Islington council under fire for backing late-night levy
Councillors in north London have been challenged for backing plans for a late-night levy to charge bars, clubs, pubs and other licensed premises extra to tackle crime and nuisance. Islington Council has become the first London borough to vote for the levy which will impose the extra fee on licensed businesses open between midnight and …
Industry news round-up: March 3, 2014
Our weekly round-up of industry news, for February 24 to March 3, 2014 Heineken plans new ciders and flavoured beers Heineken UK is to launch New Zealand’s Old Mout Cider in the UK this month, with three flavours created for British palates: Summer Berries, Passionfruit and Apple, and Kiwi and Lime. They have ABV of …
Reyka inspires inventive spirit with new bitters
The team behind Icelandic vodka Reyka have released the first batch of a new version of their bitters made from natural Icelandic ingredients. Available exclusively to UK bars, the first batch is made up of only 300 bottles, designed for serving in cocktails or in a simple serve with Reyka vodka and ice. Icelandic Reyka …
Mamont competition offers prize of Arctic adventure
Bartenders can win a place on a voyage on a wooden sailing ship in the Arctic through a cocktail competition run for Siberian vodka Mamont. They are being asked to join forces with a chef to create a Mamont Vodka cocktail and accompanying dish inspired by Siberia and the “spirit of adventure”. The winning pair …
Jameson gears up for St Patrick’s Day parties
Pernod Ricard UK has unveiled its plans for an extensive promotional push in the on-trade for Jameson for St Patrick’s Day, highlighting the signature serve of Jameson and Ginger. This year’s point-of-sale kits for the on-trade consist of “bar bricks” – fold-out display bricks – that will promote the bottle on the back and front …
Disaronno adds a twist to Mixing Star competition
A new online “mixology portal” has been created for Disaronno liqueur as part of a twist on the brand’s annual global cocktail competition, Mixing Star. Bartenders across the UK and overseas are being urged to submit their unique twists on the Disaronno Sour serve via the new website called the Mixing Star Lab. The best …
Bartenders create new bar to ‘shake up cocktail scene’
Three leading bartenders have joined forces to launch a new east London bar promising “eclectic cocktails using gorgeous ingredients”. Made in the Shade is due to open on Wednesday (March 5) in the former premises of Bacchus bar in Hoxton Street, with ambitions to “shake up the London cocktail scene”. It has been developed by …
Barr taps into low-calorie trend with sugar-free cola
AG Barr is tapping into the fast-growing low-calorie cola market with the launch of Barr Xtra Cola in the on- and off-trade. Containing no sugar, the new variant follows the success of Barr Diet Cola, which has become the UK’s fastest-growing low-calorie cola. Adrian Troy, head of marketing for AG Barr, said: “The UK cola …
The Athenaeum bar celebrates World Tennis Day
The bar team at The Athenaeum hotel in London has created the Strawberry Whiskey Sour cocktail (pictured) to celebrate World Tennis Day. The drink was inspired by the recreation of the match between two of America’s greatest tennis players, Pete Sampras and Andre Aggasi, which takes place today (March 3) at the World Tennis Day …
Innovation on the menu at new Town Hall Hotel bar
The bar at the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green in London is to be taken over by bartender Matt Whiley and relaunched as the Peg and Patriot. Due to open in mid-April, the bar will specialise in innovative cocktails, house spirits created on site and other spirits sourced from small producers around the world. …
