Previous Gintime Bars of the Month
Bar Termini Mar 2016
7 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5JE
Think a slice of 1950s style Little Italy in Soho dreamed up by coffee whiz Marco Arrigo and cocktail maestro Tony Conigliario and that’s what Bar Termini is all about. Everything is simple in the traditional Italian way so the … Continue reading
Nola Dec 2014
68 Rivington St, London, EC2A
The brainchild of industry legend Dan Priseman, Nola is a little bit of New Orleans in East London. So it embodies the two things New Orleans is most famous for – music and damn fine cocktails. The drinks menu has … Continue reading
Happiness Forgets Jul 2014
8-9 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU
This issue Gintime is lucky enough to have the mysterious and elusive Gin Monkey giving us her opinion of the bar that every bartender loves. It has no hint of speakeasy about it, yet it’s a bit difficult to find. … Continue reading
White Lyan Mar 2014
White Lyan, 153 – 155 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6PJ
White Lyan in Hoxton Street is as different in concept from any bar you’ve ever been in as grabbing a McDonalds is from dining chez Blumenthal. It’s not about the obvious issues such as quality, rather that the approach to … Continue reading
The Royal Dick Jul 2013
1 Summerhall, The Meadows, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
The Royal Dick at Summerhall, Edinburgh’s much talked about arts hub, is definitely a bit unusual. Located in what was once the Small Animal Hospital of this huge complex formerly the University’s School of Veterinary Studies known to all Edinburghers … Continue reading
Bar Le Coq Dec 2012
12 Rue du Château d'Eau, 75010-10e Arrondissement, Paris
Very French, very chic and very sexy, Bar Le Coq is the latest barventure from Tony Conigliario with partners Thierry Daniel and Eric Frossard of the famous Paris Cocktails and Spirits Bar Show. Situated in the increasingly fashionable 10th, almost … Continue reading
The Last Word Saloon May 2012
44 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AL
Those lovely Bramble boys have done it again. Located in the chic Stockbridge area of Edinburgh their latest venture, The Last Word Saloon, is a transformation of their former gastro pub into an uber cool cocktail bar. Great choice of … Continue reading
Socio Rehab Feb 2012
100-102 High Street, Manchester, M4 1HP
Manchester’s flagship cocktail bar and a real institution, Socio Rehab is renowned for disco cocktails, and luminous concoctions with a garnish that wouldn’t look out of place in an ice cream van 10p mix. Brilliant gin holding with some two … Continue reading
The Booking Office Bar Nov 2011
St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2HR
The Booking Office Bar at St. Pancras has got to be one of the most romantic bars in London – one feels there’s an imminent brief encounter just a step away on the nearby Eurostar platform. Set inside what was … Continue reading
Roast Sep 2011
Floral Hall, Stoney Street, Borough Market, London, SE1 1TL
Roast Restaurant and Bar is in the middle of London’s Borough Market where 10,000 food lovers flock each weekend to buy from Britain’s best farmers and producers. The restaurant’s ‘Best of British’ theme has been carried over to the bar … Continue reading
The SKY Bar Jun 2011
Point Hotel 34 Bread Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AF
Pop up bars are all the rage right now and the SKY Bar at Edinburgh’s Point Hotel has to be one of the best. On the last Thursday of every month the rooftop SKY Bar opens to the public as … Continue reading
The Ivy Bar Apr 2011
102-106 Argyle Street,Glasgow, G3 7RX
Glasgow’s bar scene is upping its game and The Ivy Bar is typical of the city’s new cocktail energy and passion. It’s located on the west end of Argyle Street, occupying the space formerly held by 54 Below. Over the … Continue reading
The Nightjar Feb 2011
129-131 City Road, London, EC1V 1JB
It’s easy to miss but once you’ve found the discreet doorway along a parade of cafés along the City Road, you’ll find yourself in the world of The Nightjar. Designed as an antidote to overcrowded super bars the recently opened … Continue reading
Baltic Bar and Restaurant Dec 2010
74 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8HA
Baltic Bar and Restaurant in Blackfriars Road is Eastern Europe meets downtown New York. Redesigned by architect Seth Stein whilst retaining its original character, it’s located in a late 18th century coachbuilder’s building. A discreet entrance into the Amber Bar … Continue reading
Graphic Oct 2010
4 Golden Square, Soho, London, W1F 9HT
Graphic, in the heart of Soho, has got to be the best gin bar in the world. With over 65 gins on offer (yes some that even we have never seen before) it’s a paradise for the juniper inclined. The … Continue reading
Oxo Tower Bar Sep 2010
Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH
Perched on top of this famous South Bank landmark with its distinctive Oxo branding, the Oxo Tower Bar is one of London’s most glamorous settings and the perfect spot to enjoy the long evenings as the clocks go back. After … Continue reading
Purl Aug 2010
50/54 Blandford Street Marylebone, London W1U 7HX
Purl London is a brand new cocktail bar in Marylebone that is the life long ambition of cocktail maestros Bryan Pietersen, Tristan Stephenson, Thomas Aske and Matt Whiley. Atmospheric décor with lots of lovely leather sofas and a deliberately retro … Continue reading
The Raconteur Jun 2010
50 Dean Street, Edinburgh
So what happens when three of Scotland’s best barkeeps take over an old geezer pub with the mission to serve the best drinks money can buy? The Raconteur happens. Headed up by the renowned Jamie Mac The Raconteur is cocktail … Continue reading
The Player May 2010
8 Broadwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 8HN
One of Soho’s best kept secrets The Player is part of the Match Bar Group and one of a chain of private members clubs including the famed Milk and Honey just round the corner. But the good news is that … Continue reading
Circus Mar 2010
27-29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9BA
