EAST
Pint Shop, Cambridge
Meat, bread and (craft) beer is what it’s all about here – though gin and whisky lovers are well catered for, too.
10 Peas Hill, CB2 3PN; 01223 352293; pintshop.co.uk
Red Lion, Manningtree
Try a guest ale or cider from a local brewery while warming your feet in front of the open fire.
42 South St, CO11 1BG; 01206 391880; redlionmanningtree.co.uk
Alma Inn, Harwich
Close to Harwich quay, this CAMRA real ale pub hosts a variety of events including a weekly quiz, and a barbecue steak night every last Saturday of the month.
25 King’s Head St, CO12 3EE; 01255 318681; almaharwich.co.uk
The Fat Cat Brewery Tap, Norwich
A core range of beers from the on-site Fat Cat Brewery and a constantly changing rotation of about 20 ales – plus live music to boot.
98-100 Lawson Rd, NR3 4LF; 01603 413153; fatcattap.co.uk
196, Cambridge
Discreet cocktail bar – it’s pretty cosy, so go early to get a seat.
196 Mill Rd, CB1 3NF; 01223 410519
LONDON
Nightjar, Old Street
Blink and you might miss this subterranean 20s style cocktail bar close to Old Street tube – standing and propping up the bar isn’t allowed, so do book a table.
129 City Road, EC1V 1JB; 020 7253 4101; barnightjar.com
69 Colebrooke Row, Islington
Cocktail king Tony Conigliaro’s backstreet Islington bar has an avant-garde drinks menu that changes every season.
69 Colebrooke Row, N1 8AA; 07540 528593; 69colebrookerow.com
Bar Termini, Soho
A slice of Rome in Soho, this aperitivo bar serves Italian coffee, expertly created negronis and spritzes, little snacks, and more.
7 Old Compton St, W1D 5JE; 07860 945018; bar-termini.com
Zetter Townhouse, Clerkenwell
Eccentrically decorated bar and lounge that’s part of the Zetter Townhouse hotel, with food by Bruno Loubet and cocktails by Tony Conigliaro.
49-50 St John’s Sq, EC1V 4JJ; 020 7324 4567; thezettertownhouse.com/clerkenwell/bar
The French House, Soho
Soho boozer that’s hosted the great and the good over the years. No music, no television and, refreshingly, no mobiles.
49 Dean St, W1D 5BG; 020 7437 2477; frenchhousesoho.com
MIDLANDS
Lord Clifden, Birmingham
Seven continental lagers on tap, a range of guest ales and a huge beer garden with multiple TV screens, ping pong, table football, and a (seasonal) barbecue.
34 Great Hampton St, B18 6AA; 0121 523 7515; thelordclifden.com
Prince of Wales, Moseley
This pub really does cater to every taste: the front bar is a classic boozer, but go out to the heated garden and you’ll find a wine shed, a rum-centric tikki bar, and a cigar smoking hut. Oh, and they’ve got Sky Sports.
118 Alcester Rd, B13 8EE; 0121 449 4198; theprincemoseley.co.uk
The Bell, Alderminster
Gastro pub (and B&B) that’s part of the beautiful Alscot estate (try the draught Alscot Ale or bottled Alscot Monkey).
Shipston Rd, CV37 8NY; 01789 450414; thebellald.co.uk
Junkyard Bottle Shop, Nottingham
Fifteen American, British and European craft keg brews on tap, plus a comprehensive menu of bar snacks and bigger plates, and a sun trap backyard space that’s open until midnight.
12 Bridlesmith Walk, NG1 2FZ; 0115 950 1758; junkbars.com
Tilt, Nottingham
It’s all about the blues and the booze at this Nottingham cocktail bar and music venue.
9 Pelham St, NG1 2EH; 0115 950 1226; tiltbar.co.uk
NORTH
Friends of Ham, Leeds
Three Cs reign here: craft beer, charcuterie and cheese.
4-8 New Station St, LS1 5DL; 0113 242 0275; friendsofham.com
Picture House Social, Sheffield
Cocktail bar with a ping-pong room in the former ballroom and billiard hall of Abbeydale Picture House.
383 Abbeydale Rd, Nether Edge, S7 1FS; 0114 258 1690; picture-house-social.com
Altrincham Market House, Altrincham
Convivial indoor market serving up food and drink from the best of the region’s producers (Blackjack Brewery has a permanent spot).
26 Market St, WA14 1SA; @altrinchammkt
Pintura, Leeds
Basque bar with a basement devoted to gin (the Spanish-inspired cocktail list includes six different gin and tonics).
1 Trinity St, LS1 6AP; 0113 430 0915; pinturakitchen.co.uk
Berry & Rye, Liverpool
This atmospheric dive bar is the place to be if you like listening to blues and drinking whiskey.
48 Berry St, L1 4JQ; @berry_and_rye
NORTHERN IRELAND
Muriel’s, Belfast
Muriel was a milliner. Judging by the menu at this boudoir-esque bar, she was also partial to gin.
12-14 Church Ln, BT1 4QN; 028 9033 2445; @murielscafebar
Duke of York, Belfast
Proper pub nestled down a cobbled alley – the perfect place to down a stout or Irish whiskey.
