The UK’s Best Adults-Only Soft Play Centres

Most of us have memories of soft play centres from our childhood, whether it was a rainy weekend or a birthday party but save the young parents that might get involved themselves with their own kids, it’s a world we say goodbye to forever as adults. Or is it?

We all like passing the time in restaurants and pubs, but boozy soft play bars like these are bringing back the silliness to adult life. Not only are they nostalgic, with the retro games, ball pits, slides, nets and tunnels we remember, but you also get the grown-up bonus of drinks. Suddenly those climbing walls don’t look as straightforward!

Take a look below to find your nearest adults-only soft play centre – they each offer something different, but they all offer a turn back in time.

Howlers, Newcastle

Image credit: Howlers

Howler’s is Newcastle’s only ball pit bar, but as a £1m project, it’s much more than that. There’s also karaoke, stag and hen events, bottomless brunches, corporate events, and all kinds of parties. It promises the bizarre and bonkers, and whilst we would say it rolls back the years to your childhood, this will likely be very, very different.  And if you’re worried about sharing a ball pit with that many people (many of whom will be tipsy to say the least, let’s face it), then take comfort tin Howlers’ fancy cleaning machine that gobbles up 10,000 balls over the hour and spits them out clean. On top of that, the entire pit is emptied and cleaned ready for the weekend!

Location: 28-32 Collingwood St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE11JF
Entry Fee: The Howlers Bottomless Bonkers Ball (£12+) The ChachaBuchi Bottomless Brunch (£29.99+)
Website: https://howlersnewcastle.com/

Wonderland: Adult Soft Play, London

Image credit: Wonderland: Adult Soft Play

If you’ve seen any adult soft play centres online, it’s most likely to be this TikTok hit. Situated in Palmers Green and open most weekends, it’s a three-storey mystically themed retro style soft play centre with slides, ball pits, swings, tunnels, DJs, boozy slushies as well as a fully-fledged arcade and bar games area. ‘Never Grow Up’ is the motto and the aim of the game here!

Location: 220 Green Lanes, London N13 5UD
Entry Fee: £22
Website: https://www.kbo2.co.uk/adult-events/27

Big Fun, Hull

Image credit: Big Fun, Hull

By day, Big Fun is full of children playing, but on Friday Nights, it’s Adult Night! The Bar is open all evening serving legendary drinks like the Double Vodka Slush, including BOGOF Happy Hour 8pm-9pm. There’s even private rooms for £60 if you don’t fancy waiting for the slide. It’s not a small recreation of a play centre, because it literally is one, so you get the entire colourful labyrinth to crawl, slide and jump through – and all for under a tenner.

Location: 335 National Ave, Hull HU5 4JB
Entry Fee: £8.95
Website: https://www.big-fun-hull.co.uk/adult-nights/

Ocean Adventurers, Bristol

Image credit: Ocean Adventurers

South of Bristol and east of Weston-super-Mare lies Ocean Adventurers Soft Play. This is another genuine children’s soft play that hosts adult only nights called ‘Adventurers After Dark’. Three stories of laser tag, karaoke, interactive games, and full soft-play arena await. And if you’re wondering whether everything will be too small for you, think again, because they’ve installed a giant games area where everything is oversized. There is so much to do here for £10 if you’re fancying something different from a bar or nightclub.

Location: Ocean Adventurers, Unit 11, Cheddar Business Park, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3EB
Entry Fee: £9.95
Website: https://bookings.oceanadventurers.com/book/adventurers-after-dark---adult-only-nights/327

Pirates Play, Nottingham

Image credit: Pirates Play

This Nottingham play centre is a slightly different offering. You can pre-book a private adult party with them, where their party hosts lead your group through games across the three stories of soft play. Think tag rugby and shot relay which is perfect for any competitive groups out there. Alternatively, you can be left alone to do as you wish – it’s up to you. You’ll get to blast your own playlists through the speakers too! And get this, you can even bring your own booze, snacks, and nibbles – how good is that?

