Cocktails Come First at Banyan York

Monday, 18th November 2013

The hottest bartenders in York gathered at Banyan Bar and Kitchen for the first Diplomatico Cocktail Competition on Thursday 14th November.  Competing for the winning title were teams from other Yorkshire bars, including York’s Bobo Lobo, Lucia’s Wine Bar and Hotel du Vin, and Leeds based teams from the Arc Inspirations portfolio including The Pit on Merrion Street, Leeds, all representing the vibrant cocktail scene across Yorkshire.  

Following a £1m spend on the renovation of this Methodist Chapel on Little Stonegate, York, Banyan Bar and Kitchen was launched this summer.  Leeds based Arc Inspirations own 10 bars in the region own two Banyan bars, now in York and Harrogate.  The Banyan bars are renowned for innovative cocktails and clever mixing and create some of the region’s best drinks. 

Arc Inspirations have just announced their next project, a refresh of one of their existing bars in Chapel Allerton, North Leeds, which represents the roll out of their other successful brand, The Pit.  This follows the recent £800k spend on the brand new bar The Pit which opened in Leeds in August this year.

Judges Christine Austin, acclaimed Wine Writer, Peter Fawcett of renowned York based Wine Merchants Field & Fawcett and Stu Goulden Editor of One & Other magazine determined Callum Oliver from The Pit on Merrion Street, Leeds, victorious.  The triumphant mixologist stole the show with the concoction ‘Chocolate Bonnet’, made  using dark chocolate, chilli and Meantime Porter, winning a bottle of the finest Diplomatico Single Vintage 2000 rum. 

-      ENDS    -

Competitors:

Callum O liver from The Pit Leeds

Ross Woodford from Lucia’s Wine Bar

Adam Keeligan from Bobo Lobo

Ash Colgan from Hotel Du Vin

Jason Cox, Liam Walsh, Rob Hardie and Gaz Hayes from Banyan York