Cocktails & Bars
Cocktails & Bars
Zdenek Kastanek on ridding the world of single-use spirits packaging
A spirits distribution system that lowers waste and carbon emissions has been launched in the UK. Zdenek Kastanek speaks to Hamish Smith about Ecospirits and its war on single-use packaging.
—25 November, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Bar review: Junior Jackson's
Does the idea of an American dive bar work outside of its homeland? Hamish Smith reviews Junior Jackson’s in Manchester
—23 November, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Garden to glass: Rosehip drinks
One of winter's wonders, the rosehip is a versatile addition to any home kitchen and bar. Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown reveal some of their favourite uses for this flavoursome fruit.
—18 November, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Sly Augustin on the ruin and resurrection of Trailer Happiness
Trailer Happiness was struck by a freak weather event this summer, just days before the pandemic restrictions ended. Sly Augustin talks to Hamish Smith about bad luck that is starting to turn good.
—16 November, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Golden oldie: the tale of the Champagne Cocktail
Jane Ryan hits the history books again to determine the origins of probably the oldest classic cocktail known to the world.
—28 October, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Cherry picking flavour - how to think seasonally
Monica Berg looks at how to get the most out of seasonal ingredients by concentrating on flavour rather than locality.
—14 October, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Smashing pumpkins: seasonal drinks in October
Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown share some suggestions for jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon to make the most of this perennial seasonal favourite.
—11 October, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
An interview with the American Bar's Shannon Tebay
The American Bar’s new head bartender is only the second woman – and the first American – to hold the post. Hamish Smith catches up with her ambitions for the historic site.
—29 September, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Bar review: Skylight Peckham
After an 18-month absence, Class' reviews are back. First up, Hamish Smith charts the rise - and democratisation - of the high-rise bar.
—27 September, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Anna Sebastian on creating a new hospitality culture
Anna Sebastian was one of many to leave operations this year. She reflects on what needs to change, if not for the current generation of hospitality workers, for those of the future.
—22 September, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Garden to Glass: recipes for autumn berries and apples
Autumn’s bounty yields many opportunities to add new twists to old favourites. Anistatia Miller & Jared Brown are out in their garden among nature’s finest.
—07 September, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Artichokes, hazelnuts, walnuts...the best ingredients for Autumnal liqueurs
Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown make the most of an overabundance of nuts and artichokes with homemade versions of some classics.
—02 September, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Could insects be the next new flavour frontier?
Professor Charles Spence thinks cocktail entomophagy could be a thing, if it means harnessing new flavours.
—05 August, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Speed, consistency and profitability: the ever-strengthening case for draught cocktails
Draught cocktails are a great way to maximise speed and spend per head, says Sian Buchan, co- owner of Uno Mas in Edinburgh.
—26 July, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Garden to Glass: making drinks with melon
Anistasia Miller and Jared Brown capture the sunshine flavours of melons with some innovative takes on this seasonal fruit favourite.
—26 July, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Floreria Atlantico's Tato Giovannoni on his new London bar
Tato Giovannoni is one of South America’s most decorated bar operators. Hamish Smith caught up with the Florería Atlántico owner in London at the site of his new Soho bar, which opens July 26.
—21 July, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Hacha to open its doors to Brixton and underprivileged communities
Aiming to ensure employment opportunities for underprivileged members of BAME communities, Hacha’s new Brixton outlet is a project with a social conscience, finds Hamish Smith
—13 July, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
The story of the Dark 'n Stormy
One of only a handful of trademarked cocktails, the Dark ’n Stormy has a long and rich history. Jane Ryan fills us in.
—16 June, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Garden to Glass: Making drinks from leaves
Anistasia Miller and Jared Brown find rich pickings in the foliage of many plants around this time of year.
—03 June, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Pandemic-era cocktails: how to boost the bottom line
The past year has felt like death by a thousand cuts for and his business partners, the on-trade. As bars were preparing to reopen – albeit with further restrictions – Laura Foster spoke to some of the industry’s savviest operators about how they’re planning to maximise their takings.
—03 June, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
London's pandemic bar openings
With our reveiw section on compassionate leave, CLASS rounds up the new and nearly-new bars opening and re-opening up this spring.
—24 May, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Phil Bayly & Julio Bermejo's tribute to Tomas Estes
What you know of tequila, of Mexican food and hospitality, is in some part down to the work and passion of the late Tomas Estes. Many in the industry saw him as a friend, but his partner in crime, Phil Bayly, knew him best. His tribute is followed by the words of another tequila legend, Julio Bermejo.
—18 May, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Birth of a classic: the story behind the long-awaited Schofield’s Bar
Schofield's Bar was the world-famous venue that didn't exist - until now. Hamish Smith takes the two-hour train from London to Manchester to finally take up a seat at Joe and Daniel Schofield's much anticpated debut bar.
—18 May, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Lyndon 3 Pandemic 0
Hamish Smith talks to Lyndon Higginson about launching hospitality venues in the most inhospitable of climates.
—12 May, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
In pictures: A bar With Shapes For A Name
A Bar With Shapes For A Name - the debut London venue from Remy Savage and Paul Lourgrat opens in May. Here's a first glimpse at the Bauhaus-inspired bar's decor. Read the full story here.
—30 April, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
The extraordinary life and times of Tomas Estes
An amateur wrestler, school teacher, restauranteur, tequila writer and pioneer, Tomas Estes lived a rich and varied life. Here is his life story, written by Hamish Smith, published in CLASS' sister title Drinks International in May 2017.
—28 April, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Video: How to make a Mojito
Tristan Stephenson, Class writer and author of the Curious Bartender books, gives us his lowdown on the Mojito. An easy drink to mess up, he says.
—22 April, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Schofield’s Bar: the exclusive story of 2021’s biggest opening
Schofield’s Bar – the long and globally anticipated debut venue of bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield - will open for service on Wednesday 14 April.
—09 April, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
“Homeboy on steroids” readies for release
The sequel to Ciarán Smith and Aaron Wall’s Homeboy will open in April, with the promise of the same modern take on Irish hospitality but a bigger – much bigger – venue.
—26 March, 2021
Cocktails & Bars
Diageo announces World Class return
Diageo has confirmed that its global bartender competition World Class will return in July.
—13 April, 2021