On the 21st May 2025, Courtney and I headed into Clapham for the hottest ticket in town – the CLASS Bar Awards!

What better way to spend a sunny Wednesday afternoon than glamming up for a night out in London and celebrating the achievements of those lucky enough to win a coveted CLASS Bar Award.

Held at the prestigious Battersea Arts Centre, the awards attracted a guest list of more than six hundred of the industry’s best and brightest! The awards not only celebrate the best bars throughout the UK, but the teams and individuals behind them, with categories including Emerging Bartender, Bartender of the Year, Bar Manager of the Year, Front of House Member and Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

This year also marked a first for regional awards, with Northern Ireland having its own category.

The evening started with a drinks reception hosted by Beesou, the bitter honey aperitif along with Burnt Faith brandy in a separate bar with DJ. Once the doors opened to the main arena we were spoilt for choice. Lining the event space and keeping us well hydrated were pop-up bars run by the sponsors of the event, including Monkey Shoulder, Funkin’ Pro-Cocktails, Italicus and more, mixing up a wealth of delicious cocktails throughout the evening. Plus, stocked in each fridge, was water from Jolly’s Drinks – one of our newest clients, a great product placement helping then to gain wider brand awareness with the crème de la crème of the on-trade.

The Winners

It will be of no surprise that industry heavyweights, old and new, such as the  Connaught Bar, Gleneagles Hotel, Iain McPherson (of Panda & Sons, Edinburgh) and Satan’s Whiskers found themselves nominated in multiple categories after previous years of success, but here is a round up of this year’s winners…

Front of House Star of the Year

Keila Urzaiz de Calignon, Satan’s Whiskers, London

 

Bar Innovator of the Year

Iain McPherson, Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

 

Bar Manager of the Year

Michele Mariotti, The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder

 

Emerging Bartender of the Year

Gracie Goggins, The Last Word, Edinburgh

 

Bartender of the Year

Katie Rouse, Couch, Birmingham

 

Sustainable Practices Award

Below Stairs, Leeds

 

Bar Employer of the Year

Blinker, Manchester

 

Cocktail of the Year

Sazzaquack, Three Sheets Soho, London

 

Drinks Menu of the Year

Lyaness, Sea Containers

 

Bar Food Menu of the Year

Passing Fancies, Birmingham

 

Hotel Bar of the Year

Connaught Bar, The Connaught, London

 

New Bar of the Year

Bar Glue, Liverpool

 

Best Bar in London & the Southeast

Satan’s Whiskers, London

 

Best Bar in Wales

Lab 22, Cardiff

 

Best Bar in the West – Sponsored by Jolly’s Drinks

Filthy XIII, Bristol

 

Best Bar in Midlands & East Anglia

Couch, Birmingham

 

Best Bar in Scotland

Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

 

Best Bar in Northern Ireland

Rattlebag, Belfast

 

Best Bar in the North

Schofield’s, Manchester

 

Bar of the Year

Satan’s Whiskers, London

 

Outstanding Contribution

Mike Aikman and Jason Scott of Bramble, The Last Word, Lucky Liquor, Mothership, Edinburgh

The evening was filled with delicious drinks, camaraderie amongst fellow bar teams, and a copious amount of support for the industry. Well done to CLASS Magazine who pulled off a fantastic event – we can’t wait for next year’s!

Have you been to one of these bars, tried a tipple or two? Tell us about it on our socials @jellybeanagency and follow us to stay up-to-date with the latest goings on.

Caitlin Hynd
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