highlightCategory: Drink

Creative cocktails, cool brews and local haunts

Fountain of Brewth

I’m standing in the middle of a Slovenian town, holding a sleek little glass with a microchip in it, and I’ve just poured myself a beer, from a fountain. Let me repeat that slowly for those at the back still sipping lukewarm lager from a can: A beer fountain. In a public park. Flowing not with water, but with glorious, hoppy, golden nectar straight from the taps of local Slovenian breweries. Žalec, you beautiful, boozy genius.

Why every town on Earth hasn’t adopted this idea is beyond me. Libraries? Nice. Museums? Great. But a communal beer-dispensing installation in the local park? Now that’s culture.

They call it the Green Gold Beer Fountain, which sounds like something a leprechaun might bathe in, but it’s actually a tribute to the hops that grow in abundance in this region. The Styrian region of Slovenia has been growing hops since the Middle Ages, and Žalec, the self-proclaimed hop capital, thought: “You know what this history needs? A public drinking installation.”

You pay a few euros for this specially designed glass with a built-in chip (because it’s 2025 and even your pint glass is smarter than you), and you get six pours of different local brews straight from the futuristic beer taps poking out of polished steel columns. It’s like a high-tech pagan shrine dedicated to lager. I bow.

First pour: a crisp pilsner that makes my tastebuds do a little jig. Second: a punchy IPA that drops a hop bomb bigger than David Hasslehoff! I’m only two drinks in and already questioning everything I know about urban planning (in all honesty I don’t know much). Why do we have public fountains spitting out chlorinated water when they could be gently burping out craft beer instead?

The locals stroll past like this is the most normal thing in the world. There’s a pensioner reading a newspaper on a bench while a couple in matching Lycra refill their glasses post-bike ride. A man walks his dog with one hand and pulls a lager with the other.

“Respect!” I say, raising my glass to cheers him.  He gives me a look as if to say “another overexcited tourist.”

Of course, I try them all. One beer has hints of caramel and smoke. Another is so light and citrusy I swear I hear tropical birds chirping in my ears. This isn’t just a gimmick, it’s seriously good beer. By my fourth pour, I’m contemplating buying real estate in Žalec. By the fifth, I’ve decided to start a grassroots movement to install beer fountains in every city back home. Imagine knocking off work on a Friday, strolling into the city square, tapping your glass to a gleaming steel column, and pouring a fresh lager straight into your soul. Heaven. Urban bliss. Social cohesion, one pour at a time.

By my sixth (and tragically final) beer, I’m genuinely emotional. I mean, sure, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Sydney has the Opera House, and New York has almost everything (I love New York), but Žalec? Žalec has a beer fountain, and frankly, it wins. Every town deserves this. Every town needs this. Forget potholes and traffic congestion—give the people what they want: beer on tap in the heart of the city. A place to gather, to taste, to toast, and to tell your mates, “You’ll never believe what I found in Slovenia…”

And then, with a sly grin and a clink of your chipped-glass goblet, you tell them: “It was a beer fountain.”

Have a drink at Charm’d Irish Pop-up Bar

Charm’d Irish Bar in Chicago isn’t just your average pop-up watering hole; you better leave your expectations at the Elphaba-fied door because this patriotic bar is an experience.

Step inside and it’s like someone took every inch of Irish pub kitsch, cranked it up to eleven, and slapped it on the walls. Either that or the guys behind Charm’d found a leprechaun, gave it too many sweet treats, took it for a spin on the Maxx Force coaster and let it throw up its guts all over the place in the name of ‘décor’.

You’ll find neon shamrocks, garish green everything, and enough Guinness memorabilia to make you wonder if you’ve accidentally wandered into a leprechaun’s bachelor pad (you probably have). Think of it as a visual assault of whimsy and chaos, where no square inch is left unadorned with something zany.

