London ’s cocktail scene has had a moderately incredible year . dominate many of the external awards , The Smoke has been recognized as the home of some of the world ’s most noteworthy bar of all shapes and size , run by extraordinary men and woman using parts of their mentality most of us do n’t even know exist . This year , we adjudicate to break in with some of London ’s fine , the folks who have had really remarkable and impressive age . So go have a drink – and remember to tiptoe your bartender .

Agostino Perrone

The Connaught

Ago Perrone may have trip into the industry – bartending was to begin with just a means of paying for a photography year he was interested in – but clip have interchange , to say the least . These day , he runs what is widely regarded as one of the man ’s good Browning automatic rifle ; the Lake Como native has frequently been credited with redefining the world of hotel bar . Having total on as head mixologist for The Connaught bar since its relaunch in 2008 , he has since brought the program up to signify a heightened experience , where every need is gather with personality , state of grace , and appeal . While the stripe has been not - so - quietly doing its affair for years , 2016 was the yr of its coming back to the spotlight . We interviewed Agostino Perrone about his outstanding year .

Matt Whiley

Talented Mr Fox

Like the sensation behind the curtain , Matt Whiley has handle his influence over many of London ’s favourite muscae volitantes , although most of the sentence , you believably did n’t recognise it . realise a name for himself as part of the team behind Purl and Worship Street Whistling Shop , he has since start up his own consultancy company , set up the beverage programs for restaurants like Hoppers , Restaurant Story , and Rök Smokehouse , as well as accept over the reins at Bethnal Green ’s Peg + Patriot . We interviewed Matt Whiley about his efforts to ill-treat up the London cocktail scene even further .

Bobby Hiddleston & Mia Johansson

Swift

This hubby - and - married woman team have had a wild drive these last few twelvemonth . After working together at iconic Soho speakeasy Milk & Honey , they moved to New York to enter the acclaim Dead Rabbit , only returning back to London to open their own place in the winter of 2014 . Unfortunately , the site was dead - lived , and they have spent 2016 switch pop - ups ; Bobby has also worked as barroom manager of the multi - award winning Callooh Callay , which went on to win Best gamy Volume International Cocktail Bar at this year ’s Tales of the Cocktail . They have just declare that they have partnered up with the squad behind Nightjar , and will be open a space called Swift in Soho by the end of the year . We interviewed Bobby Hiddleston and Mia Johansson about their biggest moment in 2016 .

Marcis Dzelzainis

Sager + Wilde

With a curriculum vitae that learn like a guide to where to toast in London , Marcis has for sure been necessitate in some serious lachrymation holes through the year . Before becoming the general manager over at Mr Lyan ’s spot in the Mondrian Hotel , Dandelyan , he was at Bethnal Green ’s classic date spot , Satan ’s Whiskers . And before that , he spent several twelvemonth make all kinds of wheels wrick over at 69 Colebrooke words with Tony C. Since he connect the squad over at the wine-colored - centric Sager + Wilde , he has quiet developed an absolutely arresting cocktail menu , which is worth the visit alone – but the intellectual nourishment is also smart as a whip . We interviewed Marcis Dzelzainis about his noteworthy career – and what ’s next on the celestial horizon .

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The Connaught

Courtesy of The Connaught

The Connaught

Courtesy of The Connaught

Matt Whiley

Courtesy of Matt Whiley

A JOHANSSON AND BOBBY HIDDLESTON

ADDIE CHINN

Marcis Dzelzainis

Courtesy of Marcis Dzelzainis