Location: 41 Rowley Dr, Nottingham NG5 1GD
Entry Fee: £295 for up to 25 people / £10pp thereafter (Laser Tag added for £35)
Website: https://bookings.oceanadventurers.com/book/adventurers-after-dark---adult-only-nights/327

Ballie Ballerson, Edinburgh, London, and Cardiff

Image credit: Ballie Ballerson

With bars in England, Scotland and Wales, you’re never too far away from a chaotic ball pit with Ballie Ballerson. Their giant glowing ball pits are famous with an insane number of balls. Whilst they don’t have the slides and tunnels too, they are very much proper bars in their own right. Cocktails are served by champion bartenders, bottomless brunches, hen dos, and all kinds of entertainment are a constant. If you’re after a classic chaotic bright ‘n’ busy bar experience with a touch of fun and games, this is for you.

Locations:
London - 97-113 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3BS
Edinburgh - 14 Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QN
Cardiff - Unit 6-7 Brewery Quarter, Cardiff CF10 1FG
Entry Fee: £4.50-£12.50 depending on date and location (more for brunch, karaoke etc.)
Website: https://ballieballerson.com/

If you’re looking for more drinks related group events, then a distillery tour is always worth looking into. Here are a few to get you started!

The Top 10 UK Cocktail Bars of 2024

Once again, the Top 50 Cocktail Bars of 2024 sponsored by Franklin and Sons has been announced, with a who’s who of drinks writers, businesspeople, and influencers from across the UK deliberating, including our very own Aidy as host!

After much investigation and debate, the highly competitive list has been shortened to 50, and these 10 represent cocktail heaven. The full list is at the bottom of this page for your convenience, so you can find the nearest and greatest cocktail bars in your area... especially with Valentine’s Day coming up. For now, though, let the countdown begin...

10. Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London

Retaining its top ten spot, Tayēr + Elementary offers something of a dual experience. For high-speed, all-day premium ‘draught’ cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Elementary is where you want to be. But come nighttime, Tayēr awaits through the partition – a world of darkness, changeable exotic concoctions, and a rotation of guest bartenders. Renowned seasonal snacking, a commitment to drinks other than cocktails, brutalist décor and a warm service complete this unique offering.

Address: 152 Old St, London, EC1V 9BW
Website here (walk-ins only)

9. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

The second highest Scottish bar on the list, Panda & Sons is one you could be forgiven for missing. Stroll past on the hunt for libations, and you might just think it’s a barber shop, but enter, and you’ll be welcomed past the Prohibition face and into speakeasy bliss. Cabinets of curiosities and vintage furniture set in dim light make for a very seductive proposition, not to mention the ‘Chapters’ based menu. Currently, the theme is Transcend, dedicated to innovative freezing techniques researched for 5 years. An incredible science lab-cum-speakeasy experience.

Phone number: 0131 220 0443
Address: 79 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF
Book here

8. AMARO Bar, Kensington, London

Rocketing up from 46th place last year is AMARO, a modern take on the classic cocktail bar. It only opened in 2021 with the former head mixologist at the Savoy Elon Soddu at the helm, serving classical twists like the Mango Bellini and Peach 76. Beyond that, more expensive vintage cocktails are available, the priciest of which is the 1980 Boulevardier at £190. The complete drinks selection is really expansive (particularly the whiskey) and the granite bar is stunning.

Phone number: +447745520816
Address: 15 Kensington High St, London W8 5NP
Book here

7. Swift Soho, Soho, London

The shelves at this Old Compton Street spot are bending under awards. With mirrors a-plenty, leather booths and a smorgasbord of unique cocktails, it’s no wonder it’s Top 10 yet again. A buzzing ground floor leads into the basement den where you can find live music, a rotating cocktail theme and over 300 whiskies! It all comes together magnificently.

Address: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ
Book here

6. Blinker, Manchester

Into 6th from 41st last year, it’s Blinker in Manchester. Named after a forgotten classic (a cocktail of rye, grapefruit, and raspberry), this bar is all about seasonality and local ingredients. Expect a menu that changes on the monthly, with dedicated Martini and Old Fashioned sections standing out, as well as generous No-Lo serves.

Phone number: 0161 236 8225
Address: 64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ
Book here

5. Hey Palu, Edinburgh

The best cocktail bar in Scotland, say Hey to Palu. It’s quaint, intimate, and modern, with a focus on Italian aperitivo styles. Amari, Bitters and Vermouths are everywhere, all soundtracked by killer songs. Expect Negroni and Martini classics, as well as twists like the signature White Strawberry Negroni. Oh, and the bar team are award-winning in themselves! A complete cocktail offering.

