Thoughts

Kate Nicholls: Hospitality’s licensing sprint

UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls explains how the organisation is working with government to break the red tape ties that bind bars’ potential.

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02 July, 2025

Thoughts

Analysis: what are bar brands?

Off the back of the CLASS Report 2025, Hamish Smith looks at what makes a brand do well among's the UK's best bars.

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18 June, 2025

Thoughts

How bartenders can communicate better

So much of bartending depends on good communication. Nicolas Medicamento, aka Doctor Cocktail, talks us through his top tips for effective engagement.

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15 May, 2025

Thoughts

Jake O'Brien Murphy reopens the cold case: blended vs slushy drinks

Frozen drinks have a long history but there’s a sweet spot in the science that takes them to another level. Jake O'Brien Murphy gets into the specifics.

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22 April, 2025

Thoughts

Katie Rouse on why bartenders shouldn't gatekeep their creativity

Couch owner Katie Rouse urges bartenders to share their creative processes for the good of the whole community.

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17 April, 2025

Thoughts

Monica Berg on the importance of saying no

It’s all too easy to agree to undertake any tasks that are asked of you as a way of furthering your career. But Monica Berg points out the pitfalls of such a broadblanket approach.

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15 April, 2025

Thoughts

Savoury drinks - how New York and London's cocktails diverged

Kevin Armstrong has returned from New York. In its new-found penchant for savoury drinks it has diverged from London – and convention, he says

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10 April, 2025

Thoughts

Comment: Why celebrity endorsement is the lowest form of marketing

To Hamish Smith, nothing falls flatter than the patter of a celebrity selling a brand. If there is endorsement, let it be from bartenders, he says.

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03 April, 2025

Thoughts

CLASS Bar Awards 2025 finalists revealed

CLASS is delighted to announce the finalists of the CLASS Bar Awards, ahead of the 2025 ceremony at Battersea Arts Centre in London on May 21st.

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26 March, 2025

Thoughts

How and why sweat equity works

Edmund Weil outlines the benefits of employee partnership in a bar business.

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20 February, 2025

Thoughts

Iain McPherson on why bartenders should never stop learning

Education doesn't stop at the education system – bartenders should keep learning or stand still, says Iain McPherson.

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04 February, 2025

Thoughts

Bar terroir - why do bars so rarely have a sense of place?

Why are cocktail bars so drawn to a catch-all, international drinks offering, when they could represent something unique - a showcase of place, says Hamish Smith.

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19 December, 2024

Thoughts

Are cocktails too expensive?

Marcis Dzelzainis talks through the cost breakdown and offers some suggestions on how not to price yourself out of the market.

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10 January, 2025

Thoughts

Review: Atomeca Spinningfields, Manchester

Dave Marlsand visits Atomoca the sequel - this time in Manchester's Spinningfields.

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16 January, 2025

Thoughts

How to make Natillas Manhattan, winner of Hacha's Mezcal Cocktail Competition

Sweet, citrus, complex

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16 January, 2025

Thoughts

Why do cocktails look the same?

Kevin Armstrong, asks whether bars have run out of ideas when it comes to how their serves appear.

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07 January, 2025

Thoughts

Kate Nicholls on the financial forecast for 2025

UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls outlines the hard truths about the financial difficulties the Budget has delivered to the industry.

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19 December, 2024

Thoughts

Jake O'Brien Murphy on cold weather, hot drinks

Jake O'Brien Murphy delivers his verdict on the steaming seasonal favourites.

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19 December, 2024

Thoughts

The unexpected joy of Martini and fries

John Ennis has found his perfect combination - have you tried a Martini and fries?

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12 December, 2024

Thoughts

How drinks balance changes market by market

There’s probably no one better than Nico de Soto to explain how cocktail tastes change market by market. When bartending abroad, you have to tailor your drinks to your audience, he says.

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21 November, 2024

Thoughts

My Martini - Jake O'Brien Murphy on the enduring classic

There’s one cocktail that Jake O'Brien Murphy is deeply passionate about – and it’s personal.

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07 November, 2024

Thoughts

Anna Sebastian: community groups need to join forces

Anna Sebastian says cause-led communities and action groups should find new and creative ways to work together.

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28 October, 2024

Thoughts

Sophie Bratt on why hospitality is the greatest show

Sophie Bratt, the Class Bar Awards Bar Manager of the Year and bar manager at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, loves show-stopping drinks, but says we need to be focused on the whole performance.

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28 October, 2024

Thoughts

Iain McPherson: Why we should all think globally

Iain McPherson presses home the importance of growing a bartending community and explains how to build your network.

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25 October, 2024

Thoughts

Europe's back door - how to recruit from the EU

Although neither speedy nor cheap, there are still ways to recruit talented staff from the EU. Edmund Weil offers some pointers and outlines the positives of doing so.

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22 October, 2024

Thoughts

Monica Berg: Re-thinking our relationship with ingredients

A recent study shows an alarming number of plants have become extinct – and humans have had a big hand in this. Monica Berg says we need to have better connections with our precious ingredients.

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21 October, 2024

Thoughts

World Mental Health Day: Learning from a tragedy

When mental health issues threaten to overwhelm, there are people and places who can help - and the death of Craig Scott has highlighted that the community needs to work together to support each other. Blythe Robertson reports ahead of World Mental Heath Day on Thursday 10th October.

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08 October, 2024

Thoughts

World Mental Health Day: How bartenders can manage stress

Not all stress is bad for us, but when it is negative, there are ways to combat its effects, says Merly Kammerling, writing ahead of World Mental Heath Day on Thursday 10th October.

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08 October, 2024

Thoughts

Kate Nicholls: How tipping legislation is changing

UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls updates us with news on tipping legislation and work undertaken on international recruitment.

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10 October, 2024

Thoughts

Giulia Cuccurullo: how to make drinks that tell stories

Giulia Cuccurullo, head bartender at Artesian, says making memorable drinks is about telling stories.

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30 September, 2024