The family-run cocktail bar in Manchester named the best in the north yet again

A cocktail bar in the city centre has been named the best in the north for the second time in months.

In February, Schofield’s Bar, on Little Quay Street, was named number one in Franklin & Sons Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards where it was recognised for its art deco surroundings of dark wood and navy leather.

Now, the family-run bar, run by brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, has received another accolade at the CLASS Bar Awards 2024 earlier this week. The leading awards ceremony in the industry, the awards honour the best bars and bartenders across the country.

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Schofield’s Bar was named Best Bar in the North, beating out competition from fellow Manchester venues Blinker, Project Halcyon Distillery and Speak in Code. Since opening in 2021 on the corner of the Grade II-listed Sunlight House, the bar was previously named best bar in the UK at the awards ceremony for two years running.

Schofield’s Bar serves a range of classic cocktails, alongside crafted in-house specials, wines, beers, Champagne and food. In addition to the likes of Bellini’s, Manhattan’s, and Daiquiri’s, the bar’s cocktail menu also features specialities like the Snowball à la Schofield’s Bar, made of Advocaat, Courvoisier VSOP Cognac and lime.

Since debuting in 2023, the CLASS Awards are the longest-running UK bar industry celebration. Other winners on the night included Satan’s Whiskers in London being named the Bar of the Year and Kwãnt in London receiving both the New Bar of the Year prize and the Bar Food Menu of the Year award.

The majority of the awards were decided by a vote from the 'Class Collective', a panel of 140 bar industry experts in the UK drawn together from 20 towns and cities.

Hamish Smith, editor of CLASS and co-host of the CLASS Bar Awards, said: “This year felt like a return to form for London, which seems to be in a flourish of regeneration – it took some of the big awards of the night, not least Bar of the Year, New Bar of the Year, Bar Manager of the Year and Outstanding Contribution.

“Yet, talent continues to shine across the country, with bars and bartenders from Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh taking home awards. And while we have had 21 winners take to stage at the CLASS Bar Awards this year, all of our 82 finalists have reason to celebrate. Each and every one of them are driving the UK bar industry forwards.”

Schofield's Bar is on 3 Little Quay Street, Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ.