Cardiff’s Lab 22 is voted number one cocktail bar in the UK

Cardiff-based Lab 22, known for inventive cocktails, has been voted number one in this year’s coveted Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Tucked away above a well-known bakery, the experimental Lab 22 (pictured above) has jumped up 32 places in two years with its daring drinks menu from award-winning head bartender Max Hayward.

Also situated in the Welsh capital is Pennyroyal, a new entry at number 36, known for its friendly neighbourhood vibe and bold, eccentric cocktails.

Alongside the Welsh entries, a further ten are in the north of England, three in the west, two in the Midlands, three in the south and five in Scotland – leaving London to dominate half of the list.

Lab 22 cocktail — Cardiff-based Lab 22 is known for super inventive cocktails

Number two in this year’s top 50 is Swift Soho, a much-loved regular on the list and in third place is The Connaught Bar, also voted as the 2021 ‘Best Bar in the World’ in The World’s 50 Best Bars.

This year’s highest new entrant is Tayēr + Elementary at number four on the list. Based in East London, it is the crowning work of bartending royalty Alex Kratena and Monica Berg. A venue of two parts, Elementary is an industrially styled casual all-day spot where cocktails are prepared in seconds, thanks to a draught system, served without garnish or affectation in identical squat glasses, allowing the liquid to do the talking. Through the partition at Tayēr, the drinks are equally impressive, with a daily carousel of new seasonal recipes being made in an open kitchen-like theatre.

This year’s special awards were presented to Bar Ikigai in Birmingham for Newcomer of the Year, Little Mercies in London for the Sustainability Award, Three Little Words in Manchester for Bar Team of the Year and Déjà vu in Hereford as the One to Watch.

Number two in this year’s Top 50 is Swift Soho in London

Top 50 Cocktail Bars publisher Christopher Lowe said: “London has always been seen as a global leader for cocktails but as you’ll see from the 2022 list, other major cities across the UK are now catching up. Our newly launched website will help cocktail connoisseurs discover the best of the UK bar scene with many of these very much still under the radar.”

This year’s winners were announced during the list reveal on Tuesday 1^st February at One Night Records, in London, hosted by Aidy Smith, who said: “I am absolutely honoured to present this year’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars and in doing so, celebrating the beating heart of drinks discovery. Without mixology, the world would never be able to discover drinks in such a unique and beautiful way.

“It’s this passion that sets bars and teams apart with a collective love and thirst for taste exploration. After two harrowing years I can’t wait to get stuck in and honour some truly incredible people making some truly spectacular creations. Let’s do this!”