Top six UK bars to visit in 2015
London is living up to its reputation at the world’s cocktail capital, but there’s more to the UK’s bar scene than what’s in the capital.
A collection of recently opened, soon-to-open and quality stalwarts make up our selection of the UK Bars to Watch in 2015London is always described as the cocktail capital of the world – unless you’re talking to a New Yorker – but the UK has so much more to offer than what lies in the capital.
The fun, funky joints that have populated London the past couple of years, such as London Cocktail Club, secret speakeasy Call Me Mr Lucky and arcade heaven PimpShuei have caught on up north, with bars in Manchester and other major cities focused on giving guests a good time with quality cocktails to boot.
Further north in Scotland is a maturing cocktail scene where some bartenders are taking inspiration from the culinary world to develop modern drinks with foraged ingredients; it’s amazing what you can find in Edinburgh city centre.
Back darn sarf the upscale hotel bar trend is continuing with speed, with one of London’s most prominent bartenders opening a second venue at the new Mondrian Hotel. One thing is clear across most establishments though – a singular focus on one particular spirit still prevails.
In our November 2014 issue we enlisted the assistance of experts across the globe to help us pick the best bars in five regions that will rise to prominence over the next 12 months. They may not be open yet, or may be stalwarts on the local bar scene, but each one is most definitely pushing the boundaries of imbibing culture.
Click through the following pages to discover our pick of the UK Bars to Watch in 2015, as well as our Bar of the Year.
PortSide Parlour, Shoreditch, London
From humble beginnings as a pop-up rum bar, PortSide Parlour can now be found permanently nestled in the hipster heart of London’s Shoreditch. Designed to emulate a “nautical antiquities shop” with its solid oak and copper bar, here you’ll find more than 80 varieties of rum on offer to whet your whistle. The cocktail menu will change from season-to-season, but for now guests can expect signature serves such as the Smoked Apple Wood Old Fashioned and Squid Ink Martini. And for when you’re feeling a little peckish, there’s the seafood tapas menu, including octopus terrine and manchego-stuffed courgette flowers.
PortSide Parlour
14 Rivington Street,
London, EC2A 3DU
0203 6626 381
www.portsideparlour.co.uk
Crazy Pedro’s Part-Time Pizza Parlour, Manchester
You may not have expected Manchester’s first mezcaleria to take shape in the form of a pizza parlour, but that is exactly what Crazy Pedro’s Part-Time Pizza Parlour is all about. Launched in October this year by the head of The Liars Club, Lyndon Higginson and business partners Ross Mackenzie and Jobe Ferguson of Cane and Grain fame, Crazy Pedro’s serves New York-style pizzas whole or by the slice until 4am, meaning it’s accessible at any time of day. But the drinks here are just as important as the food, and guests can also enjoy Tequila and mezcal, hard shakes and frozen cocktails.
Crazy Pedro’s Part-Time Pizza Parlour
55-57 Bridge Road,
Manchester
01618345111
www.crazypedros.com
Dandelyan, London
If you hail from the Big Smoke and you haven’t yet heard of Mr Lyan’s latest venture, Dandelyan, then where have you been? Located in Bankside’s Mondrian hotel, seasonal experimentation is the name of the game with botany-inspired cocktails that range from the boozy heights of the Concrete Sazerac to the surprisingly light and creamy Koji Hardshake. The interior is clad in chrome tables and dusty pink leather sofas with views overlooking the River Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral, offering sophistication in a relaxed atmosphere. Dandelyan has already received a rapturous applause from industry insiders and is a sure success for 2015.
Timberyard, Edinburgh
Timberyard was ahead of its time when it opened in 2012 serving the style of food and drinks better acquainted with the menus at Denmark’s Noma than a family-run joint in Edinburgh. Foraging is a big thing at this minimalist restaurant and bar, and staff venture out most mornings to pick Douglas fir or sea buckthorn. Shrubs are a key feature of bar manager Jo Radford’s cocktail list – a particularly good Rum Shrub contains bramble, spruce vinegar, rum and grappa, while the Filthy Pig is a savoury medley of crackling, pickle and gin. It’s coming into its third year, but Timberyard is still leading the pack as far as Edinburgh – and the UK – are concerned.
Timberyard
10 Lady Lawson St
Edinburgh, EH3 9DS
0131 221 1222
www.timberyard.co
Bar Termini, London
The newest site from the Godfather of modern cocktails and founder of 69 Colebrooke Row, Tony Conigliaro, is gearing up to open on Old Compton Street any day now. Specialising in coffee and aperitivos – two of the hottest drinks trends to hit London right now, Bar Termini is set to be a more relaxed, informal and humble experience than Tony C’s world class molecular mixology hub in Islington. He’s keeping tight-lipped about the concept just now, but Bar Termini is expected to be styled after a traditional Italian café.
Bar Termini
7 Old Compton Street
London, W1D 5J
www.bar-termini.com
UK Bar to Watch 2015: High Water, London
Durham Atkinson, Bobby Hiddleston, Maria Johansson and Barbaros Inan first met behind the bar at Milk & Honey London several years ago. After forging a strong friendship the team split, with Hiddleston and Johansson travelling to New York to open the Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog while Inan manned the bar at
Hawksmoor Spitalfields and Atkinson opened London craft beer pub The Hops & Glory.
In April this year the four bartenders united once again to open neighbourhood bar High Water in London’s trendy Dalston, serving classic cocktails alongside modern, seasonal interpretations. Each name brings his or her own talent to the bar, with Johnsson specialising in wine, Inan and Atkinson craft beer devotees, and Scottish Hiddleston a natural whisky buff. The craft beer and wine list is kept fresh while a “chunky backbar” rich in Scotch whisky is constantly expanding. For all their knowledge and first-class experience, the High Water guys aren’t taking the game too seriously, and aim to offer something for everyone, from a fresh cold local lager to a rare brandy or bespoke Martini.
Relaxed, approachable and with a regularly evolving menu, High Water is setting the bar for cool neighbourhood joints in London.
High Water
23 Stoke Newington Road
London, N16 8BJ
020 7241 1984
www.facebook.com/HighWaterLondon