Phone number: 0131 285 6752
Address: 49 Bread St, Edinburgh, EH3 9AH
Book here

4. Couch, Birmingham

Narrowly missing out on the Top 10 last year but now up to 4th it’s Couch in Birmingham. Behind the bar is the 2024 Bar Team of the Year, working hard so you can relax and enjoy their cinema-inspired handcrafted cocktails, for example A Bronx Tale with Malfy lemon, blood orange and Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth. Clean, spacious, relaxed and artistic.

Address: 1466 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2NT
Book here (walk-ins only)

3. Passing Fancies, Birmingham

Step onto the podium now with another Brummie spot – Passing Fancies. Climbing 29 places from last year, this laid-back spot only opened in 2022 but has already established a stellar reputation for its ‘kitchen at a house party’ style. As the name suggests, the team embrace themes and change, but generally specialise in fruity delights like Adult Ribena and Berry Cobbler.

Phone number: 07542 839882
Address: 30 Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4BF
Book here

2. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London

In 2nd place, and the highest London finish of the entire list, it’s last year’s winner, Satan’s Whiskers. Rather than the swanky London style, it embraces a more unassuming character – think taxidermy, hip-hop, exposed brick, and unique décor. It’s famous for its community feel, with daily menu changes, expert mixology, and a famous atmosphere. Try the Bloody Mary with tacos and quesadilla if you go.

Phone number: 02077398362
Address: 343 Cambridge Heath Rd, London, E2 9RA
Book here

1. SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester

And it’s Manchester that takes the top spot! It’s Schofield’s Bar, the brainchild of famous Mancunian brothers, not Liam and Noel but Joe and Daniel Schofield. Their iconic venue sits on the corner of art deco beauty Sunlight House and offers reasonably priced classic cocktails and in house twists making use of their 25 years of bartending expertise. It’s such a distinguished bar and the literary themes pull everything together nicely. A worthy winner, and shimmering jewel of the North.

Phone number: 07311 777606
Address: 3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ
Book here

The Franklin & Sons Top 50 Cocktail Bars 2024:

1. Schofield’s Bar – Manchester

2. Satan’s Whiskers – Bethnal Green

3. Passing Fancies – Digbeth, Birmingham

4. Couch – Stirchley, West Midlands

5. Hey Palu – Edinburgh, Midlothian

6. Blinker – Manchester

7. Swift Soho – London

8. Amaro Bar – Kensington, London

9. Panda and Sons – Edinburgh

10. Tayēr + Elementary – Shoreditch, London

11. Kwãnt – Mayfair, London

12. Speak in Code – Manchester

13. Three Sheets – Dalston, London

14. 🔶🟥🔵 – Hackney, London

15. Murder Inc – Soho, London

16. Tabula Rasa – Leeds

17. Lab 22 – Cardiff

18. Filthy XIII – Bristol

19. Crossroads – Newington Green

20. The Connaught Bar – Mayfair, London

21. Project Halcyon – Manchester

22. SOMA – Soho, London

23. Eve Bar – Covent Garden

24. Side Hustle – Covent Garden

25. The Hideout – Bath

26. Little Mercies – Crouch End, London

27. Below Stairs – Leeds

28. Silverleaf – Spitalfields, London

29. Bar Termini – Soho, London

30. Seed Library – Shoreditch, London

31. Charlie Brown’s – Glasgow

32. Bramble Bar & Lounge – Edinburgh

33. Scarfes Bar – Holborn, London

34. Happiness Forgets – Hoxton, London

35. The Absent Ear – Glasgow

36. 69 Colebrooke Row – Islington, London

37. Artesian – Fitzrovia, London

38. Callooh Callay – Shoreditch, London

39. Fox and Chance – Birmingham

40. The Milk Thistle – Bristol

41. Nauticus – Edinburgh

42. Public – Sheffield

43. The Gate – Glasgow

44. Nightjar – Shoreditch, London

45. Ojo Rojo – Bournemouth

46. The Wildcat – Edinburgh

47. Lyaness – South Bank, London

48. Pennyroyal – Cardiff

49. Bench – Sheffield

50. The American Bar – Auchterarder

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Drinks Lovers: Distillery Tours in the UK & Ireland

Distillery and winery tours make for amazing gifts for anyone who’s into their drinks, and they’re usually not as expensive as you might think. Getting up close and personal with whisky, gin or wine production really brings the drink to life, and these tours from across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland do exactly that, each with rave reviews and in spectacular locations.

Whisky Distillery Tours

Jameson Distillery Bow Street, Dublin

This place is an absolute monument to Irish Whiskey. If you didn’t know, then Jameson is the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world, so it’s no surprise that they have a top notch set up to explore it. Conveniently, it’s also in Dublin so easy to get to. John Jameson founded this former factory in 1780, and you can tailor your experience there by budget and activities. Options include all kinds of tasting sessions at the Jameson centrepiece bar, how to blend your own whiskey, a big focus on whiskey cocktails, and all the rich history too.

Find more info here

Glenfiddich, Dufftown

William Grant laid the first stones to this distillery in 1886, making it one of the oldest family-owned Scotch whisky distilleries going. It’s world-renowned, and the 35-hectare site in the Valley of the Deer (between Aberdeen and Inverness) is one of the most impressive distilleries to explore. Explore picturesque pagodas, a traditional aging warehouse, giant stillhouses and bottling lines, with rich details every step of the way, that only come with so much heritage and experience. The guides have a great reputation, opening up the world of Glenfiddich for you, and all before a generous taste of the good stuff – golden Speyside Scotch. There are so many wonderful distilleries, but if we have to pick one, this is probably the one to visit.

Find more info here

Penderyn, Brecon Beacons

Though they have two other distilleries in Swansea and Llandudno, Brecon Beacons is the original 2004 site for Penderyn, the distillery that brought whisky back to Wales. This award-winning 1-hour tour welcomes more than 40,000 visitors a year to the easy-on-the-eye Brecon Beacons. Visitors see everything – the mill, the mash turn, the state-of-the-art stills, and it’s all finished with a sample of the acclaimed whisky itself. It’s not got centuries behind it like some distilleries in the UK, but it’s making history all the same.

Find more info here

The English Distillery, Norfolk

Just like Wales, whisky distilleries have been popping up in England over the last two decades, and the more relaxed manufacturing rules and warmer climate allow for different, experimental whiskies. When King (then Prince) Charles opened The English Distillery in rural Norfolk in 2005, it was the first of its kind in a century. A prolific and acclaimed malt whisky producer, the tour operates 7 days a week, showcasing the magnificent distilling floor, barrel warehouse and more. The tour is known for devilish detail whilst also being easy to follow, and those that don’t wish to take part can take a stroll by the stunning nearby river.

Find more info here

Gin Distillery Tours

Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire

World-famous, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire is a must for any gin lover. The site once housed a Victorian paper mill, and the derelict redbrick has been intertwined with modern architectural beauty, like the glasshouse centrepiece, which contains all the Bombay botanicals. The reviews are impressive, the pictures are stunning, and a recent 2021 upgrade brought in a cinema room and refreshed cocktail menu to match the interactive cocktail bar. It’s a botanical paradise, exploring the masterful details of how the ingredients become the liquid, as well as fascinating ecology and sustainability tricks. There are plenty of tour options too for flexibility.

Find more info here

Edinburgh Gin, Edinburgh

This is the place to go for insight into the Scottish capital’s rich history with juniper, and you also get to visit one of the most stunning cities in Europe. The working distillery has such an atmosphere that its one of the top ranked attractions a city full of them. The bar and visitor centre is subterranean enhancing the vibe, where you can taste their award-winning gins (the Rhubarb is a favourite of ours), and exactly what you try (or your giftee if you’re still feeling selfless) is up to you – there’s chocolate pairings, mixology adventures, or the classic distillery tasting experience.

Find more info here

Gower Gin, Swansea

We love Gower’s GWYR gin for its pure feel, and it turns out that their tour experience is just as good. A far cry form giant distillery tours, this is intimate. The husband-and-wife team behind this Welsh gin started in a ‘bike shed’ at the end of their garden, and still do things on a small scale at their charming micro-distillery. Foraged botanicals like gorse flower, sea buckthorn and linen meet quirky additions such as teas and cubeb pepper, and everything is inspired by the seaside or Welsh influences. They now have their peaceful tasting garden available… and you get all of that for free! Yep, free. So if you’re gifting it, maybe you can give them money to buy a bottle at the end… because they’ll definitely want to.

