Top 10 destination bars

For when a pint in a local pub just isn’t enough, here are ten of the best ‘destination bars’. These places are attractions in their own right either for their sense of history, unique setting or simply having a real wow factor…


Bar Four, Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool
Fancy a Honey Can't Buy Me Love or Rocky Raspberry Racoon? You’ll find these and other Fab Four themed cocktails at the bar of the Beatles-inspired Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool. You might think this all might be a bit tacky, but the wood panelled walls, luxury leather arm chairs and Italian marble are pure class. Look out for the large artworks by Paul Ygartua who attended Liverpool Art College with John Lennon.
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No Sign Wine Bar, Swansea
A must for fans of Dylan Thomas, the No Sign Wine Bar was a favourite with the poet who used to drink here in the 1930s. It appears as the ‘Wine Vaults’ in his story The Followers and retains much of its period charm. As well as a vast selection of wines it also serves excellent ale.
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Crown Bar, Belfast
The Crown Bar is one of the original Victorian ‘Gin Palaces’, pubs decorated in lavish style where ordinary folks could experience some real luxury. So special, in fact, is the Crown Bar that, in 1978, it was purchased by the National Trust so it could be preserved for future generations. Look out for the jewel-like etched and stained glass, elaborate mosaic floors and the antique bell system once used for alerting staff.
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Café Royal, Edinburgh
Opened in 1863, Edinburgh’s Café Royal is a listed bar and restaurant whose period features make drinking here a treat. Sup a whisky and enjoy an oyster or two amid elaborate Victorian plasterwork, stained glass and unique Doulton ceramic murals which depict scenes from science and industry.
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May Fair Hotel, London
Dress in your best for a night at the glamorous bar of the May Fair Hotel. Over 40 cocktails are served in an atmosphere of chic sophistication. If you’re feeling flush, try a May Fair Martini at £250 per glass (made with Richard Hennessey cognac, vanilla infused sugar, almond essence, black cherry essence and Moet & Chandon).

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