Is This The Best Whisky Bar In The UK?

As whisky drinkers, when travelling around the country, we’re always looking for stop-off areas to enjoy a nice pour, as well as possibly meet some new whisky friends.

If you happen to be traveling through the north west of the UK, you need not look any further than HopScotch Whisky Bar in Liverpool.

HopScotch Bar – A Whisky Nerd’s Dream

Located down a classically industrial back alley in Liverpool, descend the staircase and be greeted by one of the best stocked whisky bars in all of the UK. Specialising in independent bottlings, this place is where you need to come for all of your basic and nerdy whisky needs.

You’ll more than likely be greeted at the bar by Matt, an individual whose passion and knowledge will instantly captivate you, along with a classically Scouse warm welcome.

The cool layout and atmosphere of this place, even when it’s packed, starts to infuse within you. Chats about ‘what to try’ and ‘what are you into’ start to murmur across the room, and everyone just relaxes. Allowing people to ease into whatever level of whisky enjoyment they’re at.

The Whiskies Available at HopScotch

The bar, lined up with numerous examples of incredible independent bottlers such as The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Living Souls, Cadenhead’s, Thompson Brothers, Adelphi, and many more.

These are balanced out by being able to buy and enjoy some of the most sought-after whiskies on the planet. The last time I was there, you could buy a glass of Springbank from most of the core range.

Bottles of bourbon from George T. Stagg and Van Winkle, side by side with some of the most fun single cask whiskies bottled for different retailers across the UK. This place is a literal haven for anyone who wants to get the opportunity to try new things, old things, or the weird things that always seem to sell out.

Not A Whisky Drinker? No Problem!

Whisky not your main drink of choice? Well, they’ve got you covered with this, too. A wonderful wine and beer selection lives within HopScotch, and unlike me, the staff can give you as much detail and enthusiasm on these products as with the whisky.

My Last Visit To HopScotch

The last time I ventured in was for a Scotch Malt Whisky Society event, and it was one of the warmest days I’ve ever experienced. I descended those stairs and was met with a packed bar, air conditioning, and ordered a glass of an Alembic peach beer. The heat and intensity of the day instantly ceased as I sat on a stool and quenched my thirst with this excellent beer that I never would’ve known anything about without the help of Matt.

Fun and chat ensued, and before I knew it, I’d made new friends and was contemplating joining The Liverpool Whisky Club, despite the fact that I live in Manchester. More of an excuse to get down there again.

Can’t Get To Liverpool? Also, No Problem!

In the event you can’t get up to Liverpool, HopScotch has you covered again. They are, to my knowledge, the only bar in the UK that offers a dram delivery option right to your front door.

Seen something you like on their site? You can order 25ml samples with a minimum order of £30. I’d done this a few times before actually heading to the bar, and it is a massive reliever of whisky FOMO.

Bottles listed anywhere from £50-£500 on retailer sites that you’re a little unsure about pulling the trigger for the price, chances are that this place has it behind the bar. Save yourself some money and possible regret by using this bar as a litmus test for so many new releases that venture in and out of the whisky world, with the addition of supporting an independent business, too.

Get Yourself To HopScotch

It’s about an hour on a train from Manchester to Liverpool and with the bar being located about a ten minute walk from Lime Street Station, this is one of the best ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of a wonderful city, and then head off to a bar that has truly captured my heart and attention in every single positive sense that is imaginable in the whisky world.