Located on Endell St in Seven Dials in the heart of Covent Garden, Circus is a brand new venue for drinking, dining, dancing and late night escapades. Designed by iconic British designer Tom Dixon, it serves Pan-American cuisine alongside an … Continue reading
Pinchito Feb 2010
32 Featherstone Street, London, EC1
Just around the corner from Old Street Tube station is Pinchito, baby brother to the award winning Pinxto People in Brighton and modelled on the same format ie a fantastic range of authentic Basque-style tapas and great drinks. They love … Continue reading
The Light Bar Jan 2010
233 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6PJ
Located on Shoreditch High Street, The Light Bar is just a stone’s throw away from the heart of the City. One of London’s first cool bars the tasteful mixture of industrial brick and steel décor reflects the building’s industrial heritage … Continue reading
The Lonsdale Dec 2009
48 Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2DE
The Lonsdale, in uber trendy Notting Hill, is firmly established as one of London’s top cocktail destinations. Not surprising as the boxes virtually tick themselves: check adventurous décor, an accessible location, great food and drinks to die for. Maestro Dick … Continue reading
Callooh Callay Nov 2009
65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AY
Whacky name, fab bar. Callooh Callay takes its name from Jabberwocky, the nonsensical poem by Lewis Carroll, and has many quirky design touches that make it a fascinating place to hang out. For example the surreal Narnia wardrobe. Enter it … Continue reading
The Opera Quarter Bar Oct 2009
3 Tavistock St, London, WC2E 7PA
The Opera Quarter Bar is a temporary pop up venue from renowned cocktail maestro Douglas Ankrah whose ambition was to set up the best bar in the world, showcasing the world’s leading bartenders – a must see for bar connoisseurs, … Continue reading
Ronnie’s Bar Aug 2009
47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is a Soho institution and the newly revamped members only Ronnie’s Bar upstairs takes its inspiration from the Jacques Garcia designed Black Bar at the Hôtel Costes in Paris. Think leopard skin, full on 1930s glamour … Continue reading
Hawksmoor Jul 2009
157 Commercial Street London, E1 6BJ
Named after the architect who designed nearby Christ Church, Hawksmoor is the ultimate steakhouse and cocktail bar. The décor is elegantly simple with white walls and open brickwork, black seating, tables of reclaimed Burmese teak and a magnificent bar sourced … Continue reading
Portobello Star May 2009
171 Portobello Road, London, W11 2DY
The first London outpost of the team who conquered Leeds with such iconic bars as Angel’s Share, Jake’s and Oporto, The Portobello Star is the bar everyone’s now talking about. Headed up by the renowned Jake Burger (see Gintime Feature) … Continue reading
The Bon Vivant Apr 2009
55 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DY
Edinburgh stalwart Stuart McCluskey’s very own bar is just what you’d expect from a self confessed gin nut and total perfectionist. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s drinkng triangle it’s a welcoming spot with a fantastic bar, comfy sofas and … Continue reading
Kumo Feb 2009
11 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1NQ
Kumo is Knightsbridge’s newest and coolest Japanese destination venue with the extra bonus of having a serious, proper cocktail bar boasting a to die for drinks menu designed by award winning cocktail impresario Douglas Ankrah. Naturally enough the cocktails have … Continue reading
Jake’s Bar and Grill Nov 2008
29 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT
Down some steps in a basement in The Calls, Leeds’ famous clubbing district is a proper cool bar serving proper cocktails and great food. Head honcho Jake Burger is a legend in the bar world and what he doesn’t know … Continue reading
Salt Bar Sep 2008
82 Seymour Street, London, W2 2JB
Right in the heart of central London is this speakeasy lounge style Whisky and Cocktail bar. Salt Bar and Dining Room is known throughout London for its astonishing range of whiskies and bourbons – over 200 at the last count. … Continue reading
Tempus Aug 2008
George Hotel, 21 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 2PB
Sometimes hotel bars can be stuffy places. Not Tempus. Right in the heart of Edinburgh’s drinking triangle on George Street, this is the place to sip in style. A bar, bistro and restaurant it’s open all day seven days a … Continue reading
Bramble Bar & Lounge Jul 2008
16a Queen Street, Edinburgh
Brand new Bramble Bar & Lounge is the latest addition to Edinburgh’s astonishingly good bar scene. Down the stairs at the foot of Hanover Street in what was once the Oyster Bar, it’s a proper Prohibition style cocktail bar with … Continue reading
The Establishment Jun 2008
45-47 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London SW6 4HH
This new bar and restaurant in Parsons Green exudes retro style, evoking childhood memories of classic British police dramas and 70’s gangster films, thanks to Ford Cortina inspired banquette seating, glamorous Foscarini glass chandeliers and a truly 70’s chocolate colour … Continue reading
Bünker May 2008
41 Earlham Street, London, WC2 9LD
Beneath the butterbean croquettes and tofu shakes of Neal’s Yard, the vast Bünker bierhall is whooping it up, buzzing as always with office workers making a healthy din over a Beastie Boys soundtrack. It’s a sociable sort of a joint … Continue reading
The Club Bar and Dining Apr 2008
21-22 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5NE
Bar of the Month winner The Club Bar and Dining Located at what used to be the Sugar Club in the easy to navigate part of Soho, The Club Bar and Dining has an informal bar and dining room on … Continue reading
Doon Mar 2008
66 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS
A hidden gem in the heart of Central London, this sexy, underground late night venue is just ‘doon the stairs’ from Albannach, the unique Scottish themed restaurant and bar in Trafalgar Square. Doon is just the kind of bar we … Continue reading
