Reader Reviews: The Best UK Bars - Life - Stylist Magazine

Our readers' best UK bars

Top seven venues reviewed

As part of our 100th issue, we asked seven Stylist readers to review their essential bars across the UK. If you're looking for a new place to enjoy a cocktail, give one of these a try...

1. Discover a real-life inner city Narnia

Callooh Callay, 65 Rivington Street, London EC2; calloohcallaybar.com

Nestled along an unassuming alley in the heart of east London, Callooh Callay takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s

poem Jabberwocky to offer experimental drinkers a voyage into the unexpected. With an incredible attention to detail and more kooky vintage picture frames than you can shake a top hat at, this cocktail bar offers a delicious range of uniquely blended drinks, mix-tape adorned loos and a real-life wardrobe door, through which clientele are transported to a veritable Narnia (the intimately lit back bar). A place where the furnishings are as enchanting as the atmosphere, this is a curious playground and one city secret truly worth sharing.

Reviewed by Laura Tarbox

2. Sip cocktails in a speakeasy

Hyde & Co, 2 The Basement, Berkeley Crescent, Bristol BS8; hydeandcobristol.net

A mix of vintage furnishings, low lighting and quirky antique displays create an atmospheric drinking experience, including knowledgeable service and cocktail-list gems such as banana bread daiquiris.

Reviewed by Inoka Ho

3. Get shaken and stirred

Nightjar, 129 City Road, London EC1; barnightjar.com

With unpretentious glamour, the emphasis is on service with a personal touch; perfected cocktails in a low-lit interior.

Reviewed by Venetia Hulse

4. Indulge your sweet tooth

Ninetyeight Bar, 98 Curtain Road, London EC2; ninetyeight-bar-lounge.com

This treasure trove offers infusions such as rum-soaked sugar cane and candy-floss martinis. Delicious.

Reviewed by Hannah Walker

5. Enjoy urban elegance

Leaf on Bold St, 65-67, Bold Street, Liverpool L1; thisisleaf.co.uk

A mix of quirky and industrial, pick the reading nook with high-backed velvet chairs for the perfect place to sip a wine.

Reviewed by Marie Lavelle

6. Have a thoughtful tipple

Bramble Bar, 16a Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2; bramblebar.co.uk

With the aptly named Bitter Sweet Sip, Bramble delivers on its promise to make drinks that stimulate the mind and appetite.

Reviewed by Marlene Keil

7. Visit an unspeakable bar

Bar With No Name, 69 Colebrooke Row, London N1; 69colebrookerow.com

What sets this speakeasy bar apart is its attention to detail; bills are handwritten, waiters are impeccably dressed in classic bartender wear and seasonal cocktails are prepared with the same diligence as Chanel creating a handbag.

Reviewed by Alero Cave

Tags: food and drink, going out, bars, 100th issue