Find more info here

Dingle Distillery, County Kerry

The great thing about Dingle Distillery in Ireland is that it’s not just award-winning gin produced there, but whiskey and vodka too, so you get a unique insight into what it takes to master different spirits up close. The generous guided tour covers the entire production process, from working with local farms to finessing the final product… which you will get to sample of course. It’s a really well put together enthusiastic and informative experience, and the local port town of Dingle is well worth a visit too.

Find more info here

Winery and Vineyard Tours

Simpsons Estate, Kent

If anywhere is the home of English wine, it has to be Kent. Nestled covertly amongst the North Downs slopes, not far from Canterbury, lies the Simpsons Estate, headed up by Charles and Ruth, veterans of the English wine revival. The area itself is already an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and that’s before the vineyard, where you’ll walk the iconic Roman Road and learn everything from in the vine to wine process. To finish, the Glass House Tasting Room looks out over the winery, where visitors can try the traditional method fizz or innovative 100% Pinot Meunier. The sunset session is very memorable indeed, if it’s available.

Find more info here

Camel Valley, Cornwall

This stunning Cornish vineyard was the first in the UK to be awarded a PDO (Protected Designation Origin) from the EU for its Darnibole vineyard, so it really is special and unique. It’s been refined since the 80s, when English wine was dismissed by many… but they are one of the wineries that have blazed a trail for it. Their Cornwall Brut is famous, they produce a range of red, white, and sparkling wines. Different tastings and tours can be booked, from Daily Guides which cover the fascinating fundamentals of winemaking, to the special Grand Tour.

Find more info here

Glyndwr Vineyard, Wales

In the utterly beautiful Vale of Glenmorgan is Wales’ oldest vineyard, Glyndwr Vineyard, family run since 1979. Their production portfolio is expansive, and features wines that have been picked for the Parliament, the Ryder Cup and NATO. The quaint setting would make for a delightful walk even without the vineyard, but the tour is such good value. The owner does the tour, so knows the place inside out, from the history to the vines to the lamas also on site! The reviews speak for themselves – the tour is so informative, personal and generous, and the setting couldn’t be prettier.

Find more info here

Wicklow Wines, Ireland

You might not think of Ireland when you think of wineries, but Wicklow Wines are the exception. They’ve been lauded over by TripAdvisor, Vogue, Lonely Planet and Michelin star restaurants, offering a behind-the-scenes tour of their small, working winery. They make incredible berried wines, which will be tasted alongside Irish cheeses and chocolates. It was even voted the 2nd best food and drink experience in Ireland!

Find more info here

Of course, this is just a taste of some of the best wineries, vineyards and distilleries in the UK and Ireland, but there are more offering fabulous experiences, many of which we visited in previous series of The Three Drinkers! You can find more Scotch Whisky tours here, more Irish Whiskey tours here, and more English wineries here!

The Top 10 UK Cocktail Bars

Who better to answer the question, ‘what is the best cocktail bar in the UK?’ than the Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards. And who better to deliver the good news to the winners than our very own Aidy who hosted the ceremony!

An academy of drinks writers, leading business heads and influencers from all four corners of the UK arrived at this Top 10 as the finest cocktail bars in the country.

The full Top 50 is listed at the bottom of the page so you can see where your nearest amazing drinking spot is, but for now let’s dive in to the Top 10.

10. The Connaught, Mayfair, London

The Connaught Bar is the super sophisticated watering hole of its namesake hotel. Beautifully designed with platinum silver and classy furniture, you can expect to see the trademark martini trolley being ceremoniously wheeled over to a candlelit table, or showstopping ‘multi-dimensional’ cocktails leaving the bar. From mastering classics like the Bloody Mary to adaptations like the Faraway Collins, a twist on a Tom Collins using Star of Bombay gin at the heart of it, the cocktails are classics with modern interpretations and the setting is everything you want from a Mayfair haunt.

