Hottest bar openings in March 2016

A groundbreaking whisky den, specialist cider house and fairytale cocktail forest are all included in our latest round-up of hot new bar openings around the world.

These are some of the hottest bars that opened around the world last month

While the names behind Fluid Movement have made a bid to democratise whisky with a new defiant East London venue, the city has also seen the expansion of a colorful Latin American bar chain in Brixton and re-launch of an ethereal rooftop hangout.

In addition to the UK capital, Chicago saw a number of exciting bars open their doors, including the city’s first cider pub and specialist mezcalaria. Meanwhile, after years of planning, Glasgow opened a spirits library featuring more than 300 bottles.

Click through the following pages to discover some of the hottest bars to open around the world in March 2016.

Black Rock, London

One of the most talked about bar openings of the year, Black Rock claims to “reinvent whisky drinking as we know it”. The innovative underground venue, launched by the entrepreneurs behind bar consultancy Fluid Movement Tom Aske and Tristan Stephenson, features an 18ft, 185-year-old tree trunk as an alternative bar workstation, which also doubles up as a cocktail ageing system. Two channels have been carved into the length of the trunk with one lined with American charred oak and the other toasted European oak. Visible to guests beneath a glass top, the channels will age two whisky cocktails that can be poured directly from one end of the trunk. With an aim to “remove the stigma” of whisky, Black Rock holds more than 250 bottles from around the world organised into a simple three-tier price point per dram. The bar also features “modern, stripped back” interior design and a hip-hop, electro-funk soundtrack.

Tom’s Kitchen, London

Located on the quayside of London’s famous moored museum ship HMS Belfast is the latest installment of the Tom’s Kitchen venues. Launched by Michelin-star chef Tom Aikens, the site is a dual deli and rooftop with stunning views overlooking Tower Bridge and The Shard. The bar features nautical themed cocktails such as The Black Pearl, a mix of blackberry infused Beefeater gin, lemon, and Chambord blackberry liqueur; The Kraken, which includes Four Roses Bourbon, maple syrup and Curious Brew stout; and The Lifeboat Sidecar, containing blackberry and vanilla infused Martell Cognac, Cointreau and lemon. Open from noon until late, the bar has been designed as an “al fresco destination in the capital for passers-by, tourists, local office workers and residents alike”.

Spiritualist, Glasgow

With one of the most extensive spirits menus in Scotland, the Spiritualist bar and restaurant is the brainchild of restaurant operator Ryan Barrie and Jim Ballantyne. Based on the site of a once derelict library in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, the bar boasts a gantry of more than 320 spirits and liqueurs and has been “years in the making”. Through a partnership with specialist distributor Hot Sauce, Spiritualist is able to offer rare expressions such as Louis XIII Cognac and the entire Fortaleza Tequila range. Some of these bottles are even available for customers to purchase and have delivered to their doors through the venue’s ‘Buy a Tipple’ service. Not neglecting Glasgow’s foodies, Spiritualist offers a “unique and exclusive” dining experience where up to 10 guests will be able to enjoy a bespoke tasting menu designed by executive chef Mark Stocks.

Backbeat, Austin

The latest addition to Austin’s emerging cocktail scene is Backbeat, founded by husband and wife team Michael and Jessica Sanders. The two-storey bar is located in the bustling South Lamar neighborhood and features a rooftop patio with views of Austin’s beautiful skyline. The Backbeat menu remixes classic cocktails with “playfully imaginative and unexpected ingredients” and lists them in three distinctive menu categories: Upbeat, Downbeat and Offbeat. The Upbeat cocktails are citrus, herb, and fruit-forward serves that use “vibrant spirits”, while Downbeat mixes feature “brooding spirits” with heavier spices, fortified wines and bitters and the Offbeat section features dessert and tiki cocktails. Along with cocktails, the bar offers wine, cider and beer, including six craft brews on tap and 10 wines by the glass, including a rotating program that will showcase a single grower-producer Champagne house.

Barrio Brixton, London

Vibrant Latin bar chain Barrio has opened another venue is South London’s Brixton, taking inspiration from local markets, arcades, brewers and distillers. Described as a “fun, vibrant, local hangout” the bar specialises in South American spirits such as Tequila, mezcal, pisco, and cachaça and serves brewery-fresh copper tank beer alongside other local and Latin craft brews. Working alongside Salts of the Earth, Barrio’s chief executive has looked to his Peruvian heritage to create a food menu focusing on Anticuchos, a type of skewered meat. The venue’s bright and playful décor has been created using upcycled materials.

The Northman, Chicago

Touted as Chicago’s first cider bar, The Northman has finally opened its doors after numerous delays and much anticipation. The venue boasts 18 cider drafts, two Spanish ‘long pour’ ciders and more than 80 cans and bottles of cider, in addition to six craft beers on tap 20 craft beers in cans and bottles and a wine and spirits menu. Owners also claim that The Northman has Chicago’s largest selection of French apple brandy Calvados. With capacity to seat 68 guests, the bar features 1920s interior design along with pictures of prominent producers from the heartland cider regions of France and England.

Forest Restaurant and Bar, London

Retailer Selfridges has partnered with restaurateur Des McDonald to re-open Forest Restaurant and Bar, featuring a spring-inspired menu championing fresh, locally grown ingredients. As guests step out of a dedicated express lift, they are greeted by a ‘living wall’ of plants and a spring-like forest bloom, with bright botany scattered throughout the restaurant and bar space. A sun terrace also gets guests in the springtime mood with floral potting sheds, which are available to hire. A wooden bar decorated with spring blooms serves a bespoke sharing cocktail list, magnums of wine and champagne. Food-wise, the venue’s spring menu serves locally sourced, British seasonal produce, and each month will celebrate a particular seasonal fruit or vegetable.

Mezcaleria Las Flores, Chicago

Another interesting specialist venue from the Windy City, Mezcaleria Las Flores features more than 60 bottles of mezcal spanning the diverse category, as well as Tequila and sotol. Complex serves on the menu includes the Basedworld Paradise, a mix of Mayalen Wild Cupreata, Victoria Beer, pineapple, lemongrass, Dolin Génépy and fresh lime; and the Five Unlucky Days, containing Cimarron Tequila Reposado, Landy VS Cognac, La Gitana Manzanilla Sherry, CH Fernet, and nutmeg oil.