September 2025
Written by
Abbie Mason
E-commerce
Marketing strategy
Product launch
Tech
Eve Bar Wins a Pinnacle Pin
Breaking news: Eve Bar, the subterranean Covent Garden hideaway from Adam Handling, has just been awarded its first Pinnacle Pin.
This recognition places Handling’s flagship bar among just 61 venues worldwide to have secured a place in the Pinnacle Guide.
The Pinnacle Guide is a new global benchmark for cocktail culture. For Eve Bar, it’s a personal triumph; for the wider UK drinks industry, it’s a moment of collective celebration.
A Michelin-Style Standard for Bars
Launched in 2024, the Pinnacle Guide gives cocktail bars their long-awaited equivalent of Michelin stars — a trusted, transparent measure of excellence (The Pinnacle Guide).
1 Pin: Excellent
2 Pins: Outstanding
3 Pins: Exceptional
Bars self-nominate and are judged across six modules: drinks programme, hospitality, venue design, operations, staff culture, and community impact (Drinks International).
It’s recognition that goes beyond the glass — rewarding consistency, creativity and the entire guest experience.
The UK’s First Pinnacle Contenders
When the inaugural list was revealed in 2024, the UK stole the spotlight: 19 bars were awarded Pins, more than half of the global total (Class Bar Mag).
2-Pin Bars
Nipperkin, London
The Spy Bar at Raffles, London
Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
The American Bar at Gleneagles, Perthshire
1-Pin Bars
Artesian, London
Blue Bar at The Berkeley, LondonGuard’s Bar & Lounge at Raffles, London
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, London
Side Hustle, London
Couch, Birmingham
Passing Fancies, Birmingham
Kiki Lounge, Isle of Man
Sexy Fish, London & Manchester
Nightjar Shoreditch, London
Swift Soho, London
Kwant, Mayfair
Kol Mezcaleria, London
The Story Doesn’t Stop There
By April 2025, another 31 bars worldwide had joined the guide, with the UK again dominating (GlobeNewswire).
3 Pins
Lyaness, London — the only bar globally to achieve the top tier (Time Out)
2 Pins
Kioku Bar at The OWO, London
Nipperkin, London (maintaining 2 Pins)
Panda & Sons, Edinburgh (maintaining 2 Pins)
The Spy Bar, London (maintaining 2 Pins)
1 Pin
Equal Parts, London
The Bar Below, London
The K Bar, London
The Milk Thistle, Bristol
And now, with Eve Bar added in September 2025, the UK’s presence in the Pinnacle Guide has never looked stronger.
More Than a Cocktail List
The UK’s pinned bars prove this isn’t about fleeting trends or Instagram-ready serves — it’s about elevating bars into destinations. With the Pinnacle Guide as a benchmark, the industry can expect:
Higher standards across service and sustainability
Greater recognition for bartenders as cultural leaders
More cities beyond London breaking onto the world stage
A Toast
Congratulations to Eve Bar on its debut Pin — and to every UK venue already pinned. Together, these bars have given the industry its Michelin-style milestone and cemented the UK as one of the world’s most exciting cocktail capitals. A toast to what comes next.