The Bars to Watch in 2014: UK
The UK has probably the most eclectic and downright unusual bar culture in the world, as Jim Wrigley discovers in his roundup of the UK Bars to Watch in 2014
Style and an eclectic back bar are inherent to the UK Bars to Watch in 2014The British bars regaling the list of those to watch in 2013 comprised of hot dogs, ping pong and a bucket-load of fun, but this year things are getting more serious, with the 2014 pick taking much of their inspiration from around the world.
Dan Priseman, an industry stalwart known most recently for his work as Four Roses Bourbon’s UK band ambassador, is a self-confessed regressive, returning to his roots as a bartender with the blindingly popular NOLA in London’s equally trendy Shoreditch.
Taking its cues from New Orleans, the bar is packed with plenty of soul and has even attracted the likes of Ghostbuster-turned-vodka owner Dan Aykroyd, who has been known to bust out a choon or two.
Continuing the globetrotting trend is a suitably named concept from the famous Tony Conigliaro, which although at the time of writing was still site-less, is expected to be nothing short of extraordinary once open. Airmail, as with NOLA, will take inspiration from overseas, drawing on a number of cities and cultures from around the world.
Readers will notice a significant lack of bars from outside London in our pick of the bars to watch for 2014. This is not a reflection on the quality of establishments elsewhere in the country, more that so many fascinating concepts are taking off in the nation’s capital it would be imprudent not to include them.
Click through the following pages to discover The UK Bars to Watch in 2014.
UK Bar to Watch: White Lyan, London
This new venture on Hoxton Street is the brainchild of Ryan Chetiyawardana and Iain Griffiths, who have created a concept that has the whole UK bartending scene talking.
Whether or not the innovative readymade drinks prepared with house-made ingredients are your cup of tea – they have a compounder’s licence which allows them to create weird and wonderful macerations and infusions at will – the lack of conventional bar items such as citrus, or anything perishable for that matter, and ice – they dilute accurately using their own filtered water with specifically selected minerals – are certainly worth a look.
The beers and wines get the White Lyan treatment as well, with bespoke atomisers adapting the liquids to their precise specifications. All of this preparation allows the staff more time to spend with the guests, and the guests more time to enjoy the comfortably cool two floors that await behind the subtly sign-posted door.
Also recommended: Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London
A new venture in Bethnal Green, East London, from Fraser Chapman and Kevin Armstrong – the ex-Match guys behind The Hunter S – and the newest home for Marcis Dzelzainis, of 69 Colebrook Row and Zetter Townhouse. Satan’s Whiskers promises to be a good, old-fashioned neighbourhood bar with drinks of the simple, tasty and accessible kind. With its usual attention to detail paired with laid-back old school hip hop tunes, the lucky locals should be in for a treat.
The Blind Pig, Soho, London
Already on the connoisseur’s Soho drinking trail, the upstairs bar to Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House seems to be ticking all the right boxes. Awarded its first Michelin star this year – thanks to the talent of chef patron Paul Hood, formerly of Pollen Street Social and Maze – you’d expect to find excellent service and quality nibbles, and you do, but the knowledgeable bar team also manage not to take themselves too seriously, with tongue-in-cheek libations such as the Thermo-Nuclear Daiquiri and Ooh-arr-tinez supporting the notion that puns and gimmicks can taste as great as the drinks themselves.
Berners Tavern at The Edition Hotel, London
The buzz around the newly-opened Edition Hotel from Ian Schrager has been massive, and Jason Atherton and Gareth Evans – who also run The Blind Pig – have been busy here as well, working with the guys from Strangehill to fill the awe-inspiring space with drinks, food and service to match.
Add to this the intriguingly exclusive Punch Room laden with leather chairs and beautiful punch bowls, and the “floating” nightclub with house-made bottled cocktails and music from Will Besant, then there looks to be something for every occasion.
NOLA, Shoreditch, London
The first venue from industry stalwarts James Triffo and Dan Priseman, this mildly hidden bar-within-a-bar has brought the world-renowned drinking dens of New Orleans to East London.
The extensive drinks list features a fabulous range of Bourbon, rye and American whiskey, as well as an impressive selection of exceptionally executed NOLA classics, side-by-side with house creations, like the range of Hurricanes, as well as an impressive American whiskey range, all offered in a wood ‘n’ leather, cosy creole-vibed bar. The smoking terrace is also authentically “Nawlins” with wicker chairs and a tin-roof to complete the setting.
Milk Thistle, Bristol
From the Attic to the Vault, whether you like the taxidermy or come for the Gin Club, this sister bar to Hyde & Co appears to have something for everyone. Sprawled eclectically over four floors, the over-the-top country house/ hunting lodge theme is solid throughout, as are the drinks which include Fixes, Slings, Daisies, not to mention a pea and anise-infused vodka drink.
Airmail, TBC, London
This is the newest project for industry maestro Tony Conigliaro which sees him putting together a concept-based bar with Nico de Soto (previously bar manager for the ECC group) and Coco Prochorowski, also formerly at ECC London and New York.
Conigliaro – who opened both 69 Colebrook Row and the Zetter Townhouse to much acclaim – and his team will be looking to do something entirely different, using a collection of cities from around the world as inspiration to create a unique environment.
To be revealed in 2014 at an undisclosed location in London, the bar promises to be a totally immersive experience.
Foxlow, London
Liam Davy, former star of Match and Quo Vadis, heads up the bar in this new venture from the Hawksmoor team. Aiming to create the perfect neighbourhood restaurant, the bar will be an integral part of the experience. A 12-strong cocktail list features 100% original drinks, including a delicious smoked Bloody Mary, a twist on the Miami Vice, and a Pickle Buck – a long version of the Pickle Back. The menu will also feature a range of light, dry, £5 aperitifs.
