"You Choose" — The Canal House

Venue: The Canal House, 12 Bridge Street, B1 2JR; website
Choice: Mr Henshall's Memoir (£8.75) Chooser: Bar man

Technically, The Canal House doesn't open until Monday. But arriving in a boat from "the sea" as our editor called it, we've had a right proper nosey around the big, light-filled addition to Gas Street Basin. And it was the drinks that sang sweet songs whilst giving us a knowing embrace — which is rather good news when you think about the sun-downer potential of the wide canal-side terrace. We're a bit specific when it comes to picking out cocktails but the young team got it 107% right with Mr Henshall's Memoir — comprising old school genever, all spice liqueur and Campari. The short sharp pretty is stirred down, then oak-smoked and served over ice and a candied orange, and was the drink all our number wanted to adopt in a fully legal way. A further out-and-out refresher to add to your "to drink" list is the Budvar Tank Beer, which joyfully, is actually stashed in tanks on the first floor, from the Budvar cellars in Czech Republic. Here's an educational document what we found that explains it all. Menus