A fab new bar for Deano Moncrieffe and Emma Murphy’s Hacha, a really cool menu at Viajante87, a brand new must-have soundtrack for consuming negronis to, plus a complete heap of dates on your diary, it’s a busy previous week for cocktail lovers…
New bars
***Excellent news, unhealthy information. We’ll get the unhealthy information out of the best way first… Like many followers of Deano Moncrieffe and Emma Murphy’s Hacha bars, we have been gutted to listen to that their Brixton outpost is closing after they’d determined to not renew the lease. Au revoir Hacha Brixton, final orders February fifteenth. Now for the excellent news: they’re coming with a brilliant cool new spot in Bermonds Locke lodge, opening relatively cleverly on Nationwide Margarita Day (February twenty second).
With seating for 100 or so inside and far in demand terrace seating for 40 outdoors, it’s destined to be fairly the hotspot in Bermondsey, notably as they’re coming with a brand new record of tremendous cool tequila or mezcal primarily based signature cocktails, what they’re calling quarterly fusion partnerships with among the most fun eating places on the UK meals scene, an enchanting curated digital again bar, that includes a rotating spirit of the week, aperitivo – agave type and weekend brunches.
New menus
***One factor we all know in regards to the group at Viajante87 is that they take each cocktails and tradition extraordinarily critically. So we weren’t notably shocked to listen to that their newest menu is known as, effectively, Cocktail x Tradition.
Following the format of the earlier assortment, the menu focuses on the flavours of Latin America. However right here’s what we notably love: it’s cleverly divided into 5 sections: Be Snug (‘the place visitors are eased in with approachable but subtly progressive serves’), Be Curious (‘this part invitations visitors to discover cocktails that spotlight distinctive Latin American components whereas retaining a well-known construction’), Be Brave (the place visitors ‘will discover themselves in uncharted but thrilling territory’, Be Current (‘a celebration of communal consuming, the place cocktails are designed to be shared, evoking the heat of Latin American hospitality’) and Be Concerned (‘an interactive bespoke journey the place visitors collaborate with bartenders to create a personalised drink’). We will’t wait to attempt all the menu however we’re notably drawn to the 2 pictured right here and likewise Domingo El Cali, mixing soursop, sotol and a touch of corn husk ash, a crystal-clear cocktail that we’re informed is bursting with layers of vibrant, tropical complexity.
And don’t miss the return of the sensible Cultural Alternate Sequence on twenty second February. The primary within the new sequence sees the groups from Tres Monos on drinks and Niño Gordo on meals, bringing the flavours from Buenos Aires of their unique menus, specifically devised for the night.
New bottles
***New bottle, identical high quality. Hepple Gin will get a refresh as a result of…? Properly, even supermodels want the odd tweakment…
****Admittedly, this one is certainly for these with extra disposable money than your common cocktail lover nevertheless it’s all the time good to know what’s on the market for those who’re out there for one thing fancy, non? Launched earlier this week Andrés Brugal Version 02 is the newest expression within the Brugal portfolio. And because it’s a tribute to founder Andrés Brugal Montaner, it celebrates craftsmanship, historical past and the model’s proud Dominican heritage. Solely 416 bottles can be found globally at a advisable value of £2,420.
New focus
***Is it simply us, or have you ever seen that saké appears to be having a(nother) second? The most recent manufacturers vying for consideration right here in Blighty are Hyaku Moku launching in London on Monday, KAY Saké and Saké ONO, each of which have been round for a minute however have been popping up in our inbox of late. Then in fact, there’s Cate Blanchett, who loves the class a lot that she’s taken on the function of Inventive Director of Toku Saké…
The place to attempt earlier than committing to a complete bottle? We like Kioku Sake Bar on the OWO. With its devoted Sake Samurai who has curated a world class sake programme of over 100 manufacturers – you’ll be able to attempt by the glass, bottle and in a choice of cocktails.
New sounds
Music loving Negroni followers, rejoice! Simon Ford, co-founder and the very vibrant thoughts behind Fords Gin has curated the right playlist on your consuming pleasure. Following his epic Music To Drink Martinis To in collaboration with Dan The Automator, The Negroni Classes sees him bringing collectively 9 specifically chosen tracks from the notorious Jazz Dispensary archives. And its a corker – not simply the selection of tunes (that are completely fab) however the truth that every observe has been paired with a Negroni recipe from among the finest bartenders on this planet. Love, love, love!
The soundtrack is offered to hearken to on Spotify however we are saying, do it correctly and purchase the vinyl, the art work is gorge and the bundle features a bottle of Fords Gin.
