CELEBRATE LEEDS’ BEST BARS: DIAGEO WORLD CLASS COCKTAIL FESTIVAL IS BACK

Five Leeds bartenders have been included in the Top 100 Bartender list

(Main image – Alex Holmes at Empire Cafe)

(Melissa Wyper at Farrands Bar)

The Diageo World Class GB Cocktail Festival returns this April, offering two weeks of expertly crafted, limited-edition cocktail menus at five of Leeds’ best bars. Designed to showcase the exceptional talent of Britain’s top bartenders who have been named within the Top 100 finalists of Diageo World Class 2025, this festival champions local bar scenes and the communities that make them so special, elevating cocktail culture nationwide.

The World Class GB Cocktail Festival 2025 runs from 14th to 27th April, popping up at Leed’s bars including Farrands Bar, Banyan Leeds, Empire Cafe, Shears Yard and Below Stairs Bar. Each bar will serve up a bespoke menu of three limited edition cocktails, featuring Don Julio tequila, The Singleton Whisky or Seedlip.

Representing the city are Melissa Wyper (Farrands Bar, Leeds); Aidan Beaumont (Arc Inspiration, Leeds); Alex Holmes (Empire Cafe, Leeds); Alex Woods (Shears Yard, Leeds); and Lottie Barnard (Below Stairs Bar, Leeds).

(Alex Wood at Shear’s Yard)

Each bar will feature a curated menu of three limited-edition cocktails, including:

• Melissa Wyper’s HOT TO GO!, a reimagined Hot Toddy with Singleton 12, fig honey, Cynar Amaro, and berry tea.
• Aidan Beaumont’s Triangular Rose blends his Yorkshire roots with Mexican flavours, mixing blanco tequila with tart rhubarb, dragonfruit, prickly pear liqueur, and bay leaf infusion for a bold, balanced sip
• Alex Holme’s Fortune Favours the Brave surprises with Singleton 12, soy sauce soda, foraged water mint, woodruff, and violet liqueur, served with a fortune cookie for an interactive touch

“The talent on show across the country this year has been fantastic to see”, says Jo Last, Diageo GB’s Advocacy Manager. “It’s time to get out and show your local bars how much you love them! We have  passionate bartenders showcasing their unique talents in some of the best bars in Leeds and Sheffield. Let’s show them all some support.”

(Lottie Barnard at Below Stairs)

Only bars with one or more bartenders featuring in the Top 100  for Diageo’s World Class GB cocktail competition are part of the World Class Cocktail Festival. World Class GB cocktail competition is dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and celebrating the next generation of bartending talent in Great Britain. The festival not only highlights the skill and creativity of the Top 100 bartenders but also champions the bars they represent – encouraging cocktail enthusiasts across Yorkshire to explore and support their local venue.

(Aiden Beaumont at Arc Inspiration)

The full list of participating bars across the country can also be found here: https://www.thebar.com/en-gb/worldclasscocktailfestival/all-participating-bars

Recognised as the world’s premier cocktail competition, the Diageo World Class Competition is a global showcase of bartending excellence, celebrating creativity, hospitality, and cocktail culture. For more information, please visit https://www.thebar.com/en-gb/worldclasscocktailfestival  and follow @thebargb on social media.