Website

9. 🔶🟥🔵 (A Bar with Shapes for a Name), Hackney, London

Without a doubt the most unusually named bar on the list, this is ‘A Bar with Shapes for a Name’, although that isn’t really the name... it’s just the description you would give the bar because the actual sign is three coloured shapes. This Bauhaus style carries over into the unique inside space – functional, minimal and with no bottles on show. Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat designed it this way to reimagine what a bar is and could be. The lack of convention doesn’t end there, because the menu which is a 50/50 split of classics and in-house specials uses blind tasted spirits. The big names are only served if they genuinely taste good enough, which might explain the comparatively reasonable London prices.

Website

8. Speak in Code, Manchester

Part of the flourishing cocktail scene in Manchester, Speak in Code is a relaxed, dimly lit, bare brick/dark wood bar with an imaginative and extensive plant-based menu. The gorgeous Victorian arch welcoming you peaks expectations which are more than met by signatures like Track 13 which uses grape skin vodka and chamomile wine, and Hot Buttered Rum Old Fashioned using fat-washed golden rum, demerara mix and cocao bitters. Keep an eye out for their incredible cocktail gift sets too!

Website

7. Three Sheets, Dalston, London 

Solidifying its No.7 spot from last year, Three Sheets by the Venning Brothers is a gorgeously designed sleek and simple bar with interesting seasonal ingredients. Their carbonated French 75 with Victory Gin, clear lemon, Moscato and orange flower is a stand-out signature serve, along with the Blackcurrant Americano.

Website

6. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

Panda & Sons is the Scottish representative in the Top 10, albeit one in disguise! Stroll past outside and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a barber shop, but this is all part of the prohibition-style false exterior that stylises the inside too – think dim lighting, cabinets of curiosities and vintage furniture. Each ‘chapter’ of the menu offers something different, such as Chapter One’s technical fat washing, clarification and sous vide and Chapter Two’s modern classics. A fantastic speakeasy experience with endless lovely touches.

Website

5. Swift, Soho, London 

Swift on Old Compton Street is no stranger to awards, loved for its mirrored walls, leather booths and expansive range of unique cocktails. The ground floor is casual and lively, but the basement den regularly hosts live music, and offers over 300 worldly whiskies and a rotating cocktail theme – currently ‘Legends’, celebrating much loved great thinkers, artists and performers. Take Only in L.A, for example, an Ab-Fab inspired mix of Absolut Elyx and Martini Rubino.

Website

4. SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester

Topping Manchester’s scene is Schofield’s Bar, named after the bartending brothers who created it. Situated on the corner of art deco beauty Sunlight House, they offer a combination of classic cocktails with in-house stylings paired with some of their favourite books! How about Casino Royale with a Vesper Martini? The Old Man and the Sea alongside a Mojito perhaps? The distinguished old-world venue also offers popcorn and charcuterie boards to snack on so it’s the kind of place you can happily whittle away the evening with everything you need.

Website

3. Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London

The first onto the podium is Tayēr + Elementary, a venue of two halves. ‘Elementary’ offers casual all-day cocktails served at speed thanks to a draught system including Old Fashioned and Aquavit. Seasonal produce-led snacking also features massively in the experience. Through the partition however, ‘Tayēr’ awaits – inviting darkness with unusual and regularly changing exotic cocktails introduced by guest bartenders.

Website

2. Lab 22, Cardiff

Behind a fairly innocuous door between a bakery and a restaurant is last year’s winner, the experimental and eclectically-styled cocktail bar. Pajtim Tani Hasa’s menu in particular has been heavily praised, winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu in 2021’s World’s 50 Best Bars. Science and personality-led, the current ‘Theory + Frontiers’ menu uses locally foraged ingredients to mimic well known flavour profiles. For instance, ‘Concrete Daisy’ uses rooftop honey and ‘Point Nemo’ incudes sea-salt chocolate fish scales. Besides being delicious, every drink is thoughtful and commenting on the world around us.

Website

1. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London 

Back up to top spot is the Bethnal Green icon that is Satan’s Whiskers. It steps out of the swanky London style in favour of unassuming character, with taxidermy, unique décor, hip-hop, and exposed brick. A community cocktail bar of sorts, the offering changes every day but generally you can expect classics with twists, like the Industry Sour with lime, Chartreuse, Fernet Branca and egg white, or food pairings like the Bloody Mary with tacos and quesadilla. Expert mixology and unrivalled atmosphere crown this the deserving winner.

