The Best Casino Bars in the UK

Sometimes, when you go out for a drink, you want a little bit of extra entertainment - a few more thrills and a bit more entertainment. And the good news is that there are lots of great options for us in the UK. There are plenty of excellent casinos and many of these not only offer serious gaming excitement but also sophisticated (and alcohol-fuelled) social experiences. 

Some of the best casinos are known just as much for their bars as their slots… offering everything from bespoke cocktails to pints of beer, and champagne on tap - all with a background of elegance. 

So, if you’re after the perfect combination of gaming and drinking, then here are some of the best casino bars in the UK worth a visit.

The Bar at The Hippodrome Casino, London

Obviously, we have to start off with the Hippodrome and its stunning bar. If you’re a little bit bored of online casinos - and all the games and no wagering games you find here, then why not play for real, at one of the most iconic casinos in the world - with a bar to match? 

Found right in the heart of London’s West End, The Hippodrome Casino is legendary - and its bar is a major highlight with its luxury and energy. The cocktail menu is filled with expertly crafted drinks, from classic martinis to the more innovative creations. Sit back in plush seating and take in the vibe as you unwind after a night at the tables - and enjoy a drink with your friends. You might even be treated to a bit of live music to make it even more memorable.

Sky Bar at Aspers Casino, Stratford

Next, we have the Sky Bar at Aspers Casino in Westfield Stratford City - which is a must-visit if you’re looking for a high-end casino bar experience. This is a stylish bar that comes with incredible views of London - the absolute perfect backdrop for your night out. 

More importantly, the drinks menu is top-class - with an impressive selection of wines, champagnes, and cocktails, so there’s literally something for every taste, no matter how eclectic. With its chic décor and elite atmosphere, this makes the perfect night out whether you’re just a casual visitor or a casino connoisseur.

Genting Club Sheffield’s Late Bar

If you don’t live anywhere near London - and you’re a bit further up north, then fear not. You won’t be left wanting. The Genting Club Sheffield’s Late Bar is an absolute hidden gem. You can sit in a bar that manages to offer a relaxed yet impressively refined atmosphere, perfect whether you’re catching up with friends or just want to enjoy a post-game drink. 

Known for having a superb drinks menu - including craft beers, spirits, and plenty of classic cocktails, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Victoria Gate Casino’s Curve Bar, Leeds

Next, we have Victoria Gate Casino in Leeds… which is referred to by many as the ‘Super Casino of the North,’ and its Curve Bar more than lives up to this reputation. The bar has a modern design - and that, combined with its impressive drinks list, makes for a very sophisticated environment. 

Whether you’re in the mood for a nice, refreshing G&T or a more refined and curated whiskey, it has it all. Its central location within the casino also means you’re never far from the action, making it a great spot to take a break and recharge.

The Grosvenor Casino Bar, Birmingham Broad Street

Then, finally, we have the Grosvenor Casino on Broad Street in Birmingham - which is the perfect Midland casino night out. The casino is great, obviously - and the bar is every bit as good, filled with energy!

The space looks sleek and stunning… and there’s a huge range of drinks to suit all tastes and preferences. From craft beers and fine wines to lip-smacking signature cocktails, there’s literally something for everyone. What’s more, because there are large screens that show live sports, you can just sit back and watch the action play out in front of you.

So - want a night of delicious drinks and good gaming? These are the top places to go for an evening of entertainment!

Sencha Tea Sour

As made by Aidy in The Bring a Bottle Podcast Episode 46 this fancy cocktail has some slightly more unusual ingredients but it’s a doddle to make and tastes divine! Cheers!

Ingredients

45ml Glenturret 10YO Peated
45ml Sencha summer fruit tea (fancy kind of sencha tea)
25ml Red Verjus (pressed juice of unripened grapes)
15ml Lime syrup
20ml Egg white

Method

Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and give it a dry shake (a shake with no ice) before then carefully adding ice to give it a wet shake. Strain into a champagne flute and enjoy!

Liked this? Then you may also like The Crabbie’s Colada or The Jura Sunset!

The Marmalade Sour

Words by Aidy Smith

If you’re anything like me, marmalade goes on pretty much everything, even a cocktail! Interestingly, the tartness, sweetness and orange punch work hand in hand with gin, so perhaps this is a new alternative to the breakfast martini?!

