Hamish Smith
@fortnums Drink Writer of the Year; Editor @Classbarmag; @50Bestbars Senior Chair for UK & Ireland; Bars Editor @Drinksintmag,

We are pleased to share that we have been named a Top 10 Nominee for Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication at the 2026 Spirited Awards by @tales_of_the_cocktail 🍸
A massive thank you to everyone who reads, supports, collaborates and champions what we do and thank you @tales_of_the_cocktail for the nomination 🫶

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The CLASS Cup ⚽🍸
What a day.
Supported by @sipsmith, the inaugural CLASS Cup brought together the UK bartender community for a little healthy competition ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards and delivered everything we’d hoped for: big energy, brilliant teamwork and patriotism.
Huge thanks to our captains for leading the charge:
🏴 Iain McPherson (@pandaandsons) for Scotland
🏴 Kevin Armstrong (@satans_whiskers) for England South
🏴 Katie Rouse (@couchbirmingham) for the Midlands
🏴 Cressie Lawlor (@mancity) for the North
🏴 Tani Hasa (@lab22cardiff) for Wales
🏴 Daniel Oats (@thegarrickbar) for Northern Ireland
A proper celebration of community, connection and the healthier side of hospitality. But of course there was also a winner.
Congratulations 🏴 Scotland, who beat England (South) in the final.
Same time next year?

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

The Tuesday Roast 🔥
Held during our very first CLASS Week and what a night it was - with more than 100 of you joining us at @parasolbar. Add martinis by @boatyarddistillery ahead of the #CLASSBarAwards 🍸 and frankly, where else would anyone want to be?
Huge thanks to @jakepatrick01 for delivering a proper roasting - some of us may never recover.

We’re excited to reveal the winners of the highly anticipated CLASS Bar Awards 2026 🏆✨
Since launching in 2003, the CLASS Bar Awards have proudly remained the UK bar industry’s longest-running celebration🍸🎉
A huge congratulations to this year’s incredible winners and finalists who continue to raise the bar across the industry.
#CLASSBarAwards
LINK IN BIO
📸 @hadrien.haumont.photography
It was hard fought but the winner of the inaugural CLASS Cup is….Scotland!
Wales, Northern Ireland, England - Midlands, North and South - thanks to all who took part. And to @Sipsmith for the support.
Now for the Class Bar Awards!
It was hard fought but the winner of the inaugural CLASS Cup is….Scotland!
Wales, Northern Ireland, England - Midlands, North and South - thanks to all who took part. And to @Sipsmith for the support.
Now for the Class Bar Awards!

THE ROAD TO THR FINAL
Whittling down from 400 entries to 10, CLASS was there to see the road to the @worldclassgreatbritain regional finals. Read our report on the World Class x Schweppes Judging Roadshow on @classbarmag. Link in BIO.
Next up: the GB final.

Kick off CLASS Week in style ✨🥂
The Tuesday Roast is the comedy curtain raiser to the more serious business of the @classbarmag Awards.
The ringmaster of the Roast is former bartender and Class columnist turned comedian @jakepatrick01 - there’s no one better to tease some of the looser seams of the UK bar scene.
Taking place at @parasolbar in collaboration with @boatyarddistillery Gin (expect Martinis!), it’s open to the industry on a first come, first served basis - sign up link in bio (https://forms.gle/7Hq3DAXPJGC5UNTP6)
5th may, 7pm - 10pm
Parasol N16 7XJ
-————————
JOIN US FOR THE CLASS CUP ⚽️
The CLASS Cup is a football tournament bringing together the UK bartender community to compete for their country, network, and celebrate the healthier side of hospitality.
A home nations round-robin tournament, the CLASS Cup will take place the day of the CLASS Bar Awards at the nearby @powerleague_vauxhall
@pandaandsons’ @thecocktailpanda will captain Scotland, @satans_whiskers’ @kev__armstrong will lead out England’s South region, while @krouse89 of @couchstirchleyb30 heads up the Midlands and @cressidalawlor is captain for the North. @tani_24 of @lab22cardiff will captain Wales, while CBAs Chair @whiskey4breakfast will wear the armband for Northern Ireland.
Captains have now selected their teams, but please join us and lend your support! No need to register, just show up. Drinks will be provided by @sipsmith
—————————
Join us at @artesianbarlondon as we celebrate with @moetchandon cocktails, live music and seriously good vibes.
📍 4 May | From 6PM
🎶 Walk-ins welcome
#CLASSWeek

Kick off CLASS Week in style ✨🥂
The Tuesday Roast is the comedy curtain raiser to the more serious business of the @classbarmag Awards.
The ringmaster of the Roast is former bartender and Class columnist turned comedian @jakepatrick01 - there’s no one better to tease some of the looser seams of the UK bar scene.
Taking place at @parasolbar in collaboration with @boatyarddistillery Gin (expect Martinis!), it’s open to the industry on a first come, first served basis - sign up link in bio (https://forms.gle/7Hq3DAXPJGC5UNTP6)
5th may, 7pm - 10pm
Parasol N16 7XJ
-————————
JOIN US FOR THE CLASS CUP ⚽️
The CLASS Cup is a football tournament bringing together the UK bartender community to compete for their country, network, and celebrate the healthier side of hospitality.
A home nations round-robin tournament, the CLASS Cup will take place the day of the CLASS Bar Awards at the nearby @powerleague_vauxhall
@pandaandsons’ @thecocktailpanda will captain Scotland, @satans_whiskers’ @kev__armstrong will lead out England’s South region, while @krouse89 of @couchstirchleyb30 heads up the Midlands and @cressidalawlor is captain for the North. @tani_24 of @lab22cardiff will captain Wales, while CBAs Chair @whiskey4breakfast will wear the armband for Northern Ireland.
Captains have now selected their teams, but please join us and lend your support! No need to register, just show up. Drinks will be provided by @sipsmith
—————————
Join us at @artesianbarlondon as we celebrate with @moetchandon cocktails, live music and seriously good vibes.
📍 4 May | From 6PM
🎶 Walk-ins welcome
#CLASSWeek

