New bars
***Top of our list is visiting this one: it’s only been open a week and we’re already hearing great things about Gento Torigata’s new bar, Waltz. Not that we’re surprised. With his exemplary style, both in his drinks making and hosting skills, most recently witnessed at Erik Lorincz’s Kwañt in London, and previously at Jigger & Pony in Singapore, coupled with the way he cuts a dash on the dapper dressing front, we expected nothing less.
Word is he’s brought all of that poise, that customary Japanese elegance to his first solo project – a 24-seater space in Shoreditch, East London. It’s walk-ins only for now, so we advise to get in quick!
New menus
***It’s new menu time at Lyaness. And as anyone who’s ever explored any of the cocktails from its previous menus will tell you, that means a whole lot of excitement in the flavour department. The latest, entitled the Collaboration Menu sees the team drawing on surprising and diverse collabs around the world and translating them into 12 fascinating, one-of-a-kind ingredients.
For instance, the partnership between Lego and MIT to make robotic models was the inspiration for what the Lyaness crew call Lego Olive Oil. Made by breaking down olive oil in its solid form ‘to create a funky, cereal quality with fresh and buttery green olive notes,’ it then finds its place in the Robo Ramos (Discarded Grape Skin vodka, Lego olive oil, citrus and guava leaf). Then there’s the KitKatso, inspired by the partnership formed by Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and Ferrari to improve patient care. This unlikely pairing sees the team combining koji with a popular chocolate confection, ‘to create a savoury depth with a bright, chocolate creaminess’ which plays out in the Pitstop Fix (Port Charlotte 10 whisky, KitKatso, tropical chilli, linden honey and lemon (also available as a boozeless option, one of four n/a on the menu). As ever, the drinks are the result of bright minds at work and enquiring minds at play. We can’t wait to check it out.
***Four Seasons Hong Kong is basking in the limelight of its sister property in Koh Samui, currently starring in the latest run of The White Lotus. In-house guests at the Hong Kong property can channel their inner divas by relaxing in the brand new and exclusive Poolside Escape cabanas, while sipping on the new cocktails inspired by various Four Seasons properties featured in the series.
New books
***Just when we thought we’d filled our shelves with all the cocktail books we could possibly need, along comes Angelos Bafas with his debut, HYPER drinks. Written as a journal, it translates his thinking to the page and offers a fascinating insight into the pared-back approach and passion for making hyper seasonal cocktails that have given rise to his Mr Ungarnished moniker. There are recipes too, plus beautiful photography and tips for creating more sustainable drinks in the bar and at home. Available to pre-order now.
New bottles
***As you might expect from a range of whiskies based on the Bard’s Scottish play, The Macbeth Collection packs in some seriously complex drams as well as compelling drama. Taking in 42 whiskies, cleverly divided into six series and released in five acts, Act II made its debut yesterday (13th March) to rapturous applause. It features eight new limited editions, including a 45-year-old Bunnahabhain Single Malt Scotch Whisky representing Lord MacDuff, the lead in this particular cast, accompanied by three noble Thanes played out superbly by Single Malts from 18 to 28 years old. The Second Witch and The Second Murderer are whiskies wreathed in smoke and sherry while The Household Servant and Soldier from the cast are distilled at Clynelish and Benrinnes. And if that little lot wasn’t exciting enough, Sir Quentin Blake has illustrated the labels. Boom!
***And now for something so obvious, you wonder why it hasn’t been done before (or maybe it has and we missed it?) Anyways, proof that the folk at Southern Comfort have a playful side, they’ve partnered up with Manchester rapper Aitch for the limited-edition bottling called, wait for it, Northern Comfort. Better still, Aitch performed a mini rave for passengers on a train travelling across the north to launch the bottling. We bet that l’il shindig went down well with commuters in the other carriages!