But let’s talk drinks. Charm’d knows what it’s doing behind the bar. The beer selection is stout-heavy (duh), with plenty of local craft options thrown in for good measure. Whether you’re sinking a pint of Guinness or sipping a cheeky Irish whiskey, you’ll be toasting to the fact that this bar is unapologetically Irish.

If you’re feeling adventurous, order one of their over-the-top cocktails like the “Pot O’ Gold,” a sugary concoction that’ll leave you questioning your life choices in the best way possible. And the jello shots? Well, let’s just say they come in a rainbow of colours, likely made to match the colour wheel of Ireland itself.

But let’s be real: it’s not just about the drinks. It’s about the vibe. The music’s loud, the energy’s wild and the people are as rowdy as a stag party in Dublin. So, grab a drink, let the madness sweep you away, and try not to spill it on your shamrock-covered shirt.

Hop on a unique beer tour in San Diego

If you’re going to drink your way through San Diego’s legendary craft beer scene, you might as well do it in a vintage Swiss Safari vehicle with six wheels and zero shame. Welcome to Scavengers Beer Tours, where beer tasting meets off-road adventure.

First off, let’s talk about the ride. This beast of a vehicle is half military transport, half beer chariot, and fully guaranteed to make pedestrians jealous as you roll past, sipping an ice-cold road beer (yes, that’s allowed).

With an open-air design, the wind in your hair, and a cooler stocked with drinks between brewery stops, this isn’t just a tour – it’s a moving party with seat belts.

Now for the important part, the beer. San Diego has over 150 breweries, and Scavengers curates a killer lineup, from hop-heavy IPAs to smooth stouts and everything in between. Expect stops at top-tier spots like Ballast Point, Modern Times, or Belching Beaver, where you’ll sip, sample, and pretend you’re a craft beer connoisseur while nodding knowingly at words like “mouthfeel” and “hoppy finish.”

Drinking beer is great, but drinking beer while being chauffeured in an absolute unit of a vehicle is next-level. Whether you bring friends or make new ones on the tour, one thing’s certain; you’ll end the day full, buzzed, and seriously considering buying your own safari truck.

Order a cocktail at Engel

No, it wasn’t sent straight from heaven, but London’s hottest bar Engel may as well have been thanks to their crafty cocktails that are so good, they’ll have you seeing those pearly white gates. But saying these mini masterpieces are just drinks would be an understatement of the century.

Case in point; the Der Prinz Von Berlin, a cocktail as eccentric and bold as its namesake, the eaglet 20th-century German artist George Grosz. This guy wasn’t just an artist; he was the artistic equivalent of a mic drop.

A Dada man with a taste for satire and a paintbrush aimed squarely at social injustice, Grosz fought corruption not with his fists, but with canvases that screamed louder than any politician. He was quickly given the nickname ‘Der Prinz Von Berlin’.

Engel’s bottled that rebellious energy and come up with a concoction that’s liquid rebellion, shaking up a blend as daring as Grosz’s brushstrokes. The cocktail practically struts over to your table, oozing rizz and creative flair – think smoky undertones, a zing of unexpected sharpness (from the lemon verbena infused vodka) and a whisper of sweetness that keeps your tastebuds coming back for more.

But, if all of that sweetness is a little too much for you, you can change the cocktail’s flavour profile. How you ask? The cocktail is served with its very own paintbrush and colour palette, and each colour on that palette is a different flavour. Meaning you can brush different colours (flavours) onto the lip of your glass if you want to add a touch more citrus or an extra dash of the sugary stuff.

Who wants to go back to basics when you can be a Prinz for the night?

Go screen-free at LUCA

No, you didn’t misread. LUCA restaurant in London has had just about enough of its zombie-fied customers staring at their phones while drinking a hot choc or a soy cap. So, they’ve transformed their Clerkenwell bar space into ‘The Reading Room’, banning all mobile phones, tablets, and laptops (and any other digital devices you can think of) in collaboration with lifestyle mag, Monocle.
It might sound a little radical (like, what if there’s an emergency?!), but we kinda like the idea of starting our day with a little less screen time (and a lot more socialising).

