Hamish Smith

Government called on to widen rates relief and provide clarity over bars’ eligibility

UK Hospitality has called on the Government to broaden its relief package for pubs and music venues to the wider hospitality industry.

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28 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Are you the UK bar industry's Front of House Star?

The Class Bar Awards' Front of House Star award is open for entries.

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27 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Katie Rouse launches Couch Surf Series

Katie Rouse of Birmingham’s Couch has launched a collaboration series that will see her partnering with like-minded, community-forward bars from around the world.

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22 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

BCB London announces dates and new director of education

BCB London will return to Tobacco Dock on 11 to 12 May 2026 for the second edition of the trade show.

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22 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Hospitality sheds almost 9,000 jobs in December

The Office for National Statistics has revealed that hospitality employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025, compared to November 2025, while the workforce was down 20,000 when compared to September 2025.

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20 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Are you the Emerging Bartender of the Year for 2026?

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19 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Marco Canova and Tom Dyer publish 500-page tome on flair bartending

Flair bartenders Marco Canova and Tom Dyer will publish what they describe as “the definitive book” on flair bartending on January 19.

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16 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Maura Milia returns to London for new GM role

Maura Lawrence Milia has joined Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood as general manager, joining director of bars Liana Oster.

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15 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Are dessert cocktails the new dessert?

Hamish Smith wonders if the dessert menu is increasingly a growth opportunity for cocktails.

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12 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

New Ukrainian bar in London to serve cocktails made with 1200°C iron poker

Ukrainian operators Artem Skapenko and Alex Kostenyuk are to open a new two-level cocktail venue promising inventive techniques and visual flare on Old Street this March, with Igor Brovko – formerly of Tayēr + Elementary – joining as their head bartender.

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08 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Rachel Orange to depart Schofield’s after five years

Rachel Orange, who led Schofield’s Bar in Manchester alongside Joe and Daniel Schofield, is to leave the bar later this month.

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08 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Josh Linfitt to leave Schweppes role

Josh Linfitt will leave his role as Schweppes prestige ambassador GB at the end of this month, he has announced.

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07 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Head bartender Angelo Sparvoli to leave American Bar at The Savoy

Angelo Sparvoli will leave his role as head bartender of the American Bar at The Savoy next week, CLASS can reveal.

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07 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

The 10 most-read stories on CLASS in 2025

From major bar launches in Liverpool to cocktail culture debates and high-profile closures, these were the stories that captured the attention of the UK bar industry on Classbarmag.com this year.

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07 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Now open for entries, the CLASS Bar Awards 2026 announces revamped categories

Entries are now open for the new, revamped submission-based CLASS Bar Awards.

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06 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Review: Experimental Cocktail Club, London

Hamish Smith revisits a revamped classic of the London cocktail bar scene.

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05 January, 2026

Hamish Smith

Stick together - Bar Glue on community and a more cohesive industry

The trio behind the Class Bar Awards New Bar of the Year chart Bar Glue’s rapid ascent. Hamish Smith took notes.

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16 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

The big review: The Martini Bar at Hawksmoor St Pancras

Hamish Smith visits a bar with all the trappings of a five-star hotel bar - without the unhappy ending.

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17 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

CLASS Winter 2025 launches

Editor Hamish Smith introduces the latest magazine. Access the digital magazine here. Not subscribed? Bartenders can sign up for a digital or hard copy here.

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15 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

Q&A: Pippa Guy and Seb Fileccia share more on their new Bristol bar

Hamish Smith catches up with former Savoy bartender Pippa Guy (now of Diageo) and ex-Milk Thistle GM Seb Fileccia about a new Bristol venue.

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17 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

Rhum Tavern to host Christmas for bartenders

Rhum Tavern will host Christmas Day for bartenders based in London, living away from friends and family.

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16 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

Funkidory in Peckam Rye to close

Neighbourhood bar Funkidory in Peckham Rye is to close, after its owners Sergio Leanza and Anna Fairhead-Benitez announced it was London’s latest hospitality casualty.

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11 December, 2025

Hamish Smith

Champagne bar opens in Manchester

Manchester saw the launch of Portfolio yesterday, a ‘champagne boutique’ built around a collection of more than 250 champagnes, including rare grower bottles and vintage prestige cuvées.

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10 December, 2025