READERS' AWARD

1) North Bar, Leeds

Nestling in the upper reaches of town, this late-night drinking den is a far-cry from the generic lounge bars that have swamped Leeds' city centre in recent years. It began as a back-to-basics beer burrow, earning street-cred by stocking an unparalleled array of continental tipples. With more than 70 beers on offer, mostly imports from Germany and Belgium, a night at the North Bar is all about sampling the latest recommendation from owner, John Gyngell, who lives by the motto: 'Don't be shy, try something different.'

North Bar's charm stems from a cosy but understated interior punctuated by just a few decorative touches. Fairy lights strewn above a well-travelled liquor library make the bar irresistibly après-ski and the overall effect is a curious corridor that reeks of shabby chic. Since it opened in 1997 a discerning crowd of twenty-to-fortysomethings have eschewed the trendy in favour of the timeless and will be kicking themselves that the crowds have cottoned on.

· North Bar, 24 New Briggate, Leeds (0113 242 4540)

2) The Duke of Cambridge, London

About as organic, gastro and gentrified as a pub can possibly be - but a highly pleasant experience nonetheless. Brilliantly warm and relaxed, with its eclectic mix of scrubbed tables and rickety chairs, the Duke of Cambridge defines laid-back Sunday boozing. The beer and wine lists have some great organic gems.

· The Duke of Cambridge, 30 St Peter's Street, London N1 (020 7359 3066)

3) Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes, London

Super-hip east London at its very best - creative and edgy, but also fun and uncharacteristically unsneering. Fishtank tables and squashy sofas, sweet staff, good music, and what is quite clearly the best bar name in the history of bar names (it was formerly two separate shops - Dream Bags, and Jaguar Shoes) all contribute.

· Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes, 34-36 Kingsland Road, London E2 (020 7729 5830)

Best of the rest

SCOTLAND

Fourth Floor, Harvey Nichols

30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh (0131 524 8350)

Shoppers can sip their cocktails while taking in the unbelievable view.

Plockton Hotel

Harbour Street, Plockton, Ross-shire (01599 544274)

A pint in this sleepy lochside village pub tucked away in the heart of the Highlands is a must.

WALES

Soda Bar

41 St Mary Street, Cardiff (02920 238 181)

Sleek and chic members' bar, open to the public. A pitcher of the house cocktail is £10.

Penhelig Arms Hotel

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd (0870 401 6267)

Sit on the sea wall by the Dyfi estuary and enjoy one of the real ales.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Shu Bar

253 Lisburn Road, Belfast (02890 381 655)

This bar and restaurant has built up a solid reputation for serving up classic cocktails in an atmospheric, contemporary space.

YORKS AND HUMBERSIDE

Trio

44 North Lane, Leeds (0113 203 6090)

Hot spot, just a stone's throw from Headingley cricket ground.

Wellington Inn

19 The Green, Lund, Driffield, East Yorkshire (01377 217 294)

Beams, flagstones and obsolete farming tools plus handpumped local legend bitters.

NORTH WEST

The Marble Beer House

57 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester (0161 881 9206)

Manchester's only organic and vegan brewery. Unusual guest ales and malts, plus snacks from Unicorn, a local whole food co-op.

The Hillary Step

199 Upper Chorlton Road,Whalley Range, Manchester (0161 881 1978)

Strict no-music and no-food policy. This is the place to go for Belgian beers and real ales.

The Newz Bar

18 Water Street, Liverpool (0151 236 2025)

Aptly named because of the suits and traders who come to drink where they can keep an eye on the latest market movements on the overhead screens.

NORTH EAST

Tokyo Bar

17 Westgate Road, Newcastle (0191 232 1122)

With its clean, oriental design and a mean lemongrass and watermelon martini, this is a welcome change to Newcastle Brown Ale.

MIDLANDS

Medicine Bar at The Custard Factory

Gibb Street, Birmingham (0121 693 6333)

The place to be outside the city centre. Go on a gig night.

The Anchor at Sutton Gault

Bury Lane, Sutton Gault, Ely, Cambridgeshire (01353 778 537)

Family-run and cosy with old-fashioned gaslights. Adnams and other real ales served on tap.

SOUTH EAST

The Black and White Bar

Hotel Seattle, Brighton Marina, Brighton (01273 679 799)

Swanky maritime bar with monochrome interior. Sip on a classic martini as you look out to sea.

The Bar at Drakes

44 Marine Parade, Brighton (01273 696 934)

Decadent booze den with a members' club feel.

SOUTH WEST

Stark

Blackboy Hill, Clifton Road, Bristol (0117 973 9522)

Funky vodka bar with 1970s furniture. Try the lemon sherbert flavour.

EAST ANGLIA

The Adam and Eve

Bishopgate, Norwich, Norfolk (01603 667 423)

The site has been a drinking hotspot for 1,500 years. A Saxon well was found under the bar floor.

LONDON

Dusk

339 Battersea Park Road, SW11 (020 7622 2112)

Louche, stylish lounge bar with 23 martinis on offer.

Milk and Honey

61 Poland Street, W1 (07000 655 469)

Hidden behind a subtle black door, you enter a decadent world of cocktails and whispers.

43 South Molton

43 South Molton Street, W1 (020 7647 4343)

Comfy couches and period decor.