Hottest bar openings in May 2015
London dominates our pick of the hottest bar openings last month, welcoming a venue that pays homage to a mustachioed Chinese villain, a Japanese whisky den and a very adult ice cream “bar”.
These are the hottest new bars to open around the world in May 2015
British burger and cocktail establishment Meatliquor also made its first foray overseas with the opening of a Singapore outpost, while Sydney opens a bar dedicated to the Sazerac.
Meanwhile, the speakeasy trend continues full pace in New York, where a new venue named after an infamous gangster recently opened its doors, tempting cocktail lovers with its range of barrel-aged serves.
Click through the following pages to discover some of the hottest bars to open around the world in May 2015.
Fu Manchu, London
Hidden under old railway arches in Clapham North, Fu Manchu certainly has a one-of-a-kind USP, inspired by a fictional Chinese villain of the same name. Created by Sax Rohmer in an early 20th century novel series, mustachioed mastermind Fu Manchu menacingly grins at drinkers from bespoke glassware, which contain an array of Asian-inspired mixes. Described as a “Victorian opium den with a modern, graphic edge”, the bar also serves delectable dim sum. The bar was opened by the team from London’s Jam Tree.
Meatliquor, Singapore
Famed British burger and cocktail joint Meatliquor has made its first international debut last month, taking its Americana class of cool to Singapore. The outpost will takeover a huge 4,500 sq ft property formerly occupied by restaurant-bar Life Is Beautiful, which has now ceased trading. Like its Western brothers, Meatliquor Singapore has a fantastic focus on drinks, serving a range of slushies, shorts and classics.
The Trading House, London
The Trading House completely transforms the image of the humble London pub with its striking Victorian design that evokes the “spirit of the East India Trading Company”. It also boasts a 96-cover restaurant area and creative cocktail list, such as the Lavender Sazerac and Cumin Bloody Mary, as well as its own dedicated gin menu alongside a five-strong tonic menu, as well as a miniature cocktail list recommending serves to complement its beers. Pairing Number One sees white rum, clove syrup, passion fruit, mint and lime, matched to a Paulaner Hefe Weisse.
Kansas Smitty’s, London
Named after its resident eight-piece jazz band, Kansas Smitty’s is a basement is described as an “unpretentious, fun and approachable space bringing original swing music, real people and great cocktails to East London”. Based in Hackney, the bar has a clear cocktail star: the Julep. Smitty’s Juleps infuse raw spirit with botanicals and flavours to create eight wholly unique takes on the original cocktail. Inspired by the sounds of New York, New Orleans, Paris, and Havana, Kansas Smitty’s hopes its namesake bar will let people experience jazz in a “relaxed environment.
The Swinging Cat, Sydney
Bringing a slice of New Orleans life to Sydney is The Swinging Cat. With an entire section of its menu dedicated to Sazeracs, the basement bar offers a traditional Hennessy-based serve, as well as a Peppermint, Smoked Honey, and Toffee Nut Sazerac. Adding a subtle touch sophistication to what otherwise appears to be a classic jazz bar, The Swinging Cat has already been praised by barflied for its laid back ambience and classy design – despite its unusual location underneath a Subway sandwich store.
Bull in a China Shop, London
So this cutting edge Shoreditch venue opened at the end of April, but we thought it definitely deserved a spot in this list. Occupying a Dickensian-fronted pub opposite the iconic Tea Buildings is a new all-day whisky bar and restaurant with a subtle hint of the Orient. With a selection of more than 30 Scotch and Japanese whiskies, the team also offers a bespoke food and whisky cocktail pairing menu. House serves include the Nikka whisky and Asian pear-based based Bos Taurua and the Camomile and Charcoal Old Fashioned.
Tanner Smith’s, New York
Named after an American criminal and gang leader who dominated New York’s streets in the early 20th Century, Tanner Smith’s shows the speakeasy theme has no sign of slowing down yet. In addition to a range of signature serves, the bar pays homage to Smith’s time working as a stevedore on the Hudson docks with a range of barrel-aged cocktails, including the Mayor Gaynor’s Tippler, The Marginal and The Winona.
Grown-Ups, London
Flavour experts at World of Zing have teamed up with Black Vanilla Gelateria to launch London’s first cocktail and gelato pairing bar, called Grown-Ups. Offering a variety World of Zing’s bottled cocktails alongside flavoured Sorbetto, the bar sits above Black Vanilla in Greenwich. The menu features drinks such as the Bordeaux Barrel Aged Negroni, a mix of Tanqueray Gin, Campari, Martini Rosso and Zing Serenity Bitters, paired with Sicilian Lemon Sorbetto; and the Steel Aged Manhattan, a combination of Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Martini Rosso, Zing Anaesthetic Brandy and Zing Euphoric Bitters served with Black Cherry Sorbetto. Also launched in London last month was Ice & Slice, a new ice cream “bar” serving Prosecco, Negroni and Aperol Spritz-flavoured gelato.
