15 Bars You Must Visit Before You Die

    The best new openings and old favourites in the UK.

    Ailbhe Malone
    by Ailbhe Malone

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Berry and Rye, Liverpool

    Berry and Rye

    Serving "whiskey, booze, jazz and gin", Berry and Rye is a cult classic with good reason. If you're in the area, you could also check out Jenny's Bar. Berry and Rye have another location opening soon, so keep your eye on their Twitter feed for updates.

    2. Wood & Company, Manchester

    Wood and Company

    This is the new venue from the clever people behind Dusk til Pawn. Look for a sign saying "goods entrance" and reward yourself with a killer Old Fashioned.

    3. Red Light, Bristol

    Red Light

    You'll see a tatty old payphone next to a graffiti-covered door. Don't panic. Pick up the phone to be let inside, and prepare for a treat. Go for their signature "Rum and Coke" – it's more than what it seems.

    (Also, their URL has xxx at the end, so if you're at work then maybe their Facebook page is the better link to click).

    4. Below The Smoke, London

    Below the Smoke

    Tucked beneath the Shoreditch branch of Scandi restaurant Rök, something interesting is happening. Below the Smoke isn't for the faint hearted, but the rewards are worth the risk. Go for the Seasonal Bones, with Duck Bone Distillate, Grt King st Whiskey, Plum vermouth.

    5. The Dead Canary, Cardiff

    Dead Canary

    Things are never boring at this cool speakeasy. Settle in with a stiffener, or go all out with a sharing punch bowl for 8 people. If you want to pick up some extra knowledge, they also run masterclasses that include tastings, canapés and plenty of cocktails.

    6. Bramble, Edinburgh

    Bramble

    Bramble has been around for 10 years, and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. Don't be fooled by its vintage, the menu is bang-up-to-date too – go for the Morona, with olive oil-washed Aylesbury duck vodka, sherry, sugar syrup and bitters.

    7. Discount Suit Company, London

    Discount Suit Company

    This cool underground bar is located in – you guessed it – a former suit company. And the drinks don't disappoint. Go for the "Tailor Two Cities", (Old Tom Gin, Chamberyzette & Cranberry Shrubb) or share a "Two Smoking Barrels" with a friend.

    8. Her Majesty's Secret Service, Bristol

    Her Majesty's Secret Service

    James Bond-themed and kitsch, this new bar is related to the Cocktail Trading Company in London. Amongst the classics, like sours, daquiris and juleps, there are some quirkier takes – like Sauvignon Private Ryan with sauvignon blanc, sherry, Calvados and more.

    9. Trailer Happiness, London

    Trailer Happiness

    This tiki bar is super-fun, and stays open pleasingly late. Seriously, they don't have a closing time on their website. Just "til late". What more could you want?

    10. 81 LTD, Liverpool

    81LTD

    There's a hatch in the front door at this super-hip bar, and a pervasive air of secrecy. It's bookings-only, but worth the wait. Go for the "Airmail" (Spiced rum, bitters, lime, honey and pear syrup, topped with champagne).

    11. Ray's Bar, London

    Ray's Bar

    There's disco ball walls, snuggly booths and copious amounts of pizza from Voodoo Ray's upstairs. So yeah, Ray's Bar is kind of the dream. If you're up for staying out late, there's some cocktails that are only available after midnight (like the Tunnel Dance, with Lagavulin, Bourbon, Chilli, Rhubarb Bitters).

    12. Mr Lynch, Newcastle

    Mr Lynch

    This Jesmond bar knows its audience. Squishy sofas, retro cocktails, a late license and low lighting. They even do a student discount (£3.95 for a Dib Dab-tini!)

    13. Prohibition, Swansea

    Prohibition

    Go behind the bookcase to this (you guessed it!) Prohibition-themed bar. Despite the theme, the drinks aren't stuck in the past though – go for Los Fuegos, a cocktail made with red wine. And if you visit on a Wednesday, all drinks are Buy One Get One Free.

    14. Patterns, Brighton

    Graham Turner

    Get down to Patterns before February 2017 to experience Narnia in real life. The downstairs bar has Turkish Martinis (Lanique Rose liquor, rose water, grenadine, vodka, chocolate liquor, chocolate bitters), Hot Buttered Rum and a boozy hot chocolate menu. There's a hidden entrance of course, and an actual wardrobe that may lead to Mr Tumnus and the lamp-post.

    15. The Escapologist, London

    The Escapologist

    This new Covent Garden bar is styled like a Victorian secret society, and is heaps of fun. Their mission? "Partying like it's 1899 seven days a week". Go for a chocolate orange negroni, and stay for a pizza too.