Operating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from now ‘til we don’t know when, the bar-turned-cutest-café-ever will be handing out complimentary coffees, pastries that’ll go perfectly with the almond latte you order every morning, and the latest issue of Monocle (no surprises there), The Forecast or the Alpino Newspaper.

But this place’s charm doesn’t just stop at breakfast.

While you won’t be made to put your phone away, LUCA’s Michelin-star restaurant will make you forget all about how many views (or lack thereof) your latest Tiktok vid got with its superb Italian cuisine, served from midday.

At the hands of masterchef Rob Chambers, the menu will instantly have you salivating with thoughts of pork sausage rigatoni, creamy burrata and parmesan fries. And don’t get us started on the décor. One look at the dark wooden floorboards, comfy booth seating and moody colour palette are enough to have us booking a recurring reservation.

Sip on sustainability at Scribe

We reckon nothing tastes stronger than a cocktail with a side of conscience and lucky for everyone, the geniuses over at FCC Angkor by Avani and Herbal Kulen Gin have come up with a bottle that’s as good for the planet as it is for your palette.

It’s at Scribe Bar, a place where you can easily embark on a sensory journey while also immersing yourself in the rich, diverse and downright mouthwatering flavours of Cambodia.

But Herbal Kulen Gin is no ordinary gin. Crafted by the eco-visionary Unn “Pari” Sophary, this planet-saving spirit will only be produced in a small batch (we hear that, and we think exclusive) and offers sippers the chance to taste the soul of Cambodia – think lemongrass and citronella.

You might be thinking, ‘But where does sustainability come into this?’ and we’re so glad you asked. Pari has a deep commitment to reforesting the land at the foot of the Kulen Mountains, and so this special gin pays homage to the country’s vibrant ecosystem and sustainable practices. And now you get to taste that commitment in every cocktail at Scribe.

Try the Cambodian Negroni – a spicy, citrusy twist on the classic – or wet your lips with an Apsara Sour full of regional botanicals such as butterfly pea tea, lemongrass syrup and lime juice. No matter what drink you choose, this collaboration gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘responsible drinking’. We’ll cheers to that.

Party it up at SIN

Get ready to elevate your nights in Bangkok – literally. The newest, coolest, and one of the highest (26 floors high to be exact) rooftop bars is almost here and we simply can’t wait for its private lift doors to open in mid November.

SIN, perched atop the Avani + Riverside Bangkok Hotel, is a place where mischief meets a little magic, serving up jaw dropping 360-degree views of the pulsating city’s sparkling skyline and the nearby Chao Phraya River. But this isn’t your average rooftop lounge.

The vibe at SIN is equal parts glitz and grit with neon-lit corners, plush seating and an aesthetic that influencers will surely lust after. And we haven’t even mentioned the cocktails yet, although we’re sure they’ll end up on more than one said influencer’s Instagram feed.

Every cocktail is a masterpiece and has been expertly crafted by award-winning mixologist, Brian Gonzalez Fernandez. Forget espresso martinis and spicy margs, SIN promises alcoholic beverages inspired by themes of sin (go figure) and desire with a Thai twist.

Embracing your cravings is easy when you have a choice of 10 signature cocktails including ‘Forbidden Nectar’, a bourbon caramel delight, and the ‘Kiss of Euphoria’, a crafty concoction combining tequila with kiwi and Cointreau. And let’s not forget the curated menu of light, contemporary bites to ensure the drinks go down way easier than they should – think oysters served with wasabi mayonnaise and wagyu beef tartare.

But there’s a cherry on top (if you still have room). The bar will also play host to a number of regional and international DJs including British DJ of Thai descent, Tek Harrington, and techno mastermind, Sunday Sundae, to keep the place buzzing until the early hours. Bangkok’s really showing the world how to do rooftop bars properly with this one.

