Hamish Smith

Hamish Smith

Sign up to our CLASSROOM on the history of drinks with Anistatia Miller, Jared Brown & Schweppes

Bartenders can sign up free to the latest CLASSROOM event - Born Social - hosted by Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown, sponsored by Schweppes.

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23 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

International spotlight: CLASS explores Zest in Seoul

South Korean bar Zest has quickly built an international reputation, debuting in The World’s 50 Best Bars in October. Hamish Smith learns all about the bar from its co-founder, Demie Kim.

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22 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

The Ada Coleman Project goes live

The Ada Coleman Project, a dedicated digital space for women, has launched.

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20 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

The World's 50 Best Bars announces ceremony location and date

The World’s 50 Best Bars is headed to Madrid in Spain to reveal this year’s list on Tuesday 22nd October.

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16 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Inside Liverpool's Sister Ray

We take a look inside Chris Edwards' new bar Sister Ray, a “laid back European cafe culture” with “New York bar scene vibes”.

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14 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Mike Aikman and Jason Scott relaunch Lucky Liqueurs range

Mike Aikman, Jason Scott and the team behind Edinburgh bars Bramble, Lucky Liquor and The Last Word, have relaunched their Lucky Liqueurs range.

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13 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Martin Siska to leave Scarfes Bar

Martin Siska is to leave Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London after eight years at the Holborn-based hotel bar.

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13 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Hey Palu owners launch agave spirits bar

The owners of Hey Palu in Edinburgh, Alex and Rachel Bailey Palumbo, have opened an agaveria in the Scottish capital's neighbourhood of Leith.

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09 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best Scotch and Irish whiskies from the BBAs 2024

This week in our serialisation of the BBAs results is our Scotch and Irish session.

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07 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Angus Winchester leaves the Dark Horse and Crying Wolf

Angus Winchester has left Wild West Group, which owns the Dark Horse Bar in Bath and Crying Wolf in Bristol, having spent two years with the group as as director of drinks & people, focussing on training and its beverage programme.

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01 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

19 UK bars awarded pins in first Pinnacle Guide list

The Pinnacle Guide has launched its inaugural list, with 19 UK bars - more than half of those recognised - awarded 'Pins'.

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01 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

Grey Goose releases new vodka

Grey Goose has announced the launch of Altius, a limited-edition vodka produced with Alpine spring water and winter wheat and filtered at sub-freezing temperatures.

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01 May, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best world whiskies from the BBAs 2024

The BBAs world whisky category takes in all whiskies outside of American, Irish and Scotch - here's the top 5 from the session.

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30 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Chris Edwards to launch Sister Ray in Liverpool

Hospitality operator Chris Edwards will launch café bar Sister Ray in Liverpool this May, promising to marry “laid back European cafe culture” with “New York bar scene vibes”.

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29 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Sushisamba opens Samba Room lounge bar

Sushisamba in the City of London has opened Samba Room, a new 39th-floor cocktail lounge bar.

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29 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best non-abv spirits from the BBAs 2024

The non-abv spirits category is burgeoning. These were the big winners in the BBAs 2024.

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25 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Callooh Callay launches nostalgia-themed menu

Cocktail bar Callooh Callay has launched McMenu, a drinks list designed to take guests on a nostalgic trip through the lens of well-known food and drink brands.

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24 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best liqueurs from the BBAs 2024

This week's instalment of the Bartenders' Brand Awards is the liqueurs category.

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23 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best tonics from the BBAs 2024

In today's instalment of the BBAs, we narrow in on the tonic session.

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19 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

London, Birmingham and Edinburgh star at the CLASS Bar Awards 2024

Satan’s Whiskers took the title of Best Bar in the UK sponsored by The Lost Explorer at the CLASS Bar Awards 2024, which took place last night at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

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15 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Plans for Schofield’s London revealed

Joe and Daniel Schofield have begun the process of rolling out the Schofield's Bar brand, with plans afoot for a sequel venue in London, CLASS can exclusively reveal.

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15 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

KOL Mezcaleria to unveil new range of house agave spirits

KOL Mezcaleria will next week unveil a new series of bottlings that explores little-known artisanal Mexican spirits.

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12 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Review: Twice Shy, London

Earlier this year Hamish Smith dropped by Elon Soddu's second London venue: Twice Shy.

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09 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best mixers from the BBAs 2024

Today in our BBAs highlights comes mixers, syrups and soft drinks.

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08 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

What’s on? Insider tips for the Edinburgh Bar Show

As media partner to the Edinburgh Bar Show, CLASS has asked its founders Iain McPherson, Jamie Faulds and Gary Anderson for their highlights of the inaugural three-day event (April 8-10).

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04 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Scarfes pivots to classical approach in new menu: From Scratch

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London has shifted its emphasis from playful signatures to a more classical approach in its latest menu: From Scratch.

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04 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The Natural Philosopher to celebrate tenth birthday

Josh Powell’s Natural Philosopher will mark its tenth birthday this month with a party that celebrates the best cocktails of the East London bar’s decade in business.

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03 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best agave spirits from the BBAs 2024

Today's instalment of the Bartenders' Brand Awards sees the highlights of our agave spirits session.

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03 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

Iain McPherson on the all-new Edinburgh Bar Show

Hamish Smith catches up with Iain McPherson on the all-new Edinburgh Bar Show, which takes place 8-10 April

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02 April, 2024

Hamish Smith

The best gins from the BBAs 2024

In today's BBAs highlights we feature the best of our gin session.

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28 March, 2024