Mister Cocktail

When asked about their favourite cocktailbar, most people will name their preferred hang-out or perhaps the bar that is best known in their area. Most people don’t travel to visit special bars in other countries. Very unlike the good people in the drinks-industry: bartenders, big companies, journalists all visit cities around the world, not so much for the great architecture and culture, but for visiting other bars. And of course, as in any industry, things need to be put in perspective and be compared to eachother in order to say which is truly The Best.

Each year, the world’s largest event that fully revolves around spirits and cocktails is held in New Orleans. It’s called Tales of the Cocktail and is like the who-is-who in the world of creating spirits and mixing drinks.

One of the highlights of this booze-filled week are the Spirited Awards, the amazing awardshow that could be called the Oscar’s of the drinks-industry. Winning such an award is a great honour and competition is fierce in each category. Most awards are deserved by working very hard for years on end, although I believe no-one aims to win this award: the people in this industry do this for the love for spirits and of course for the hospitality industry. After all, the final outcome must be a satisfied customer, so without any you will never pick up one of these very much sought-after cristal plates.

The outcome of the 10th Spirited Awards, that were held yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Orleans reveal once again that travelling to London is a very good idea! I mean fish, chips, cup o’ tea, bad food, worst weather, Mary f*ckin’ Poppins London! Cocktails now must be added to this list.

World’s Best Cocktailbar: The Connaught

World’s Best Hotelbar: Artesian

World’s Best Cocktailmenu: Callooh Callay

World’s Best New Cocktailbar: The Zetter Townhouse

World’s Best Drinksselection: Salvatore at Playboy Club

World’s Best International Bartender: Alex Kratena (Artesian Bar)

Other awards that were handed out (watch the links below, you’ll like them!)
Best American Bartender: Joaquin Simo
Best American Cocktailbar: The Varnish in LA
Best restaurant/bar: Slanted Door, in San Fransisco
Best New Product: Cognac Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula
Best Cocktailwriting: David Wondrich
Best Non-book Publication: Liquor.com
Best New Cocktailbook: PDT Cocktail Book – Jim Meehan
Best American Brand Ambassador: Jim Ryan
best International Brand Ambassador: Angus Winchester
Best Barmentor: Steve Olson
Best High Volume Cocktailbar: Eastern Standard, Boston

One special award was given to Gaz Regan, for he received the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award. Gaz (formerly known as Gary) is an absolute legend in this industry and author of numerous book, including the book that all bartenders should have read: The Joy of Mixology. A post on twitter quoted him upon receiving the award: “I’m 60 years old, I have 40 more years to go, mother f*ckers.” Rockstar!

Congratulations to all winners, and to my readers: I hope you can visit one of these bars soon!

Picture by 69 Colebrook Row

SpeakEasy-style bars come in all different shapes and sizes. Unnoticeable doors, secret cellars, password-only, members-only etc etc. And although the strong arm of the law will not hunt these premises down, it feels special to be in a place that’s not accessible for everyone. On 69 Colebrook Row you can find The Bar With No Name, and conveniently called 69 Colebrook Row. Some things in life can be just that simple. To find this bar, you just have to turn on the navigation on your smartphone and you’re most certain to find this place, although it’s very easy to miss. The speakeasy part with this bar is that it’s just very small and tucked away and that they ask you to be nice to the neighbours after you leave, a kind gesture.

The bar opened mid 2009 and the man responsible for this  is Tony Conigliaro. No not this one, this one! Mr Conigliaro is a veteran when it comes to bartending and working with spirits. He not only opened this bar, but also a laboratory, where new flavours are added to existing brands, which opens an endless array of possibilities for creating drinks. Most of the base-spirits, syrups and bitters are created in the Drinks Factory, establishing 69 Colebrook Row as one of the most progressive bars in the industry.

The place itself is not of the fancy kind: no expensive designs, no marble bar or gold-plated ornaments: at 69 Colebrook Row it is all about hospitality and great cocktails. It is highly recommended to make a reservation, just in case a few other people before have decided to have a drink in the same place: it fills up pretty easylee. You’re welcomed by the staff - the hostess and the bartenders,  and the space is small enough to make no one enter unnoticed. All the (award-winning) staff-members are very capable of navigating you through their menu to find the perfect cocktail for you.

Drinking cocktails in The Bar With No Name is something special. As I’ve mentioned before, almost every ingredient that is used behind the bar comes out of their own lab, so you have to be open to try new flavours and put your taste buds to the test at times. And you will be rewarded for going here, for the drinks are all of extremely high quality. And yet pleasantly priced at £ 9. One example of all these great flavours is the Barbershop Fizz, in which you can find pine-infused gin (!) and a birch-vanilla syrup…talking about experimental!

The team has recently decided to revive the Gibson Martini , it’s not on their menu yet, but don’t hesitate to ask the staff. Just like you can ask for any classic cocktail – you are in safe hands when it comes down to these as well.

69 Colebrook Row is very well worth the visit, comes with a little journey to reach your destination, and has reset the standard for developing new flavours. You find yourself amongst a pleasant crowd and on week-end days a pianist will play tunes to enrichen the experience. Highly recommended!

The Bar With No Name – 69 Colebrook Row, London - +447540528593 or drinks@96colebrookrow.com