We all know how impressive the Leeds bar scene is, with mixologists in the city creating unreal concoctions to knock your socks off (or knock you off your stool), but we now have even greater confirmation just how brilliant the city’s cocktail bars are. Announcing the winners on February 1, Top 50 Cocktail Bars revealed a number of Leeds cocktail bars had made the cut as some of the best in the UK.
According to the Top 50 Cocktail Bars, the list is compiled by the bar industry, making it a unique list of venues those in the know like to visit. The organisers recruit over 100 industry experts which make up the voting academy, from bartenders and owners, to drinks writers and influencers in order to curate an extra special list which has something for every type of drinker.
Despite the list mainly being dominated by London bars, popular Leeds haunt, Jake’s Bar & Still Room, managed to knock a few of the capital’s bars down a peg or two by coming in at 24th place. Operators of the only working copper pot still in Leeds, this bar creates an abundance of their own shrubs, liqueurs, and bitters, and are constantly ahead of the local cocktail curve.
The awards team also mentioned that “Jake’s Bar in Leeds pretty much has everything a discerning cocktail drinker will ever need in the city”. Located on Call Lane, the bar currently features its 14th edition cocktail menu with “some exciting and interesting flavour combinations”.
Jake’s Bar & Still Room was shortly followed by another Call Lane bar, Roland’s, who came 32nd in the list. Top 50 Cocktail Bars described Roland’s as “trendy, yet welcoming” and “a stunning venue designed to ensure guests can consume the best serves in stunning surroundings.”
With four Leeds bar in the top 50 line-up, the city has represented the North well and bars that also made the list included Below Stairs and The Hedonist. Some notable serves by Below Stairs according to the top 50 list included a tomato vine wine made using tomato infused Grape Skin Vodka, apple aperitif, lapsang souchong, muscovado, coffee and coconut liqueur, hickory smoke and popping corn.
The Hedonist originally launched as a pop up in 2015 and has grown from strength to strength. Plus, you can enjoy an indulgent champagne afternoon tea on a Saturday consisting of bubbles and champagne cocktails in what the bar describes as “the Knightsbridge of the North.”
For the full list head to the Top 50 Cocktail Bars website here.