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Hottest bar openings in August 2019

As the summer weather scorched the northern hemisphere, imbibers were treated to a host of exciting new venues in which to sip and savour refreshing serves.

Little Felix features in our roundup of new bars that opened in August

Last month saw fresh watering holes open their doors around the world. As Manchester welcomed its latest “eating, drinking and lifestyle venue”, drinkers in Sydney were treated to a new drinking den “inspired by early 20th-century Parisian hotels”.

From an all-day dining and drinking cafe in London to an underground nightclub in Sydney, patrons were spoiled for choice when it came to new openings to visit last month.

Take a look through our gallery to find out more about the hottest bars that opened in August.

Did you miss our roundup of July’s best bar openings? Take a look here.

Union, Beijing

Opening its doors in The Opposite House Hotel, Beijing, Union is designed to feel like an artist’s studio with a “20th-century modernist sensibility”.

Designed by New York-based design firm, Avroko, Union boasts copper architectural frames and metal mesh sheets that will showcase artwork, sculptures and objects.

The food and beverage offering at Union has been inspired by the ancient Silk Road and includes the Genghis Khan Martini, which combines French gin, Mongolia milk wine, dry vermouth, elderflower, coconut and sea salt, and non-alcoholic creations such as the Spring breeze, made with pear, vanilla, coconut, citric acid and sea salt.

Wilderness Bar + Kitchen, Manchester

Setting up shop in Manchester’s northern quarter, Wilderness Bar + Kitchen is said to be a “three-storey eating, drinking and lifestyle venue”.

The “welcoming, relaxed space” offers a beverage programme based around seasonally available ingredients and features cocktails such as Lost, made with Kyrö Napue Gin, Aperol, malt vermouth and ufra pepper, and the Scorched, which combines Johnnie Walker Black Label, smoked juniper, whey and burnt agave.

BrewDog, Cambridge

Scottish brewer BrewDog celebrated the opening of its 94th bar in August with the launch of its new Cambridge venue.

The Cambridge bar will boast craft beer from BrewDog and other cutting-edge breweries. It will also showcase products from the BrewDog Distilling Co, including the firm’s gin and vodka.

BrewDog Cambridge will also serve food, including burgers, salads and buffalo wings, and will also offer “brunch with a twist” at weekends.

Little Felix, Sydney

Opening alongside Felix Restaurant in Sydney, Little Felix is the latest venue from Australian hospitality company Merivale.

The “French-style cocktail bar with a moody interior” will offer a varied Champagne menu served up alongside classic cocktails, all “inspired by early 20th-century Parisian hotels”.

Cocktails on the menu include Paris Meridian Grand Crus, made with Monkey 47, lemon and Dom Perignon, and The Specials, which combines Havana Club 3yo, Dolin Bitter, raspberry and lime.

Bloomsbury Street Kitchen, London

Set in the heart of the West End, London’s latest restaurant and bar, Bloomsbury Street Kitchen, welcomed its first patrons last month.

Offering Mediterranean and Japanese-inspired dining, the “modern day-to-night neighbourhood restaurant and bar” serves up a range of small plates, aperitivo serves and signature cocktails.

At the new watering hole, imbibers can sample Cereza Negroni, which combines cherry-infused vodka, Barolo Chinato, Campari, Amaro di Angostura, Evangelista Ratafia and bee pollen, and the Hoba Smoked Old Fashioned, made with Diplomático rum, Laphroaig whisky, Mozart Black, umeshu, chocolate bitters and hoba leaf smoke.

Prince of York, Sydney

Situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s central business district, the Prince of York is an all-day venue that brings “spontaneity to Sydney’s bar and restaurant scene”.

Offering Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, Prince of York provides an upstairs bar and restaurant as well as a subterranean nightclub where guests can enjoy disco, new wave and post punk tracks.

Riding House Cafe, London

All-day drinking and dining venue the Riding House Café reopened last month after a refurbishment boasting a remodelled interior and menu.

Originally opened in 2011, Riding House Café has refreshed its long bar, lighting and finishes, resulting in a “brighter evolution” of its interior.

Cocktails on the updated menu include the Basil Daiquiri, made with basil-infused Appleton white rum, lime, sugar and salt, and the Snow Comparison, which adds Żubrówka vodka to apple, blueberry, lemon, orgeat and rhubarb bitters.

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