London

Eve Bar, Covent Garden
Under Adam Handling’s The Frog is a dark den devoted to cocktail hedonism, the menu divided into categories of “innocence, temptation, indulgence, antique and non-intoxicating”.
34 Southampton St, WC2E 7HF; 020 7199 8375

Every Cloud, Hackney
This tiny bar with lovely wallpaper has a cocktail for every mood and a story with every cocktail.
11 Morning Ln, E9 6NU; 020 3441 9850

The Blue Posts, Soho
A multi-storey venue from the team behind the Palomar and Barbary – the ground floor is where the pub happens. The drinks are good, the decor classic, and the snacks are simple – nuts, crackling and dips – but several notches above average.
28 Rupert St, W1D 6DJ

East

Church Street Tavern, Colchester
This former bank has comfortable and arty interiors and a changing list of beer and cider, plus classic cocktails and an extensive but easily navigable wine list.
3 Church St, CO1 1NF; 01206 564325

Hawthorn, Norwich
Upstairs there’s table service and elegant modish house creations (bitters, herbs, coffee, sherry); downstairs, it’s classic cocktails from the bar.
2-4 St Benedicts St, NR2 4AG

Dylans at The Kings Arms, St Albans
The beer menu at this airy modern free house changes daily and dogs are welcome (book table seven).
7 George St, AL3 4ER; 01727 530332

Midlands

The Feather Star, Wirksworth
Lots of community love for this pub with craft beer in the taps and vinyl on the decks, plus a log burner, book launches and super-8 film nights.
15 St John’s St, DE4 4DR; 07931 424117

The Bell, Alderminster
This popular free house has rooms, a classic bar menu (sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips) and its own Alscot Ale alongside other local drops.
Shipston Rd, CV37 8NY; 01789 450414

The Lord Clifden, Birmingham
A fixture on this list since 2012, this Jewellery Quarter pub worked out what people like (street art, quality lagers, hearty food, bar games, friendly service) and keeps delivering.
34 Great Hampton St, B18 6AA; 0121 523 7515

North

The Heart of Northumberland, Hexham
Pretty, renovated pub with five real ales plus changing craft brews, good-value wines and a selection of spirits from the north-east and surrounding counties.
5 Market St, Hexham NE46 3NS; 01434 608013

Science + Industry, Manchester
Experimental is the name of the cocktail game here, with tasting notes guiding drinkers through “accessible” to “complex” flavours. masterclasses are also available.
49-51 Thomas St, M4 1NA

Albert Schloss, Manchester
The food menu may be eclectic but punches well above its weight – perfect with a pilsner or schnapps at this kitschy, uber-fun German bierhaus (open till 2am).
27 Peter St, M2 5QR; 0161 833 4040

South

Fuggles Beer Cafe, Tonbridge
The wine list may be concise but the beer and cider runs to a mind-boggling four pages, and there are more than 100 gins and whiskies, plenty to tackle while having a toasted sandwich.
165 High St, TN9 1BX; 01732 666071

The Crown, Hastings
Last year’s overall winner offers a strong showing from Sussex and Kentish producers of beer, cider and wine, plus haircuts in the pub, making it a popular tourist pit stop and a place where locals linger.
64-66 All Saints’ St, TN34 3BN; 01424 465100

The Plotting Parlour, Brighton
The lights are low, the chairs easy to sink into, and the creative house-made cocktails hard to choose from but easy to drink.
6 Steine St, BN2 1TE; 01273 621238

West

Dark Bear, Bridport
A pop-up that seems to be sticking around, specialising in workshops, local flavours and house-made infusions and syrups.
31 East St, DT6 3JX; 01308 538338

Bodega, Christchurch
Flying the flag for wine bars, this converted shed regularly mixes up the interesting bottles that are easily paired with cheese and Spanish snacks.
12 Wick Ln, BH23 1HX; 01202 476857

Ginger Viking, Blandford Forum
From Thursdays to Saturday, Alex Young takes over the Forum Cafe and turns it into a cocktail bar. Thursdays is gin night, with more than 50 types to sample with tonic or in a bespoke mix.
34 Salisbury St, DT11 7PR; 07597 220955

Wales

The Pod, Newport
Eighty gins, which are matched to a range of tonics, and tasting and blending masterclasses in this modern bar.
1 Rodney Rd, NP19 0AP; 01633 535440

Bar Saint James, Swansea
Welsh whisky, gin and rum are worth a try either on the terrace or in the contemporary bar with preserved art nouveau features, while a dedicated tea room means it’s not all boozy.
30 Uplands Cres, SA2 0PB; 01792 462873

The Dead Canary, Cardiff
Behind a fire door, under an empty birdcage, is an atmospheric speakeasy-style bar with cocktails named after famous Welsh people. Reservations essential.
Barrack Ln, CF10 2FR; 029 2023 1263

Northern Ireland

Kiwi’s Brew Bar, Portrush
No prizes for guessing the focus – brewer nights, IPA Fridays, brews and blues Sundays – but cider, gin, live music and indie film in the on-site cinema are also worth a look.
47 Main St, BT56 8BL; 028 7082 2402

Sunflower, Belfast
Traditional, simple corner pub, loved for local ales, the beer garden with pizza oven, and vibes friendly to both dogs and people.
65 Union St, BT1 2JG; 028 9023 2474

The Spaniard, Belfast
Rum, religious and Spanish icons, and live music take top billing at this Cathedral Quarter pub.
3 Skipper St, BT1 2DZ; 028 9023 2448

Scotland

Bramble, Edinburgh
The city’s pre-eminent bar; underground, understated, justifiably regarded for its cocktails and knowledgeable staff.
16A Queen St, EH2 1JE; 0131 226 6343

Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
What looks like a barbershop from the street is an underground, wood-panelled prohibition-style bar where they’re serious about mixed drinks.
79 Queen St, EH2 4NF; 0131 220 0443

Cloisters Bar, Edinburgh
In this old parsonage, a simple decor means all eyes are on the bar with its 19 taps, 12 of which change regularly.
26 Brougham St, EH3 9JH; 0131 221 9997