The finalists are:
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns
The homely feel of each of the seven sites that make up Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns instantly attracts every customer – and they are in for a treat when they visit.
Often listed buildings, Cheshire Cat’s pubs are what one would imagine if trying to describe what an idyllic inn would look like – some also offer accommodation too.
Each pub specialises in a drink variant that is different to each other such as rum at the Mainwaring Arms, New World wine at the Roebuck Inn and gin at the Cholmondeley Arms.
This is backed up by local cask and keg beers, wines and soft drinks that tend to offer a fresher option than a sugar-filled beverage.
Drake & Morgan
With sites across London and Manchester, Drake & Morgan’s bars and restaurants are as appealing to the eye as their drinks are to the tastebuds.
The cocktail-led business has plenty of collaborations with drinks brands that are used to great effect in terms of sponsoring events, for example.
Other types of drinks are not forgotten with a trio of wine suppliers that offer something customers would struggle to find at other pubs and bars, plus beers from Asahi, Gipsy Hill and Seven Bro7hers to mention a few.
A responsible approach to service means the group maintains great relations with important groups such as the City of London police, where the business has a lot of sites.
Nightcap
Having 46 sites across the country – not including the new acquisition of The Piano Works – Nightcap keeps impressive control over what it does best: cocktails at speed.
Its bars and are loud and fun and include brands such as Barrio Familia, The Cocktail Club, Tonight Josephine and the Adventure Bar Group.
Although food is served, cocktails are the undisputed king at Nightcap and staff are key to ensuring serves are accurate and completed quickly so the party never stops for customers.
Bar staff are also able to contribute to Nightcap’s offer by designing cocktails of their own that could make it on to the menus of its bars.
The Alchemist
The first sip of a drink at The Alchemist is with the eyes and there’s usually some magic to go with it too.
A lot of the drinks at this cocktail-led business involves some form of science to wow customers as drinks can change colour while others billow smoke.
Choosing suppliers is important for The Alchemist and the quality offered to it must match what it serves its customers.
It’s not just theatrical cocktails at this 24-strong group, food is huge too but wine, beers, no and low and softs are hugely important too.
Since winning this category last year, The Alchemist has introduced new sharing drinks, gone through drinks menu cycle changes and opened four sites including its first overseas, in Berlin.
