FOOD AND DRINK: Thirteen Sheffield cocktail bars to stir up your night out

From classic martinis to curveball creations, here are 13 of the best cocktail bars in the city.

The Great Gatsby, Divison Street, city centre

Incredibly popular at weekends - what the staff at this packed nightspot don’t know about cocktails isn’t worth knowing.

Its tequila soaked Mango Unchained is just one example of the innovative drinks and their quirky names on the menu, and people travel for the Pisco Sours. But going off piste and asking for a recommendation, is also recommended.

There’s a dinky terrace out back for al fresco occasions.

Daisy’s, Division Street, city centre

Just upstairs from the bustle of Gatsby’s is Sheffield’s first cocktail bar with table service.

Expect the unexpected and dare to have drinks that are out of the ordinary, with obscure ingredients sourced from around the world, plus home-made concoctions such as peanut-butter infused rum bases.

The tiny venue’s ambience and vintage decor makes for an impressive date destination.

Cubanas, Leopold Square, city centre

Not just for tapas - this Spanish favourite also does a fine range in cocktails.

Margaritas with salted rims are always a winner, and background salsa music adds to the holiday-like atmosphere.

Bartender Alexander Wright also won Eat Sheffield’s Bartender of the Year prize in 2015 with his fusion Japanese creation, which is a good excuse to call in.

Graze, Ecclesall Road

Bellinis - just prosecco and usually schapps - sound simple but they are all to easy to get wrong.

The peach bellinis at Graze are worth a trip, and they also offer melon, strawberry and raspberry options too.

The separate bar has recently had a revamp and is now known as Cowshed. Yee-haw.

Bloo 88, West Street, city centre

Smile nicely at the staff here and they might write your name on the top of a drink a la Starbucks.

There are martinis galore - try the one with marmalade stirred in - plus plenty of staff creations and many classics.

For the true cocktail fan, they also offer mixology masterclasses so you can start to flare with the best of them.

Be At One, Devonshire Street, city centre

Sheffield’s newest cocktail bar and the chain’s 29th across the country, this mainstream bar has 150 different options to choose from.

There’s daily happy hours, ‘virtuous’ cocktails, and the Popster, a creamy concoction made with popcorn, goes down a treat.

Peppercorn, Dore

Yes, it’s a restaurant - and one well worth a visit for the food too.

But their signature Pink Peppercorn is a hit, and they also offer nine fine whiskeys.

A good place to dine and sip at the same time.

Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel champagne bar, off Surrey Street, city centre

This place is a bit of a hidden gem - city residents are often unlikely to visit a hotel.

Fizz is the name of the game but they also do a cracking mojito for fans of the lime, mint and rum mix.

It is also a stunning place to unwind after a hard week at work.

Picture House Social, Abbeydale Road

A more relaxed affair, but still part of the Gatsby’s stable, this bar has ping pong, authentic pizza, and picture-worthy cocktails - as well as pints of craft ale.

The vintage bar is gorgeously 1930s, stacked with proper glassware and the cocktails as creative as can be.

The Old House, Division Street, city centre

Gin school, anyone?

Not only is this a packed pit stop for cocktails - and the creamy Toblerone short is worth a trip into town alone - but it also hosts monthly sessions so drinkers can learn all there is to know about Mother’s Ruin.

The venue recently won in the Best Bar None awards, which recognise responsible licensing practice.

The Copthorne Hotel, Bramall Lane

Those who fancy a change from pies and pints at half time can score a range of crowd-pleasing drinks here.

Strawberry cheesecake, strawberry champagne and Pimms trifle were some of last year’s hits.

The Wick at Both Ends, West Street

Famed for its flaming lemon drizzle shots, the Wick even manages to make absinthe palatable with a special section of the menu dedicated to just that green spirit.

There’s also a cocktail called Seven Hills in a nod to Sheffield’s iconic geography.

Napoleon’s Casino, Ecclesall Road and also at Owlerton, Hillsborough

It might be a casino, but you can safely bet on the quality of the cocktails here.

Their amaretto sours are sublime, and both sites open until 6am for late late nights.