If you’re after a range of crazy cocktails in Derbyshire, it seems that the place to be is the city centre.
Derby offers a variety of bars all serving up their unusual concoctions and twists on the classics by some very talented mixologists who certainly know their stuff about what they do, many of them being able to make something new up on the spot specifically to your taste. Impressive right!?
I’ve put together my pick of the best to give some inspiration for your next night out.
Putting the salsa into The Stand, visiting Revolucion De Cuba is like taking a trip across the Atlantic for a very small fraction of the cost. Their impressive cocktail masters undergo an intense training course to enable them to create authentic Cuban cocktails for customers and you can even have a go yourself by taking part in a masterclass. I’ve completed one myself and had so much fun. As you can probably guess, Rum is a popular ingredient. Their tropical punch is an excellent choice.
Travel to a tiki paradise at Lola Lo in the heart of Derby’s nightlife scene with the Island Grill for some tropical treats and a bar filled with flower garlands and palm trees. You can get all kinds of quirky drinks here such as a ‘Zombie’ in your very own tiki mug or a watermelon fish bowl. Their Cocktails & Dreams menu has so much choice that there’s something for everyone to enjoy in different surroundings.
Here at FatCat’s you can get 2 for 1 cocktails all day every day so you can see why it’s a popular choice for many. Don’t worry though, quality is certainly not compromised and you’ll be amazed at the creations their bartenders come up with. You have all of the classics such as Mojitos and Long Island Iced Tea then the unique ones like Apple and Blackberry Crumble. Alcohol milkshakes are available too – delicious!
I’m pretty sure most people have been in a Revolution in one city or another. Their bar in Derby is just next door to Revolucion De Cuba and if you hadn’t guessed already, they’re part of the same company. Having recently undergone a renovation, Revolution is a great place to visit for any night out such as casual drinks in style, a party or some great food (which is 50% off on Mondays). Their cocktail menu has just been updated ready for summer and contains plenty of refreshing, fruity options.
According to the Blacksmith’s Lounge, this is the place to be for a truly memorable cocktail experience. Located along Sadler Gate on the ground floor of a beautifully restored listed building, it’s in a prime central location. With live music being very popular here, especially at weekends, it’s an excellent place to relax and be looked after by their friendly staff in their informal cocktail bar.
With eight whole pages of their drinks menu dedicated to cocktails and ingredients to suit every palate, it’s very unlikely that you will struggle to find one for you.
If you’ve been to The Distillery before, you’ll know it’s pretty much all about the Whisky here. The upstairs cocktail lounge is where you want to be as it is here where the magic happens. The Distillery use only the best ingredients for their cocktails using some of the finest spirits from across the globe. It makes them a little pricier than other bars but it’s all about quality here. Despite a lengthy menu, if you’re still struggling to choose, just let the bartender know what flavours you like and they’ll make you something you’ll be sure to love.