
Tabac Glasgow
This Mitchell Lane cocktail bar is both effortlessly cool and intimate, providing the perfect setting to enjoy one of the best Negronis not just in Glasgow, but anywhere in the UK. A frequently slick DJ line up is always easily enjoyed under Tabac’s ambient lighting alongside an expertly mixed drink or three.
Follow @tabac_glasgow
Shilling Brewing Company Glasgow
Over on West George St, Shilling have been pulling and pouring a huge selection of the finest ales, lagers and everything in between for years now. Over 30 beers on draught is a big enough selling point, but just wait until you sink your teeth into one of their sublime brick oven pizzas (the haggis and the spicy pineapple are two of our particular favs) and get a smack of, wait for it, IRN BRU CHILLI JAM on your lips. Need we say more?
Follow @shillingbrewco
Brighton
Gungho Brighton
Fancy cocktails that truly make a difference? Gung Ho is Brighton’s sustainable cocktail bar. Their ever-changing seasonal menu is fully vegan and bursting with local ingredients and foraged finds, including a few that you’ve probably never seen in a cocktail... martini with wild garlic and leeks, anyone? They’ve even got an alternative to lemon and lime juice, made from local Bramley Apples. It’s all part of their whole-hearted commitment to sustainability. Nothing goes to waste whether it’s used coffee grounds, fruit scraps, everything gets a second life. The venue is run on 100% renewable energy and the bar itself is made from reclaimed materials. Gung Ho really is showing us how it’s done.
Follow @gunghobar
Bar Valentino Brighton
Tucked above Spanish restaurant, Tinto Taperia, Bar Valentino is a hidden gem of a cocktail bar. Describing itself as Brighton’s best-kept secret, you’d be forgiven for not knowing about this place. Inside, there’s red leather sofas, dim lighting and a balcony overlooking the street for a little spot of people watching. The bar serves a selection of 12 changing signature cocktails, alongside seasonal specials. And the expert bar staff are happy to mix up your favourite classic, or give recommendations. Perfect for a drink before a show at the nearby Theatre Royal or Brighton Dome, or wherever else you’re headed, for that matter.
Follow @barvalentinouk
Plotting Parlour Brighton
If you’re looking for a seriously quality cocktail with a little twist of drama, head to Plotting Parlour. With two locations, one in Kemptown and one in Hove, this table-service spot is all about quality, from their expertly mixed classics to their inventive house specials.
Every drink here is an experience, whether it’s a smokey old fashioned or a multi drink celebration of a particular spirit. Even those opting for a booze-free night will find something special.
From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by knowledgeable and attentive staff who are always more than happy to chat through the menu and give recommendations. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with plush seating and ornate decor. Open daily from 4pm (3pm on Fridays and Saturdays), it’s definitely worth snagging a reservation to secure your spot.
Follow @theplottingparlour
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