Yorkshire’s biggest city, Leeds, is a popular spot for a night out and is often regarded as the county’s most cosmopolitan hub, brimming with restaurants and bars perfect for a city break. With a wealth of cocktail bars spread throughout its bustling centre, it’s no surprise that two have earned a place on the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars for 2025.
But it’s not just Leeds flying the Yorkshire flag. Sheffield, often celebrated as the county’s coolest city, has also made the grade, with two of its top cocktail bars landing a spot on the prestigious list. Competing with industry heavyweights like Manchester and London makes this accolade all the more impressive.
The official rankings will be revealed on 11th February 2025 at a glittering ceremony at the Underglobe in London. Until then, an A-to-Z list of the contenders has been shared to whet our appetites.
The UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list, launched in 2021, is curated by the same team behind the Top 50 Gastropubs. The rankings are determined by an expert panel of hospitality leaders, influencers, and drinks writers, strategically spread across the UK to avoid regional bias.
This year’s “Ones to Watch” list, sponsored by Tequila Herradura, highlights rising stars, including The Brain Jar in Hull— which we’d named Yorkshire’s finest cocktail bars the guys there have intimate knowledge that is second to none.
Check out our visit to The Brain Jar below:
Meanwhile, the Rising Stars award, sponsored by Woodford Reserve, celebrates emerging talent, with Miley Kendrick of Call Lane Social in Leeds among the nominees.
Ed Bedington, editor of the Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, commented: “We’re delighted to be revealing who’s made the cut for this year’s list. This is always a hotly contested accolade, and there are some amazing bars that make up the best of the best.
We look forward to revealing where they’ve all placed and celebrating the winners in other categories. The cocktail bar sector is a vibrant space that showcases real innovation in hospitality. It’s an honour for us to shine a spotlight on some of the best in the business.”
Yorkshire has plenty to celebrate as its cocktail culture continues to thrive and compete on a national stage. Cheers to that!
The Yorkshire cocktail bars shortlisted for the top 50 in the UK can be seen below:
- Below Stairs, Leeds
- Pearl at Park Hill, Sheffield
- Public, Sheffield
- Tabula Rasa, Leeds
If you’d like to see all the bars in this year’s top 50, check out the list here.
Read More: Two Yorkshire Towns Named In Top 10 Happiest Places To Live In UK 2024
Feature Image Credit: Tabula Rosa
