Yorkshire’s biggest city, Leeds is a popular spot for a night out and is known as the county’s most cosmopolitan with lots of restaurants and bars to head to for the perfect city break. With loads of cocktail bars found throughout the city centre, it’s no surprise that two have made the list of the UK’s top 50 cocktail bars.
But, it’s not just Leeds that’s been given the accolade, Yorkshire’s coolest city Sheffield has also managed to make the grade with two of its top cocktail bars making the list as well. When you’re going up against the behemoths such as Manchester and London – it’s quite the accolade.
The UK list of cocktail bars is brought to you by the same people who publish the top 50 Gastropubs and was launched back in 2021. It’s voted for and chosen by handpicked experts who are key people within the hospitality industry. The voters are made up of heads of leading businesses, influencers, and drinks writers who are geographically spread across the UK to ensure no regional bias.
The winner was announced February 6th, with Manchester’s Schofield’s Bar taking the top spots as the best in the UK. Tabula Rase in Leeds was the only one to make it into the top 20 coming in 16th place, with Below Stairs another popular Leeds spot coming in 27th place, and Public in Sheffield in 42nd place and Bench in 49th – just nipping in the top 50.
Tabula Rasa, Leeds (#16)
Tabula Rasa in Eastgate, Leeds describes itself on Instagram as a “place where we create and host new experiences.” It’s mixologists are said create unique and playful cocktails. the ground-floor bar serves coffee and pastries with apertivo and small plates on an evening. You can enjoy their extensive cocktails in the 55 seater venue with an art-deco – raoaring 20s theme.
The awards noted on cocktail the “Pablo Picasso” which changes colours from pale blue to lilac to violet using spirits and pink sugars. 8 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7JL
Below Stairs, Leeds (#27)
A favourite of my time spent in Leeds, Below Stairs is a popular cocktail bar wit locals. Their house cocktails aim to replicate simple emotive or sensory stories, so that you don’t need a PhD in booze-lingo to pick a cocktail you’ll love. You can choose also your favourite classic cocktails or a beer from the six draught lines.
Drinks highglited include the likes of Barmalade hich mixes Finlandia vodka, BS marmalade, BS bergamot soda, yellow Chartreuse and Jack Daniels rye whisky. 12 S Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS
Public, Sheffield (#42)
Located in a former men’s toilet below the Grade I listed Victorian town hall in Sheffield you’ll find the aptly named, Public. The tiny haven has fast become a popular cocktail bar known as much for its dark and decadent interiots with low lighting as it is for serving unmatched cocktails.
The awards said that “Notable cocktails of the past have included 159 Norfolk Street, made using White Chocolate washed Tanqueray, Cocchi Americano, Fino Sherry and Rose Water; and the Public Bellini, made with homemade peach puree, topped with Prosecco.” Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, S1 2LG
Bench, Sheffield (#49)
BENCH in Sheffield is the brainchild of Jack Wakelin and chef Tom Aronica with an aim to break the divide between kitchen and bar. After a range of sold out pop up events the pair found a permanent address in Nether Edge Road in Autumn 2020.
The awards said that “Cocktails include intriguing concoctions like the Spritz which is made from Isle of Wight tomatoes, white chocolate, lovage, Cattarato and Soda.
“There’s also a Negroni and Old Fashioned on the menu, as well as a Whisky Pear and an Americano complete with Belsazar White Vermouth, Campari and plum & fennel soda.” 7b Nether Edge Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield S7 1RU
Read More: 12 Of The Best Bars In Sheffield You NEED To Try
