The Whiskey Jar

Handily located at the Piccadilly basin end of the Northern Quarter (quick dram before the train, anyone?), the Whiskey Jar specialises in vodka from around the world. Nearly had you there, didn’t we? Unsurprisingly the Whiskey Jar does indeed specialise in – you guessed it! – whiskey. Firmly removing itself from the Americana trend, the focus here is firmly on the Scottish variety – that makes it whisky don’tcha know? No ‘e’ in this country’s offering (insert Irvine Welsh pun here). The cocktail menu makes great use of the libation in question and a happy hour of 2 for £9 is offered every day ‘til 7pm. In, um, true Scotch tradition, there’s pies, meats and scotch eggs (including a chicken tikka version!) to keep that stomach lined whilst working your way around the regions. Open mic nights take place from 7.30pm on a Tuesday and there’s whisky tastings twice a month. [Anna Tully]