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Hottest bar openings in August 2018

As summer winds down, we take a look at the best bars to open in the last month – including reality television star Lisa Vanderpump’s new venue and Singapore’s latest arts club.

Tom Tom in Los Angeles features in our list of hot new bar openings

Its been a bumper month of new venues for imbibers to explore, with everything from LA’s latest whisky den to a Japanese-inspired cocktail bar opening for the world’s cocktail lovers to enjoy.

August saw London venue Alphabet open in a new location, Sydney’s newest speakeasy opened behind a bookcase and The Belrose in London made its debut as a “neighbourhood bar with a difference”.

Click through the gallery to discover some of our favourite bars to have opened in August.

Missed out on our list of the top openings from July? Catch up on the best new drinking dens here.

Telok Ayer Arts Club, Singapore

Telok Ayer Arts Club is the latest multi-concept venue from Singapore bar operator The Supermarket Company.

The venue aims to bring together art, music, food and drink within the space, which will also serve up Asian-influenced Mediterranean cuisine and a beverage programme packed full of Asian flavours.

Telok Ayer Arts Club will host creative residences and events helmed by multidisciplinary artists, as well as themed club nights and more “rule-bending” nights.

The Belrose, London

The Belrose has opened its doors in London’s Belsize Park as a “neighbourhood bar with a difference”.

The new venue offers a modern take on the British pub with a menu of Italian-inspired dishes and an on-site microbrewery, presented within a stylish space with an adjoining garden.

The drinks offering at The Belrose includes a selection of natural wines and international beers, including a number of bottles exclusive to The Belrose in the UK. An extensive selection of wines, cocktails, spirits and softs will also be offered.

Katana Kitten, New York

Katana Kitten is the latest Japanese cocktail bar to open its doors in New York’s Greenwich Village.

The Japanese-inspired drinking den will serve up a number of signature cocktails, Highballs and Boilermakers, including the Toki Highball, made from Toki Japanese whisky, lemon oil and koume; and the Meguroni, which mixes Old Duff Genever, aged umeshu and caffo bitters.

The bar will also serve up Japanese street food bites to accompany the drinks.

Alphabet, London

Iconic Soho drinking den Alphabet has reopened on Islington’s Upper Street.
The newly opened venue is serving up Mediterranean sharing plates, tabletop tagines and a selection of innovative cocktails.
Alphabet will be open till late serving up its signature cocktails, including the Panettone Negroni, made from panettone-infused Hernö Old Tom Gin, Campari, Picon, 30&40 Aperitif and panettone essence.

Tom Tom, Los Angeles

Reality star Lisa Vanderpump opened the doors to her steampunk-inspired bar and restaurant in Los Angeles last month.

Tom Tom in West Hollywood has been designed by Miami-based Nick Alain. The 2,000 square foot space includes a partially covered back patio.

Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, who the bar is named after, developed the venue’s beverage programme, which includes drinks like the Clockwork Pink and Toulouse Your Mind.

Capitano, Melbourne

Capitano has revived Melbourne’s former Beaufort Hotel, transforming the venue into an Australia-inspired eating and drinking den.

The Capitano bar will serve up its “unique take on classic Italian cocktails” alongside a selection of amaro. Sommelier and co-owner Banjo Harris Plane has also curated a wine list full of fun, juicy Italian varietals sourced locally and internationally.

The food menu has been inspired by the food chef Casey Wall enjoyed on his days off and offers his take on Italian cuisine, utilising Australian ingredients.

Existing Conditions, New York

Existing Conditions in New York’s Greenwich Village is the latest venue from Dave Arnold, of Booker and Dax; Don Lee, from Please Don’t Tell; and Greg Boehm, of Cocktail Kingdom.
The team’s latest venue aims to blend cutting-edge science, classic cocktails and hospitality without a lot of fuss.

The bar’s drinks offering includes a selection of alcohol-free cocktails, such as Serendipity, made from clarified tomato, clarified passionfruit and grapefruit, as well as experimental cocktails including the White Flag, which combines rum, cream syrup, Frangelico and cold brew coffee.

PG, Sydney

PG is the latest speakeasy to open in Sydney’s Newtown district and can be found hidden behind an unassuming bookcase on King’s Street.

Once behind the bookcase you’ll be able to find a bar decked out with leather sofas and pink neon lights, the perfect spot to enjoy PG’s cocktails and fried chicken.

For the drinks menu, PG focuses on organic and natural wine, as well as the bar’s own innovative twists on the classic cocktails.

The Double Barrel, Los Angeles

The Double Barrel has rolled open its doors on Wilshire Boulevard in LA as the city’s newest whisky bar.

The space, which accommodates members as well as walk-ins, is full of dark woods, leather seating and whisky, lots of whisky.

Alongside a host of whiskies available by the glass, the bar also boasts a whisky-centric cocktail menu, including drinks such as Breakfast in Tokyo, made from Japanese whisky, St George Liqueur, Carpano Antica, almond and Laphroaig.

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