W H A T
Among the grand Georgian townhouses that line picturesque Great Pulteney Street is Bar 15, found within boutique hotel No.15 Great Pulteney. This chic bar is full of curious touches – the cocktail menu takes the form of a deck of cards, for instance – but despite such attention to style, substance is very much a priority. “We focus on purity of flavour,” says bar manager Ian Harman. “Every cocktail uses high-end ingredients to produce amazing flavours, and is made to enhance and display them in exciting and daring variations.” The Persephone’s Pomegranate (Williams Elegant Gin, elderflower liqueur, pomegranate juice, lemon and soda) is one of the most-loved concoctions here, but there’s a newbie on the block – or should we say deck? – that we have our eye on: the Pisco and Fig Sour, with 1615 Pisco, Bristol Syrup Co Demerara, Briottet fig liqueur, duck egg white and plum bitters. Let’s head over to Bristol now, starting right up the top of Whiteladies Road, at Kinkajou. Housed in the basement space that used to be occupied by the famous Hausbar, this relatively recent addition to the local cocktail scene aims to continue the boozy endeavours of its predecessor, with expertly mixed drinks, a selection of fine spirits and great service. The name? It’s a raccoon-like animal – also known as the honeybear – whose curiosity, social character and nocturnal nature made it a great mascot, the team felt, for their underground, late-night bar. The space was refurbished last year to create a setting that’s refined, relaxing and nods to the kinkajou’s native rainforest home. So, to the drinks: the menu currently lists over 100 cocktails, but the most popular of late has proved to be their signature, Honeybear. This sees Cachaca infused with peanut butter and mixed with pineapple and honey. Follow Whiteladies Road down to the Clifton Triangle, and you’ll come into the vicinity of New York-inspired, speakeasy-style joint Hyde and Co. This place was born 10 years ago now (yes, really) but is still considered one of the city’s best bars, and has become known for its thoughtfully designed concept menus, which read like a story; the current version is entitled Midnight in Paris, and follows a private detective on a Film Noir-style journey. “Our best seller is the King Louie,” says manager and recent winner of Imbibe’s Bartender of the Year award, Dan Bovey. “It’s a twist on the classic Jungle Bird cocktail (rum, lime, pineapple and Campari), and is made with Trois Riviéres Agricole Rhum and passion fruit. “At this time of year, my own drink of choice has to be a classic Irish Coffee. We make ours with Redbreast Lustau – a sherried Irish whiskey – and pair it with Cast Iron by Extract Coffee, then finish with a layer of cream. It’s rich and indulgent.” Down Park Street, towards town, is Hyde and Co’s sister bar, The Milk Thistle. The phrase ‘hidden in plain sight’ springs to mind here: it’s in a big building right on the main road with a large black door – yet you can so easily walk past without noticing. “As a table service bar, we believe in easy-going, high quality service to complement our drinks,” says manager Alex Godfrey. “As we have just launched our new 2019 menu, Meet George, a guest favourite is yet to reveal itself; however, we have a suspicion that Oh! Sentimental One and Taking the Pisco will be popular choices. My own favourite? The Rebel Genius. This reimagined Negroni will take you to Italy on a summer’s day.” Also in the city centre is steampunk-themed cocktail bar The Clockwork Rose, based around a concept that centres on the fictitious Captain Sebastian Commodore. It was opened in September 2017 by Christopher and Danielle Stutt, who are members of the local steampunk community.
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Kinkajou (above) was given a refit last year, and The Milk Thisle (below) has bags of vintage charm
“Each cocktail on our menu is created to represent a different story from the life of the Captain, including the time he foiled a plot to poison the Queen (Pharmaceutical Stimulant) and the time that he took on board a mysterious passenger known only as the Hitchhiker (Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster),” Chris explains. Guests seem to love the Picnic Society here – a combination of crème de cassis, lemon juice, cranberry juice, aquafaba, and homemade strawberry and basil-infused gin. But, right now,
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