New Prime 50 Cocktail Bars record
The Prime 50 Cocktail Bars 2025 record was introduced earlier this week. To not be confused with the World’s 50 Greatest Bars record (however confusingly in the identical publishing steady), this one is a UK solely affair, so nice for giving bars outdoors of the capital some recognition. Give it up for:
1. Devil’s Whiskers, London
2. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
3. Schofield’s Bar, Manchester
4. Sofa, Birmingham
5. Tayer + Elementary, London
6. Swift, Soho, London
7. Passing Fancies, Birmingham
8. Dram, Soho, London
9. The Hideout, Tub
10. Lyaness, South Financial institution, London
11. Communicate in Code, Manchester
12. Nauticus, Edinburgh
13. Three Sheets, Dalston, London
14. Amaro Bar, Kensington, London
15. Under Stairs, Leeds
16. Hey Palu, Edinburgh
17. Viajante87, Notting Hill, London
18. Daddy Marmalades, Glasgow
19. Silverleaf, Spitafields, London
20. The Connaught Bar, Mayfair, London
21. Bar Termini, Soho, London
22. Blinker, Manchester
23. Filthy XIII. Bristol
24. Homicide Inc, Soho, London
25. Stray, Manchester
26. Lab 22, Cardiff
27. Tabula Rasa, Leeds
28. Soma, Soho, London
29. Little Mercies, Crouch Finish, London
30. Nipperkin, Mayfair, London
31. Kwãnt, Mayfair, London
32. Scarfes Bar, Holborn, London
33. The Absent Ear, Glasgow
34. Aspect Hustle, Covent Backyard, London
35. A Bar With Shapes For A Title, Hackney, London
36. Bramble Bar & Lounge, Edinburgh
37. The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder
38. Bar Glue, Liverpool
39. Public, Sheffield
40. Purple Gentle, Manchester
41. Twice Shy, Kensington, London
42. Mom Mercy, Newcastle
43. The Gate, Glasgow
44. Pearl at Park Hill, Sheffield
45. Sister Ray, Liverpool
46. Archive & Fable, Leicester Sq., London
47. Happiness Forgets, Hoxton, London
48. Callooh Callay, Shoreditch, London
49. Kiki Lounge, Douglas, Isle of Man
50. 69 Colebrook Row, Islington, London
And likewise…
Dates for the diary
***nineteenth: The Coral Room in London kicks off its new worldwide bar takeover sequence with a visitor look from II Mercante Venezia. Count on Venetian aptitude, dwell music and immersive celebrations in addition to vibrant cocktails impressed by carnival masks
***twenty second: Stanislav Harcinick from Mirror Bar in Bratislava brings his aptitude, fabulousness and ingenious flavour combos to the Spy Bar for the second in its Covert Operations sequence, simply in time for World Bartender Day.
***till twenty third: To be in with an opportunity of proudly owning some tremendous particular bottles while elevating very important funds for the California wildfire reduction efforts, get your bids in on the Sazerac Wildfire Aid Fundraiser. Up for grabs, the primary ever barrel of Pappy Van Winkle ever out there to buy; a really uncommon, limited-edition Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Assortment that includes six distinctive bourbons, and a bottle of Buffalo Hint Distillery’s ultra-rare Eagle Uncommon 25. Bids shut on twenty third February and all proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen and One other Spherical One other Rally, two non-profit organisations dedicated to ongoing reduction efforts within the state.
***twenty fourth: 4 Seasons Hong Kong is in full celebration temper, with good purpose, it’s celebrating its twentieth anniversary. On February twenty fourth, its award-winning bar ARGO will host ARGO MegaFriends, which can see Zest from Seoul, Vesper from Bangkok and Penrose from Kuala Lumpur becoming a member of forces with the house group.
Business information
***seventeenth: Elevating the Again Bar Hospitality Masterclasses from The Whisky Alternate. The programme takes in three classes, So You Assume You Can Style? with Daybreak Davies MW, A Pinch of Magic: Indie Manufacturers For Sensible Again Bars with Georgie Bell and Peter Allison and From Shaker To Nonetheless with Giuseppe Gallo and Rebecca Almquist. Run by the fabulous folks at The Whisky Alternate, classes are free to attend however registration closes as we speak.
***twentieth: In the event you’re studying this, right here’s one we should always all be trying out, Is AI altering the best way we drink? Register right here for the webinar at 1-2.30pm on February 20
***twenty sixth: Model pop ups, tastings and a few wonderful masterclasses from the likes of Jesse Estes and Jake Burger, in addition to Claire Warner and Zoe Burgess, all on supply on the annual CASK Showcase in London. Register to safe your home.
***Competitors alert: The Artwork of Italicus Aperitivo Problem is again for its seventh version and it’s a goodie… In return for creating an unique, ingenious spritz utilizing a minimal of 40ml of Italicus Rosolio Bergamot, the final word winner of the worldwide competitors will safe themselves a extremely coveted mentorship programme with ITALICUS and Lorenzo Antinori from Bar Leone, plus entry to essentially the most unique bar business occasions world wide. What’s to not love about that? Entries shut April twenty eighth.
Causes to be cheerful
February twenty second is… Nationwide Margarita Day
Get the drinks in at Aspect Hustle on the NoMad London, Café Pacifico and Viajante87 (above) in London. For extra tequila goodness all through the month, look out for the upcoming Patron x Handshake Roadshow coming to London, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh in March. Discover out extra by following Gianluca Canella, Agave Portfolio Ambassador Bacardí Martini and holding a watch out for our interviews subsequent week.
February twenty third is… World Bartender Day
Bartenders world wide, we salute you!
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