Hamish Smith

The tale of the Gin Basil Smash

Clinton Cawood gives us the need-to-know on the neo-classic, the Gin Basil Smash.

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10 September, 2026

Hamish Smith

The bestselling spirits at the UK's best bars

We said it was coming: tequila is now the bestselling spirit in the UK’s Best Bars.

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09 September, 2026

Hamish Smith

Dahlia to soft launch in Manchester this week

Dahlia, a new food, drink and music destination, will open in Manchester’s Northern Quarter later this month, bringing open fire cooking, cocktails and "exceptional sound" together under one roof.

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09 September, 2026

Hamish Smith

50 Best rebrands as The 50

The World's 50 Best lists (Restaurants, Bars, Hotels and Vineyards) have rebranded under the name The 50.

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09 September, 2026

Hamish Smith

The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar to become wine destination

The Beaufort Bar – a former member of The World’s 50 Best Bars - is to transition to the Beaufort Wine Bar this October.

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03 September, 2026

Hamish Smith

Sergio Leanza takes on new GM role

Nine Lives, the tropical dive bar in a Victorian basement in London Bridge, has appointed Sergio Leanza as general manager.

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21 August, 2026

Hamish Smith

Paper Plane to launch in Leeds

The team behind Roland’s, The Domino Club and The Woods is to open Paper Plane in Leeds’ Grand Arcade this October.

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20 August, 2026

Hamish Smith

Tom Kerridge to open hotel bar

Tom Kerridge is to open Georgie’s Bar at Corinthia London on September 5, as part of a revamp of his restaurant Kerridge’s at Corinthia London.

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20 August, 2026

Hamish Smith

Lab 22's Hospitality vs 10K Challenge returns this September

The Lab 22 Hospitality vs 10K Challenge returns this September with a target of raising £10,000 for local children’s charity Dreams & Wishes.

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20 August, 2026

Hamish Smith

The CLASS Report 2026: Scotch

Which scotch whiskies do best at the UK's Best Bars? Hamish Smith investigates.

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07 August, 2026

Hamish Smith

The top syrups, cordials & purees from the BBAs

Hamish Smith was the insider on the syrups, cordials and purees BBAs tasting - he reports back.

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27 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The CLASS Commended: shining a light on venues beyond the shortlists - first up New Bar of the Year

For the first time, we look beyond the top four bars of our CLASS Bar Awards categories, to reveal the many other venues that were voted for - and vouched for - by our panel of 180 nationwide voters. They are called The CLASS Commended.

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26 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The top-ranked non-abv spirits from the BBAs

Hamish Smith reveals the workings of the no-low category at the BBA 2026.

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21 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

World Class Cocktail Festival to take place at The Ned

Diageo has announced that a World Class Cocktail Festival will take place at The Ned in London from 27 May - 7 June, sandwiching the World Class GB final on June 1-3.

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20 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Sotiris Konomi receives Raffles London promotion

Just weeks after taking the coveted crown of Bar Manager of the Year at the CLASS Bar Awards, Sotiris Konomi has been promoted to Beverage Manager of Raffles London at the OWO.

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20 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Rachel Orange takes on new head of operations role

Rachel Orange has joined Liverpool group Glory Days Hospitality as head of operations.

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19 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Bar Arriba to launch at Olympia London

Bar Arriba, a new venue set under the rooftop of Olympia London, is to launch in West London on June 15th.

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18 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The highest ranked mixers in the BBAs 2026

Hamish Smith took the notes during the mixers session and reveals what happened.

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18 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The bartender-approved liqueurs from this year's BBAs

Hamish Smith gives us the run down on the best-scoring liqueurs from the BBAs 2026.

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11 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The best tonic waters from the BBAs

Hamish Smith rounds up the results from our tonic water assessments.

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11 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The World's 50 Best Bars announces 2026 host city

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be unveiled in Milan, Italy in early October.

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11 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

The winners of the CLASS Bar Awards 2026 revealed

CLASS magazine announced its highly anticipated CLASS Bar Awards 2026 tonight (May 6). Having debuted in 2003, the CLASS Bar Awards is the longest-running UK bar industry celebration.

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06 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Review: Bar Posie, Manchester

Dave Marsland is at Bar Posie, one of Manchesters big openings of the last six months.

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05 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Diageo World Class GB's top 10 finalists announced

Diageo World Class GB has chosen its top 10 finalists for 2026.

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04 May, 2026

Hamish Smith

Fortnum & Mason reveals 2026 award winners

The winners of the 14th annual Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards were announced last night at The Royal Exchange in London, with spirits writers prominent among the winners.

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01 May, 2026