News

World Class and CLASS partner for 2026

CLASS can announce it is is the 2026 trade media partner to Diageo's bartender competition, World CLASS GB.

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by Hamish Smith
29 January, 2026

News

Bars ARE eligible for new business rates relief

Bars are eligible for the Government's business rates relief designed to support pubs and music venues, CLASS understands.

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by Hamish Smith
29 January, 2026

News

Enter the Bar Manager of the Year award

The Class Bar Awards' Bar Manager of the Year award is open for entries.

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by Hamish Smith
29 January, 2026

News

Government called on to widen rates relief and provide clarity over bars’ eligibility

UK Hospitality has called on the Government to broaden its relief package for pubs and music venues to the wider hospitality industry.

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by Hamish Smith
28 January, 2026

News

Are you the UK bar industry's Front of House Star?

The Class Bar Awards' Front of House Star award is open for entries.

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by Hamish Smith
27 January, 2026

News

Katie Rouse launches Couch Surf Series

Katie Rouse of Birmingham’s Couch has launched a collaboration series that will see her partnering with like-minded, community-forward bars from around the world.

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by Hamish Smith
22 January, 2026

News

BCB London announces dates and new director of education

BCB London will return to Tobacco Dock on 11 to 12 May 2026 for the second edition of the trade show.

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by Hamish Smith
22 January, 2026

Sponsored Content

Bartenders invited to ZONIN1821 portfolio tasting

Made in Italy: ZONIN1821 invites UK bartenders to London Portfolio Tasting on 27th January.

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by Sponsored Content
22 January, 2026

News

Hospitality sheds almost 9,000 jobs in December

The Office for National Statistics has revealed that hospitality employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025, compared to November 2025, while the workforce was down 20,000 when compared to September 2025.

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by Hamish Smith
20 January, 2026

News

Are you the Emerging Bartender of the Year for 2026?

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by Hamish Smith
19 January, 2026

News

Marco Canova and Tom Dyer publish 500-page tome on flair bartending

Flair bartenders Marco Canova and Tom Dyer will publish what they describe as “the definitive book” on flair bartending on January 19.

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by Hamish Smith
16 January, 2026

News

Maura Milia returns to London for new GM role

Maura Lawrence Milia has joined Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood as general manager, joining director of bars Liana Oster.

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by Hamish Smith
15 January, 2026

Sponsored Content

Avallen launches sustainable apple vodka

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by Sponsored Content
15 January, 2026

News

New Ukrainian bar in London to serve cocktails made with 1200°C iron poker

Ukrainian operators Artem Skapenko and Alex Kostenyuk are to open a new two-level cocktail venue promising inventive techniques and visual flare on Old Street this March, with Igor Brovko – formerly of Tayēr + Elementary – joining as their head bartender.

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by Hamish Smith
08 January, 2026

News

Head bartender Angelo Sparvoli to leave American Bar at The Savoy

Angelo Sparvoli will leave his role as head bartender of the American Bar at The Savoy next week, CLASS can reveal.

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by Hamish Smith
07 January, 2026

News

Hannah Lanfear returns to The Mixing Class to launch creative arm

Spirits educators The Mixing Class have announced the launch of The Mixing Class Studios, a multidisciplinary creative consultancy.

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by Eleanor Yates
08 January, 2026

News

Rachel Orange to depart Schofield’s after five years

Rachel Orange, who led Schofield’s Bar in Manchester alongside Joe and Daniel Schofield, is to leave the bar later this month.

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by Hamish Smith
08 January, 2026

News

Josh Linfitt to leave Schweppes role

Josh Linfitt will leave his role as Schweppes prestige ambassador GB at the end of this month, he has announced.

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by Hamish Smith
07 January, 2026

News

The 10 most-read stories on CLASS in 2025

From major bar launches in Liverpool to cocktail culture debates and high-profile closures, these were the stories that captured the attention of the UK bar industry on Classbarmag.com this year.

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by Hamish Smith
07 January, 2026

News

Wild, Meehan, Whitlow and Murphy to launch Picante in Liverpool

Joe Wild and Kate Meehan have teamed up with Sally Jo Whitlow and Danny Murphy to launch a Mexican cantina-inspired pop-up for Spring-Summer 2025.

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by Hamish Smith
03 February, 2025

News

CLASS Winter 2025 launches

Editor Hamish Smith introduces the latest magazine. Access the digital magazine here. Not subscribed? Bartenders can sign up for a digital or hard copy here.

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by Hamish Smith
15 December, 2025

News

Rhum Tavern to host Christmas for bartenders

Rhum Tavern will host Christmas Day for bartenders based in London, living away from friends and family.

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by Hamish Smith
16 December, 2025

News

Funkidory in Peckam Rye to close

Neighbourhood bar Funkidory in Peckham Rye is to close, after its owners Sergio Leanza and Anna Fairhead-Benitez announced it was London’s latest hospitality casualty.

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by Hamish Smith
11 December, 2025

News

Champagne bar opens in Manchester

Manchester saw the launch of Portfolio yesterday, a ‘champagne boutique’ built around a collection of more than 250 champagnes, including rare grower bottles and vintage prestige cuvées.

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by Hamish Smith
10 December, 2025

Sponsored Content

Why premium glassware makes a difference

Darren McGinn, sales manager at Glencairn Crystal, explains why upgrading your glassware is one of the smartest investments a venue can make.

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by Sponsored Content
08 December, 2025

News

Edinburgh agaveria Chancho to close

Alex Palumbo and Rachel Bailey Palumbo have annouced they are calling time on their Leith agaveria Chancho, which opened in May 2024.

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by Hamish Smith
08 December, 2025

News

William Reed to launch Europe's 50 Best Bars

William Reed will launch the inaugural list of Europe’s 50 Best Bars next year.

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by Hamish Smith
04 December, 2025

News

The Bon Vivant in Edinburgh closes

Restaurant-bar The Bon Vivant on Thistle Street in Edinburgh has announced it has closed.

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by Hamish Smith
02 December, 2025

Sponsored Content

120 years of botanical brewing – why Fentimans Ginger Beer is still setting the standard

For over a century, Fentimans famous Ginger Beer has been a firm favourite among consumers across the world thanks to its bold flavour and fiery kick.

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by Sponsored Content
04 December, 2025

News

Pippa Guy and Sebastiano Fileccia to open Bristol bar

Pippa Guy and Sebastiano Fileccia will launch their debut bar in Bristol this winter, CLASS can exclusively reveal.

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by Hamish Smith
28 November, 2025