Website

If Gastropubs are more your speed, then the Top 10 breakdown of those was also recently scrutinised and updated to present the best the UK has to offer!

The Top 50:

1 Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London
2 Lab 22, Cardiff
3 Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London
4 SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester
5 Swift, Soho, London
6 Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
7 Three Sheets, Dalston, London
8 Speak in Code, Manchester
9 Bar with Shapes for a Name, Hackney, London
10 The Connaught, Mayfair, London
11 Little Mercies, Crouch End, London
12 Couch, Birmingham
13 Bramble, Edinburgh
14 The Pineapple Club, Birmingham
15 Ojo Rojo, Bournemouth
16 Disrepute, Soho, London
17 Artesian, Oxford Circus, London
18 Hideout, Bath
19 Nightjar, Shoreditch, London
20 Present Company, Liverpool
21 Publiq, South Kensington, London
22 Scarfes Bar, Holborn, London
23 Lyaness, South Bank, London
24 Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum, Chinatown, London
25 The Absent Ear, Glasgow
26 Happiness Forgets, Hoxton, London
27 Hey Palu, Edinburgh
28 Filthy XIII, Bristol
29 Homeboy, Islington, London
30 Soma, Soho, London
31 Coupette, Bethnal Green, London
32 Passing Fancies, Birmingham
33 Bar Termini, Soho, London
34 Seed Library, Shoreditch, London
35 Murder Inc, Soho, London
36 Penny Royal, Cardiff
37 Callooh Callay, Shoreditch, London
38 Silverleaf, Liverpool St, London
39 Public, Sheffield
40 Fox & Chance, Birmingham
41 Blinker, Manchester
42 Below Stairs, Leeds
43 Milk Thistle, Bristol
44 Gungho!, Brighton
45 Hedonist, Leeds
46 Amaro, Kensington, London
47 Cottonmouth, Nottingham
48 Tabula Rasa, Leeds
49 Lunar, Glasgow
50 Bench, Sheffield

Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Words by Colin Hampden-White

It is hard to describe what the new Johnnie Walker experience is on Princes Street in Edinburgh. One word sums it up though, incredible, but why it is incredible takes a little longer.

In essence, it is a full whisky experience, involving, bars, tastings, shops and shows which both entertain and educate in equal measure. There is the use of light, projections, actors and educators, aromas and flavours, and architecture all coming together to create an immersive experience which I certainly won’t forget. I will be coming back with friends and family who want to learn more about Scotch and blended Scotch, but also to convert those who haven’t yet caught the bug.

With all this pizazz, the best bit of the whole experience is that the star of the show is you. From the moment you walk through the door, it is all bout you. Initially, you are asked what flavours you like in your life and the answers build up a picture of the type of whisky you might like. This is where the blending starts and continues throughout the experience. Introducing you to cocktails and highballs and if you would like to, the neat whisky.

It’s not only the whisky and cocktails which are exquisite. The food is fabulous too, with Michelin standards providing refined food to go with the drinks, without the experience being formal. All visitors would be at home in shorts as much as suits.

All the senses are catered for, taste and smell are covered by wonderful drinks and food, but the sights and sounds are wonderful too. Not only the shows along the whisky journey, but the building itself and the views. There are views from the rooftop bar reaching all the way along Princes Street, and from another cocktail bar, a large single pane window offers views across north Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and into Fife.

One of the most initiative decisions the Walkers made was to have a 20° slant to their label to allow for a larger font and logo. This angle is reflected all over the building in subtle ways. Even the stair banisters are at a 20° angle. It is the brilliant attention to detail like this that is so impressive.

This is the new way to experience whisky, it is beyond any other brand experience I have been through, and at the heart of it, it explains whisky in a way that is memorable and fun. It is said that if you tell someone many things, they will remember very few of them. Yet this experience manages to give you so much information in a way that involves the customer on so many levels, meaning one manages to take away a great deal rather than a few small nuggets of information.

Such is the level of enjoyment with this experience, one wouldn’t even have to enjoy whisky to have been happy to have been. But I might suggest you would find it hard not to once you’ve been.

For a more in-depth look at the different Johnnie Walker expressions, have a look at Colin’s article The Many Colours of Johnnie Walker.