And also…
Dates for the diary
***14th March (7-10pm): The Sidecar at The Westbury from Dublin serve up classic cocktails with an Irish twist in The Coral Room; then from 9pm-12am the Paladar bar from Cork bring the craic to the downstairs Bloomsbury Club Bar.
***16th March: Barstars from The Orientalists Spirits brings some of Asia’s finest bars to The Cambridge and Little Red Door in Paris.
(3-6pm) Antonio Lai, Quinary (Hong Kong); Wake Murata, Tokyo Confidential (Japan), and Lola Lau (China) represent at The Cambridge; then…
(6-9pm) Kiki Moka, The Cocktail Club (Indonesia); Niza, Origin Bar, (Singapore), and Terry Cheongsam (Korea) keep the good vibes going at Little Red Door.
***16th March: (from 7pm) The third leg of the Academia PATRÓN x Handshake UK Tour calls in at Bar Glue in Liverpool. Expect a fabulous selection of PATRÓN tequila cocktails from the Handshake team, currently number one on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
***From 17th March: The Ned opens The Guinness Bar, a three-month pop-up, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The drinks take in the Barkley Café (Ron Zacapa rum, Guinness, espresso and cacao), and the Royal Velvet (Nyetimer sparkling wine, cassis and Guinness), and pints of Guinness of course. The food offering includes mini beef and onion pie with Guinness gravy as well as Guinness Cheddar croquettes.
***17th March (7-11pm) Muse & Masters – The Best of Asia. Aura Bar at Regent Hong Kong fly in for a one night only extravaganza at Apollo’s Muse, with four very special cocktails featuring The Macallan.
***18th March: (6-9pm) Antonio Lai, owner of Quinary, Hong Kong will be bringing his world famous cocktails to Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat. On the menu: Earl Grey Caviar Vodka Martini, gin-based Scoop Me Up and the non-alc Oolong Tea Collins.
***18th March: (8pm onwards) The last stop on Academia PATRÓN x Handshake UK Tour is at Panda & Sons in Edinburgh. And it’s guaranteed to be quite the party. Expect a fabulous selection of PATRÓN tequila cocktails from the Handshake team, and ace hosting from Scotland’s favourite pandas.
Industry news:
Don’t forget to take part in the Celebrate Her survey. In case you missed details, here’s one we did earlier…
Talk about community, Celebrate Her set up by Anna Sebastian has become one of the largest, most influential global platforms for women working across all areas of the drinks industry. As well as being a valuable source for connection, information and insights, Celebrate Her is making the most of its reach by embarking on a new, first of its kind, global survey that will give valuable insights into all aspects of the industry. It’s a biggie, covering the vital stuff, such as mental health, parenthood, safety, diversity and inclusion, and it’s something that we encourage everyone working in drinks to take part in. From bartenders and owners to brand ambassadors, managers to buyers, journos to PRs, all voices and experiences are very much welcomed. And as it’s French, Spanish and Chinese, there’s no excuse.
The survey, led by Celebrate Her, Allegra Global and GCA, is available until 31st March after which the responses will be analysed by CGA’s expert team and the findings shared with industry media, leaders and the wider drinks scene.
Survey available here. Do it, you know it makes sense.
Reasons to be cheerful
15th Espresso is… Espresso Martini Day. We can’t think of a better place to celebrate it than at Chapter 72 Coffee & Cocktail Shop in Bermondesy. This is where Rod and his wife Ellie champion their favourite cocktail, and you’ll find 11 iterations of it in The Espresso Martini Collection which runs from the house CH72 Espresso Martini, to Popcorn, Spicy Mexican, Piña Colada and Matcha varieties. If you fancy having a go yourself, book up for their Espresso Martini Master Class, available for groups of 2 to 8 people.
17th March is…St. Patrick’s Day. There are many events taking place on the days leading up to and after the big day (see above) but on SPD itself, we advise heading to DRAM Bar in London. They’re promising great food, top-notch craic and delicious drinks from two of the best bars in Ireland, Rattlebag and The Merchant,