7-11 Commercial Ct, BT1 2NB; 028 9024 1062; dukeofyorkbelfast.com
The Hudson Bar, Belfast
Three floors and a large outdoor yard, home to local DJs on the weekend. Whiskey and chicken wings are the specialities.
10-12 Gresham St, BT1 1JN; 028 9023 2322; hudsonbelfast.com
Sunflower, Belfast
This pub and live music venue is also host to the Belfast flea market and Boxing Hare wood-fired pizza.
Union St, BT1 2JG; 028 9023 2474; @sunflower_pub
The Garrick Bar, Belfast
Victorian hostelry – one of the oldest in the city – with lovely features, an impressive range of beers and a good pub food menu.
29 Chichester St, BT1 4JB; 028 9032 1984; thegarrickbar.com
SCOTLAND
1912, Bathgate
Large windowed bar (and cafe) with a good range of drinks including Moretti on tap and a gluten-free beer option.
2 South Bridge St, EH48 1TJ; 01506 633133; @cafebar1912
The Bon Vivant, Edinburgh
All 44 wines on the menu are available by glass, carafe, or bottle.
55 Thistle St, EH2 1DY; 0131 225 3275; bonvivantedinburgh.co.uk
Blackfriars, Edinburgh
Escape to the walled garden to enjoy a refreshing half of one of the rotating selection of craft beers on tap.
57-61 Blackfriars St, EH1 1NB; 0131 558 8684; blackfriarsedinburgh.co.uk
The Tippling House, Aberdeen
Late-night tavern where you can sup on the Fountain of Youth (a tequila-based cocktail, not an age-defying elixir, sadly) until 3am on Fri-Sat, and 2am the rest of the week.
4 Belmont St, AB10 1JE; thetipplinghouse.com
Bramble Bar, Edinburgh
A Walt Whitman (bourbon, vermouth, chartreuse, whisky) and a Stepford Sister (gin, elderflower liqueur, amaro) are just two of the options on this classic but inventive cocktail list.
16A Queen St, EH2 1JE; 0131 226 6343; bramblebar.co.uk
SOUTH
The Crown, Hastings
Local ales and craft beers (including vegan offerings from the Hastings Beer Co) are on the menu at this friendly pub in the heart of the old town.
64-66 All Saints St, TN34 3BN; 01424 465100; thecrownhastings.co.uk
Fuggles Beer Cafe, Tunbridge Wells
The best of British and Belgian craft brews.
28 Grosvenor Rd, TN1 2AP; 01892 457739; fugglesbeercafe.co.uk
Library of Liquor, Bournemouth
Previously known as the Library, this wood-panelled bar is hidden away above the Larder House Restaurant.
4 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QZ; 01202 424687; @libraryofliquor
The Black Dove, Brighton
Lively and dimly lit Kemptown local with a regular roster of events.
74 St James’s Street, BN2 1PA; 01273 671119; blackdovebrighton.com
The Lion & Lobster, Brighton
One of the oldest pubs in Brighton and Hove, this hidden gem has a secret roof terrace and a late-night food menu (allowing you to scoff hot dog dough balls at midnight).
24 Sillwood Street, BN1 2PS; 01273 327299; thelionandlobster.co.uk
WALES
Porter’s, Cardiff
Live music, theatre, comedy (Tuesday is open mic night), a range of beers and ales – and the owner’s nan’s famous coleslaw on the menu.
Harlech Court, Bute Terrace, CF10 2FE; 029 2125 0666; porterscardiff.com
Milgi, Cardiff
This veggie restaurant and bar offers Fairtrade rum, whisky and gin, and a regularly updated list of craft beers, ales and ciders.
213 City Rd, CF24 3JD; 029 2047 3150; milgicardiff.com
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
Multi-platform cultural space which has a bar specialising in German beer, with at least 20 different varieties from Bavarian breweries available.
Market Rd, CF5 1QE; 029 2030 4400; chapter.org
Ginhaus Deli, Llandeilo
Wine, beer, or, er, gin – they have a wall of the stuff (more than 240 types from over 46 different countries and counting).
1 Market St, SA19 6AH; 01558 823030; ginhaus.co.uk
Urban Taphouse, Cardiff
The first solely craft beer and cider bar in Wales.
25 Westgate St, CF10 1DD; 029 2039 9557; urbantaphouse.co.uk
WEST
Venner Bar, Bridport
Intimate hotel bar (hidden behind a ballroom door, of course) in a building that’s been an inn of sorts since 1593.
The Bull Hotel, 34 East St, DT6 3LF; 01308 422878; thebullhotel.co.uk/venner-cocktail-bar
Haus Bar, Bristol
A bar that brings a bit of Berlin to Bristol.
52 Upper Belgrave Rd, BS8 2XP; 0117 946 6081; hausbar.co.uk
The Apple, Bristol
Sip on a cider or perry served off a converted Dutch barge. Warning: their own Old Bristolian cider is for the strong of constitution.
Welsh Back, BS1 4SB; 0117 925 3500; applecider.co.uk
The Milk Thistle, Bristol
Sleekly decorated bar in a historic four-storey townhouse that runs regular events, including, but not limited to, a gin club.
Quay Head House, Colston Ave, BS1 1EB; 0117 929 4429; milkthistlebristol.com
Hand Beer Bar, Falmouth
More than 80 world beers, and a monthly tasting club.
Old Brewery Yard, High St, TR11 2BY; 01326 319888
