The Soho Hotel is preparing for the second series of Bars of Britain, a series of one-night takeovers from drinks venues across the country.
Following the inaugural series last year, four more bars will make their way to London later this month for the week of pop ups, including Ojo Rojo, Schofield’s Bar, KiKi Lounge and The Gate.
Each bar will take over Refuel at The Soho Hotel for one night only, serving up a short menu of their signatures. Tucked away between Dean Street and Wardour Street, the bar’s name takes inspiration from the hotel’s former life as a car park.
In honour of the hotel’s 20th anniversary, joining the team will be ex-bartender Zoran Peric, who opened the bar in September 2004 and Chris Amey who joined in 2007. Guests can expect signatures from their time heading up the bar including the Refuel Martini and the Soho Sensation with Aluna Coconut Rum, crème de pêche, peach and elderflower.
Joining The Soho Hotel in September is Ojo Rojo, a mezcal and tequila bar located in the heart of Bournemouth which has for the last three years made it into the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Beginning as a street food brand in Mexico, the founders ‘bottled’ and brought back the essence of Mexico to the UK in 2016.
Guests can expect a modern cocktail menu that explores the diversity of agave spirits, with drinks to include Picante Verde, featuring Vivir Blanco Tequila, chilli liqueur, lime, jalapeño syrup, cucumber juice and Tajín.
Also on the lineup, is Manchester’s Schofield’s Bar. With over 30 years of experience collectively, brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield always had a vision to return to their home city to open the eponymous venue in 2021.
Gracing the corner of the art deco Sunlight House, the bar harks back to the grand and luxurious bars of the 1930s, known for warm hospitality and classic cocktails. Guests will be served up the likes of the William Wallace, a drink mixed with Stauning HØST Whisky, English sweet vermouth, Pedro Ximénez and orange bitters.
Meanwhile, KiKi Lounge will present signatures such as the Queenie Martini, a pour of Portobello Savoury Gin, Queenie Shell Vermouth, spiral wrack and roe oil. The tropical bar on the not-so-tropical Isle of Man has been inspired by the legacy of pioneering American tiki bars but with a decidedly millennial flourish.
Owners Jamie Lewis and Drew Fleming, the inaugural winner of the 50 Best The Blend scholarship from The World’s 50 Best Bars, have worked to create the hideaway on Douglas’ North Quay, a smugglers’ cove of pop-culture ephemera modelled on the quintessential beach bar, with an menu marrying tropical tradition with contemporary technique.
Finally, is The Gate, a community-focused, modern Scottish pub with a commitment to serving expertly crafted drinks in a classic pub setting.
Founded in 2019 by Andy Gemmell, who has a passion for whisky, cocktails, and Scottish produce, The Gate is dedicated to delivering the finest Scottish hospitality every time you step through its yellow door. On the menu is the Figure it Out, made with Avallen, peach liqueur, Parafante and chocolate bitters.
