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Hottest bar openings in May 2018

In May, the bar world flung open the windows, turned on the AC and finalised all its summer prep. From a rooftop terrace to a wild west-themed saloon, there was certainly no shortage of hot new watering holes to open last month.

Death & Co’s new site in Denver features in our pick of hot new bars

In the UK, this last month was the hottest May on record, so it’s no wonder a host of new terraces and rooftop bars dominated our list.

From the reopening of a bar on top of a multi-story car park and a Wild West-themed cocktail bar to secret terraces and London’s newest hotel bar, here are our round-up of the hottest new bars to open in May.

Click through our gallery to find out some of our favourite bars to open in the last month.

Missed out on our list of the top openings from April? Check out our gallery from last month here.

Rake’s Bar, London

Rake’s Bar snuck in at the last moment, opening its doors at the Andaz Hotel in London at the end of May.

The cocktail bar boasts incredible food and stunning cocktails in a vibrant setting, with three different rooms to choose from.

The cocktail menu is themed around William Hogarth’s series of paintings, The Rake’s Progress, with drinks including The Levee and The Madhouse. There’s also a changing “secret cocktail” on the menu, tell the bar staff The Spirits Business sent you to be in with a chance of trying it.

Deadshot, Auckland

Auckland’s newest cocktail bar, Deadshot, is the latest secretive bar to open in the city from the minds behind the Caretaker venue.

Designed as a “neighbourhood bar for grown-up drinking”, Deadshot boasts an impressive cocktail menu that aims to promote mixed drinks for all occasions.

Deadshot is a table service-only venue offering up stellar service and killer classic cocktails in a rustic setting.

Skylight at Tobacco Dock, London

London rooftop bar Skylight reopened for the summer season, taking over the top floor of a multi-story car park once again.

The rooftop venue offers drinkers in the capital the chance to soak up the sun alongside croquet lawns, boules courts and street food.

Skylight at Tobacco Dock is now open from Thursday to Sunday dishing out cocktails with one of the best views in the capital.

Death & Co, Denver

World-renowned New York bar Death & Co has opened its first expansion into a new market.

Death & Co Denver opened its doors at The Ramble Hotel, bringing the New York bar’s famed drinks programme and hospitality to downtown Denver.

Moonshine Saloon, London

London’s newest immersive cocktail bar, Moonshine Saloon, has opened in the capital from the minds behind pop-up prison bar Alcotraz.

The new bar is a wild west-themed saloon where drinkers must smuggle their own spirits past the sheriff and into the bar.

Bartenders then mix up drinks based on guests spirit choices and flavour preferences, while the bar’s “regulars” play cards and mingle with guests. 

Deadshot, Portland

Deadshot opened its doors in Portland in May and is a cocktail-focused bar from Adam Robinson, Will Preisch, and Joel Stocks.

Deadshot offers a wide variety of uniquely crafted cocktails, small batch beers on draft, and a tightly curated list of wines.

The kitchen focuses on updated interpretations of classic bar food and snacks, often with unexpected twists.

Churchill Bar and Terrace, London

The Churchill Bar & Terrace opened its nautical-themed summer terrace in May, located in the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.

Complete with nautical-inspired cocktails, each influenced by Winston Churchill’s love of the sea, the summer terrace will be open throughout the summer season.

Cocktails on the menu include Ocean Bottle, which is made from Oxley gin, gunpowder syrup and lemon Juice.

Charlotte’s Speakeasy, New York

Long Island’s newest secret drinking spot combines the glamour and grit of a historic speakeasy with killer prohibition era cocktails.

Access comes via a secret bookcase door in the shop above and once inside drinkers can enjoy live music and drinks on Charlotte’s outdoor terrace.

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