Kick off CLASS Week in style ✨🥂
The Tuesday Roast is the comedy curtain raiser to the more serious business of the @classbarmag Awards.
The ringmaster of the Roast is former bartender and Class columnist turned comedian @jakepatrick01 - there’s no one better to tease some of the looser seams of the UK bar scene.
Taking place at @parasolbar in collaboration with @boatyarddistillery Gin (expect Martinis!), it’s open to the industry on a first come, first served basis - sign up link in bio (https://forms.gle/7Hq3DAXPJGC5UNTP6)
5th may, 7pm - 10pm
Parasol N16 7XJ
-————————
JOIN US FOR THE CLASS CUP ⚽️
The CLASS Cup is a football tournament bringing together the UK bartender community to compete for their country, network, and celebrate the healthier side of hospitality.
A home nations round-robin tournament, the CLASS Cup will take place the day of the CLASS Bar Awards at the nearby @powerleague_vauxhall
@pandaandsons’ @thecocktailpanda will captain Scotland, @satans_whiskers’ @kev__armstrong will lead out England’s South region, while @krouse89 of @couchstirchleyb30 heads up the Midlands and @cressidalawlor is captain for the North. @tani_24 of @lab22cardiff will captain Wales, while CBAs Chair @whiskey4breakfast will wear the armband for Northern Ireland.
Captains have now selected their teams, but please join us and lend your support! No need to register, just show up. Drinks will be provided by @sipsmith
—————————
Join us at @artesianbarlondon as we celebrate with @moetchandon cocktails, live music and seriously good vibes.
📍 4 May | From 6PM
🎶 Walk-ins welcome
#CLASSWeek

Kick off CLASS Week in style ✨🥂
The Tuesday Roast is the comedy curtain raiser to the more serious business of the @classbarmag Awards.
The ringmaster of the Roast is former bartender and Class columnist turned comedian @jakepatrick01 - there’s no one better to tease some of the looser seams of the UK bar scene.
Taking place at @parasolbar in collaboration with @boatyarddistillery Gin (expect Martinis!), it’s open to the industry on a first come, first served basis - sign up link in bio (https://forms.gle/7Hq3DAXPJGC5UNTP6)
5th may, 7pm - 10pm
Parasol N16 7XJ
-————————
JOIN US FOR THE CLASS CUP ⚽️
The CLASS Cup is a football tournament bringing together the UK bartender community to compete for their country, network, and celebrate the healthier side of hospitality.
A home nations round-robin tournament, the CLASS Cup will take place the day of the CLASS Bar Awards at the nearby @powerleague_vauxhall
@pandaandsons’ @thecocktailpanda will captain Scotland, @satans_whiskers’ @kev__armstrong will lead out England’s South region, while @krouse89 of @couchstirchleyb30 heads up the Midlands and @cressidalawlor is captain for the North. @tani_24 of @lab22cardiff will captain Wales, while CBAs Chair @whiskey4breakfast will wear the armband for Northern Ireland.
Captains have now selected their teams, but please join us and lend your support! No need to register, just show up. Drinks will be provided by @sipsmith
—————————
Join us at @artesianbarlondon as we celebrate with @moetchandon cocktails, live music and seriously good vibes.
📍 4 May | From 6PM
🎶 Walk-ins welcome
#CLASSWeek

Kick off CLASS Week in style ✨🥂
The Tuesday Roast is the comedy curtain raiser to the more serious business of the @classbarmag Awards.
The ringmaster of the Roast is former bartender and Class columnist turned comedian @jakepatrick01 - there’s no one better to tease some of the looser seams of the UK bar scene.
Taking place at @parasolbar in collaboration with @boatyarddistillery Gin (expect Martinis!), it’s open to the industry on a first come, first served basis - sign up link in bio (https://forms.gle/7Hq3DAXPJGC5UNTP6)
5th may, 7pm - 10pm
Parasol N16 7XJ
-————————
JOIN US FOR THE CLASS CUP ⚽️
The CLASS Cup is a football tournament bringing together the UK bartender community to compete for their country, network, and celebrate the healthier side of hospitality.
A home nations round-robin tournament, the CLASS Cup will take place the day of the CLASS Bar Awards at the nearby @powerleague_vauxhall
@pandaandsons’ @thecocktailpanda will captain Scotland, @satans_whiskers’ @kev__armstrong will lead out England’s South region, while @krouse89 of @couchstirchleyb30 heads up the Midlands and @cressidalawlor is captain for the North. @tani_24 of @lab22cardiff will captain Wales, while CBAs Chair @whiskey4breakfast will wear the armband for Northern Ireland.
Captains have now selected their teams, but please join us and lend your support! No need to register, just show up. Drinks will be provided by @sipsmith
—————————
Join us at @artesianbarlondon as we celebrate with @moetchandon cocktails, live music and seriously good vibes.
📍 4 May | From 6PM
🎶 Walk-ins welcome
#CLASSWeek

I’m just so judgy.
Congrats to this year’s @fortnums winners. It was a particular pleasure to pass the Drink Writer of the Year baton to @joeldram, while also among the drink writer winners were @millie_milliken for Debut Drink Book and @tristanstephenson for Drink Book.
I wish them all the success in the world. Especially with tomorrow morning, which didn’t go well for me this time last year. The I in my award very much replaced with a U.
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