The 411

Swap your Time To Go Home Tuesdays for the way more satisfying Wall Street Wednesdays at the 411 – the perfect mid-week pick-me-up.

Sure, it looks like your average London hot spot on the outside, but on the inside, the prices of drinks go up and do in the same way the stock market does. We’re travel nerds, not finance bros, but this concept is something we can definitely get behind.

It works on popularity. If a drink is being ordered by everyone who walks through the door, its price will go up. If a drink is being neglected as much as your house plants, then the price goes down. And there are screens positioned throughout the bar so you can track exactly how high a pornstar martini is climbing (choose a different cocktail), or just how low it’s falling (double park it).

Just like in real life (hello 2008), the market can ‘crash’ where drinks hit an all time low, with some only setting you back a couple of dollars. And if you need something a little more solid to go with all your discounted drinks, the 411 serves comfort dishes full of big flavours – think seriously spicy hot wings and juicy smash burgers.

But don’t expect to be here for an hour or two, this is definitely an all night kinda place with vinyl DJs playing the bar’s signature sound (R&B, Classic Hip-Hop and Soul) all night long. You can even challenge your friends to a chilled game of pool or a rowdier midnight round of beer pong. Bottom’s up!

*Images via The 411 Instagram.

Handshake Speakeasy

Forget the usual bar-ridden hotspots of London, New York and Tokyo. The best bar in the world, as crowned by The World’s 50 Best Bars, is a clandestine gem in Mexico City called Handshake Speakeasy. But you won’t easily find it.

This bar isn’t on full display, it’s hidden behind an unmarked door tucked away on an unassuming street in the country’s bustling capital. But once you get inside, the place is anything but subtle.

Handshake Speakeasy screams old-school sophistication thanks to the 1920s art deco building it’s in – the kinda place where all the bartenders wear suits and there’s high-concept cocktails on offer that’ll blow up your tastebuds with a flavour combination you didn’t even know existed. Probably featuring some liquid nitrogen.

But while you might feel as though you can’t let your hair down properly here, this isn’t a pretentious bar. Yes, it’s sleek and intimate, but it’s also cool and relaxed. And it might only just be getting the worldwide recognition it deserves, but Handshake Speakeasy’s been shaking (and stirring) the globe’s cocktail elite for years.

It’s just that now, everyone knows about it. Which is great for the bar, but bad for you considering there’s almost certainly going to be a very big line to get in. We can’t tell you how to to pass the time, but we can say this bar is definitely worth the wait. Salud.

The Newsroom

Welcome to The Newsroom in New York, where gossip swirls around the space quicker than the bartenders can whip up their intoxicating cocktails. Located just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, this salacious bar is the perfect blend of classy, quirky, and chaotic—much like your favourite Daily Mail headline.

As you walk through a 1920’s newsstand (the entrance), you’re immediately transported into a world that feels like a cosy yet scandalous press conference. There’s vintage newspaper clippings strewn around, a neon-lit bar ready to serve up some piping hot tea (your new favourite cocktails) and aerialist performances starting from 7:20pm for those able to drag themselves away from the writing desk.

Try “The Front Page” where the vodka/matcha combo packs a punch strong enough to knock your socks off. Or how about a “Columnist Quencher”, a botanist gin and chambord concoction that’s way too easy to drink. Of course they have classic cocktails too but who wants a cosmopolitan when you can have an “Editors Punch”?

And we haven’t touched the snack menu yet. Straight from the brilliant culinary mind of celebrity Yankees chef Ricardo Cardona, these Latin-European fusion dishes could easily make the front page of your tastebuds— think filet mignon taquitos, chickpea dusted sautéed-shrimp and triple pork pizza.

Okay, we’ve flogged the news angle to death but this place is so cool. Which is really saying something given New York City is home to more cool bars than Times Square has LED lights.

So, whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day in the office or are just in the mood for some spirited banter, The Newsroom has got you covered.