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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Entertainment
Sean Murphy

Two Glasgow cocktail bars named in UK's top 50 favourites for 2023

When it comes to cocktails, Glasgow has often been overshadowed by Edinburgh's award-winning scene.

But over the past decade or so, the resurgence of our own cocktail scene led by the likes of the Kelvingrove Café and the Gate has given us something to shout about.

And now two of our newer bars have just been named among the UK's very best, proving that Glasgow can mix it (pun intended) with the best of them when it comes to creating the very best drinks.

Each year, over 100 industry experts, from bartenders and owners, to drinks writers and influencers, scour the country to find and vote for their favourite venues.

Lunar in Glasgow's south side (Lunar/Instagram)

READ NEXT: Inside hidden Glasgow bar The Absent Ear and the cocktails that earned drink den Top 50 UK spot

And returning to the listing for the second year in a row, the Absent Ear is back in the Franklin & Sons UK top 50 moving up a place to 25.

While surprise entry, Lunar – one of the southside's hidden gems – has also impressed judges enough to join them on the prestigious shortlist.

Writing about the popular speakeasy-style Absent Ear, Franklin & Sons wrote: "Headed by Rhuaridh Paul, expect flamboyant cocktails served with ample theatre and much fun.

"While the drinks frequently change, the have included a carrot take on the Bloody Mary – the Carrot and Coriander Mary, which is served in a soup bowl and followed by a fresh grinder of pepper from one of the largest grinders in existence.

"There is also the Tiramisu Flip, made with egg, dark rum, col brew coffee and cherry nut syrup."

And, raving about the city's latest entry to the list in Strathbungo, Lunar, the judging team wrote that it has "powered from strength to strength" since it opened last September, adding: "The brainchild of the owner behind Grunting Growler beer shop Jehad Hatu, has a funky selection of drinks on offer that won’t break the bank, starting at £7 for a sweet tea serve that can be ordered with or without alcohol.

"Cocktails range from rich and chocolatey to smoky, bitter and complex to tart and tropical, so whatever your taste, there’s something on offer.

"If you’re looking to spice up your visit opt for the Rattlesnake – a concoction made with house-infused chilli vodka, watermelon syrup and vanilla then topped with soda."

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