Ingredients:

60ml Quality Gin (we recommend Highclere Castle Gin)
15ml Lemon Juice
4 teaspoons of Quality Marmalade

Method:

Pop all of the ingredients into a shaker and stir to combine the marmalade with the liquid. Pop in your ice, shake and fine strain into a glass (we strain to avoid lumps of marmalade in the glass). Et voila!

Find Highclere Castle Gin here: UK £38.07 // US $39.99

HAVANA CLUB BAR ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: The Winners

Last week, we were excited to watch the winners being crowned at the 2020 Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur Awards; a competition that recognises the passion, entrepreneurship and this year particularly, the resilience and determination of the people behind the world’s most revolutionary bars. A respected panel of judges crowned one overall winner and three other category winners from a shortlist of thirteen finalists. 

Here are the winners of this year’s Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur Awards. Remember their names - you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the future!

Overall Winner: Oliver Margan

Meet Oliver Margan, overall winner of the 2020 Bar Entrepreneur awards. Having founded cocktail bar Maybe Mae six years ago, in the heart of Adelaide’s west end, at the tender age of twenty two, Oliver has been credited for establishing the city’s cocktail culture, with six new bar openings under his belt. What impressed the judges the most was his unfailing optimism and entrepreneurial spirit, which sits alongside his highly regarded skills behind the bar, a focus on sustainably sourced cocktail ingredients and his support for gender equality within the industry. Oliver was awarded with a €20,000 cash prize to invest in his business. 

Other Category Winners

As well as crowing an overall winner, Havana Club awarded €10,000 each to three other candidates who showed determination and passion in three other categories: The True Grit Award, which honours strength, resilience and bravery during the most challenging period of modern-day hospitality; One to Watch, which focuses on emerging talent and the achievements of those under the age of 30 and Social & Eco Entrepreneurship, which recognises a commitment to improving the environment or a local community, while achieving business success.

Winner: True Grit - Rani Al Raji

This year’s True Grit award was presented to Rani Al Raji, owner of Beirut’s Brazzaville; a neighbourhood bar that has continued to serve the community and remain a hub of positivity through the challenges of 2020 including the pandemic and Beirut’s horrific explosion. Rani’s team did what they could not just to survive, but to thrive despite the shortages and the struggles seen in the country’s capital. 

 Winner: Social and Eco Entrepreneurship: - Yeferson Avila and Jean Trinh

Columbia’s Yeferson Avila and Jean Trinh, co-owners of Alquímico Farm in Cartagena, were awarded with the Social and Eco Entrepreneurship prize for their commitment to keeping their staff, small producers and local farmers in business despite the pressures of the pandemic. While having to close their popular, three-story mansion bar, Yeferson and Jean instead put their team to work at the Alquímico Farm where they grow organic produce to use in their cocktail programme. The farm has since become an educational space for the local agricultural community and professionals from the drinks industry who want to learn more about vegetables, fruits and spices from planting to harvest.

Winner: One to Watch - Omer Gazit-Shalev

Omer is a clear rising star in the global bar community. He managed to impress the judges with the variety and diversity of projects he has taken on despite his young age. As the CEO of Monkey Business, a unique style of hospitality group, he and his teams manage several of Israel’s most famous food and drink venues and are being credited with redefining the country’s bar experience in general.

The Judges

The judges for this competition are all key figures in the global drinks and business industries:

• Rhys Oldfield: co-founder of Be at One and a leading adviser to food and drink businesses.

• Juan Valls: owner of El Nino, Sinner Club and key figure behind Spain’s FIBAR.

• Vijay Mudaliar: founder of Native Bar in Singapore and its concept to explore local culture through the lens of drinks.

• Ara Carvallo: co-founder of Barra Mexico, the world’s first zero carbon bar trade show and Latin America’s key spirits trade show.

• Kelsey Ramage: winner of the One to Watch category in 2019 and owner of Trash Tiki, which focuses on creating cocktails from waste.

• Tess Posthumus: successful business entrepreneur and owner of the Netherlands’ leading bars, Flying Dutchman and Dutch Courage in Amsterdam.

• Cécile Bulle: business educator who leads a mentoring programme helping students and alumni from Paris Dauphine University establish their business.

• Rasmus Lomborg: bartender, bar manager and entrepreneur who has opened multiple bars across the UK and Europe.

The winners were announced during a virtual ceremony presented by leading global rum ambassador Ian Burrell and featured a showstopping live concert from international rapper Kelvyn Colt.

