Whisky bars can conjure up a sure picture – cabinets of dusty bottles, an intimidatingly good selection for the uninitiated and a roaring log hearth within the nook. An surroundings for the hardcore drinker or whisky connoisseur.
However within the final decade new bars have appeared which can be drastically altering this notion. So, whether or not you merely want to pop in for a fast dram, go for a tutored tasting occasion or study what you want, there’s now one thing for everybody.
We take a look at 9 of one of the best that may be discovered throughout the UK, from conventional to dynamic and groundbreaking.
Black Rock, London
This trendsetting bar in The Metropolis of London is a should go to for any self-respecting whisky fan. They do issues a bit in another way to conventional whisky bars – they record and show whiskies by flavour profile, moderately than location. Select your type and you’ll find a number of Scotch, Irish, American and new world whiskies vying to your consideration in the identical cupboard.
Black Rock’s goal was to help prospects with their decisions, and it was a real recreation changer. Many have adopted swimsuit, arranging their menus in an identical means. In addition they supply a spread of classic cocktails and the chance to mix your individual bottle of whisky below the tutelage of one among their specialists.
9 Christopher Road, London, EC2A 2BS; blackrock.bar
The Bon Accord, Glasgow
On the outskirts of Glasgow metropolis centre is The Bon Accord. This legendary whisky bar has an old-school pub vibe however with a mega number of Scotch out there. Common expressions sit alongside new bottlings and uncommon costly choices, that are all competitively priced. A spotlight is the intensive vary of single casks from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
This wonderful bar has a pleasant welcome and is effectively value the additional stroll out from central Glasgow. The meals is easy fare, however hearty and attractive – pie and mash is an actual winner. The mixture of nice whisky and homely ambiance will make any night slip by within the blink of a watch.
153 North St, Glasgow, G3 7DA; bonaccordpub.com
The Bow Bar, Edinburgh
There are many whisky bars and venues dotted round Scotland’s capital, however few have the appeal, choice and ambiance of The Bow Bar. A thick whisky menu will help you in making your selection of dram, which ranges from the well-known to the quirky indie bottling. That is up to date recurrently to characteristic new releases.
The breadth of their vary and its pricing, particularly contemplating its central touristic location, are each spectacular. The Bow Bar affords an outstanding vary of native craft beers and can also be canine pleasant. In case you are ever within the Grassmarket space of Edinburgh, then you will need to pop in for a dram and benefit from the pleasant vibe.
80 W Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2HH
Grain & Glass, Birmingham
Tucked away in Birmingham’s fashionable Jewelry Quarter is Grain & Glass, the town’s first devoted whisky bar and tasting room. With over 300 whiskies to select from and a number of basic or artistic cocktails on supply, you can be spoilt for selection. A whisky menu and fantastically educated employees will information you in your whisky journey.
Add in a bespoke tasting room and an interactive membership scheme, then founder Amy and her crew have a whisky gold mine on their palms. Not solely that however Grain & Glass additionally run two annual whisky festivals within the metropolis: Whisky Birmingham and the Impartial Whisky Market, the UK’s first whisky competition devoted solely to unbiased bottlers.
75-80 Vyse St, Birmingham, B18 6HA; grainandglass.co
The Highlander Inn, Craigellachie
You will discover many examples of the basic ‘whisky pub’ dotted round rural Scotland, however few are higher than The Highlander Inn within the Speyside village of Craigellachie. Situated only a brief distance from the Speyside Approach strolling path and the village’s distillery, this pub affords the warmest of welcomes.
The multi award-winning bar has an intensive number of Scotch whiskies and one of many largest collections of Japanese whisky within the UK. This has been collated by proprietor Tatsuya, who fell in love with the Highlander Inn whereas working for a whisky brand from his native Japan. He later went on to purchase The Highlander and the remaining is historical past.
10 Victoria St, Craigellachie, Aberlour, AB38 9SR; whiskyinn.com
The Malt Room, Inverness
The Malt Room is the epitome of the trendy whisky bar: achingly cool, compact, an awesome whisky choice, slick furnishings and completed to excessive commonplace. It’s the kind of bar that Inverness, which is surrounded by a number of distilleries and boasts the Speyside area on its doorstep, had been crying out for years.
A tasting room can also be out there upstairs which hosts tutored and brand-led occasions and musical whisky gigs. Add in a great mixture of basic whisky cocktails, native craft beers and a artistic set of whisky flights and The Malt Room is a spot to not be missed when within the space. An actual Highland hotspot.
34 Church St, Inverness, IV1 1EH; themaltroom.co.uk
The Pot Nonetheless, Glasgow
If you would like an archetypal old-school whisky bar, then The Pot Nonetheless is it. The place is a Glasgow establishment and recognized the world over amongst whisky followers, lots of whom make their pilgrimage to it when in Scotland. The number of Scotch whiskies is huge, reaching as much as the ceiling – ladders are used to achieve them – and it all the time appears to have a buzz about it.
The bar actually oozes whisky from its pores and the useful employees will help you along with your choice from the huge array. Whisky is the main target, however they do additionally supply a easy but nice Scotch pie. This award-winning bar is usually packed however to not be missed when in Glasgow. Merely stroll up Hope Road from Central station and you can’t miss it.
154 Hope St, Glasgow, G2 2TH; thepotstill.co.uk
Horny Fish, London
Like Japanese Whisky? Then it is advisable to go to Horny Fish in Mayfair. The central London bar boasts the world’s largest assortment of Japanese whiskies, which could be sampled by the dram or as a part of a basic or up to date cocktail. Add in a Japanese- and Asian-inspired menu and sushi bar, and you might be in for the final word whisky-related deal with.
Horny Fish is fashionable and extremely designed with an air of mid-century opulence, that includes artworks by Frank Gehry and Damien Hurst amongst others. For that additional special day you possibly can rent The Coral Reef Room, house to 2 of the biggest residing coral tanks on this planet. Order your whisky, sit again, and benefit from the luxurious atmosphere.
Berkeley Sq. Home, Berkeley Sq., London, W1J 6BR; sexyfish.com
The Toucan, London
At road degree, London’s The Toucan bar doesn’t appear like a lot. However head down the steps to the precise of the doorway and you might be in one of many capital’s true hidden gems. There you’ll find a real homage to Irish whiskey. The quirky basement bar has over 300 whiskeys from the Emerald Isle with every little thing from massive on a regular basis names to the extremely uncommon and collectable.
The Toucan, named after the chicken utilized in previous Guinness promoting, is bijou and decked out with memorabilia from the model’s iconic advertising and marketing previous. It has a retro appeal and there’s nowhere fairly prefer it. In addition they pour top-of-the-line pints of the black stuff you’ll find in London. A spot to take a seat, sip and savour.
19 Carlisle St, London, W1D 3BY; thetoucansoho.co.uk