To find out more about the awards and the winners check out @havanaclub_pro on Instagram, use the hashtag #BEA2020 or read more here

Saucy Gin Cocktails Perfect for Romantic Nights

Whether you’re zooming with friends or having a romantic night à deux this Valentine’s Day, these pink and pretty gin creations are the perfect way to start the evening. Created by our friends at The Cotswolds Distillery, here are three delicious, easy-to-make cocktail suggestions for you to enjoy on Valentine’s night in the comfort of your own home. Let us know which one you go for! 

The Hanky Panky

This is The Cotswolds Distillery’s take on the classic cocktail, initially created by Ada Coleman who was the first female head bartender of the Savoy, in the early 1900s. It’s incredibly complex with botanical flavours of pine, juniper, vanilla, earthy herbs, smoky spice and a touch of citrus freshness. 

Ingredients:
45ml Dry Gin
45m Vermouth
10ml Freshly squeezed orange juice
5ml Amaro (try Cotswolds Whisky Amaro Liqueur No.2)
Garnish: Orange peel twist

Method:
Place all of the ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and fine strain into a chilled martini glass. 

The Cherry Love 

A tangy, sweet and citrusy cocktail with ripe cherry flavours that lift the dark fruits and smoky char from the whisky, finishing with a light silky spice. Complex and indulgent!

Ingredients:
50ml Single Malt Whisky
30ml Pink grapefruit
15ml Cherry syrup
15ml Egg white or aquafaba

Method:
Place all of the ingredients into a shaker and dry shake (without ice). Add ice, shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with grated dark chocolate and a Maraschino cherry.

The Cotswolds Wild Passion Spritz 

An incredibly refreshing, deliciously fruity and effervescent cocktail,  bursting with sweet orange and tart citrus.

Ingredients:
50ml Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin
25ml Lemon juice
15ml Passion fruit syrup
Top up with champagne or soda
Garnish: Passion fruit

Method:
Place all of the ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain over ice into a gin glass. Top up with champagne or soda and stir and garnish with passion fruit.

Try these:
Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky (ABV: 46%) UK £37.73 // US $61.79
Cotswolds Dry Gin (ABV: 46%) UK £32 // US $46.79
Cotswolds No 1 Wildflower Gin (ABV 41.7%) £34.95
Cotswolds Amaro No 2 (ABV 40%) £34.95
Cotswolds Vermouth (ABV 16%) £23.95

Holiday Spritz Cocktail

 Ingredients:
25ml Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
120ml Champagne
1 Sugar Cube
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

 Method
Soak the sugar cube in bitters, drop into the glass, add cognac and top with Champagne. Finally, garnish with a lemon swathe. Glass: Coupe.

Fancy trying your hand at some more cocktails? Then, make sure you check out our White Russian and Apple Pie cocktails. If you don’t fancy making your own here are some must-try delicious pre-made cocktails.

Apple Pie Cocktail

It’s getting around to one of our favourite times of the year! Fresh, Autumnal air, walks with the leaves crunching under your feet, a warm fire when you get home… oh, and a yummy apple pie cocktail to celebrate the season! Here’s how you can make yours… you’re welcome ;)

Ingredients

60ml Premium vodka
60ml Glen Moray Scotch whisky, sherry cask finish: ‘Elgin Classic’
230ml fresh apple cider or apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional rim:
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Honey

Method

1. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and place it on a shallow plate.

2. Rim 2 glasses with honey and dip them into the mixture.

3. Fill the glasses with ice.

4. Combine the vodka, whisky, and apple cider in a shaker and mix well.

5. Divide between the two glasses.

6. Garnish with sliced apples and a cinnamon stick if desired.

If you like the sound of this don’t forget to check out our Clover Club and The Daiquiri cocktail recipes too!

The Daiquiri

Often misunderstood as an overly sweet, alcoholic slushy, when made well, a Daiquiri is quite literally a simple stunner that really should be given a second chance.

Ingredients

2oz rum (we recommend Havana Club 3 year old rum)
1oz lime syrup
¾ oz sugar syrup*
garnish lime twist
*N.B. this cocktail will work with strawberry / banana syrup also

Method

1. Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.

2. Shake well.

3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add the garnish.

Check out Aidy’s short history of the Daiquiri in episode 20 of our podcast here and if you are a fan of a good cocktail don’t forget to check out our White Russian and Clover Club recipes too.