Athrú's Top 10 Best International Whiskey Bars
We love discovering new places to drink delicious whiskey, but it can be hard to be everywhere when much of our time is spent crafting our Athrú Irish single malt whiskey. So, we turned to you, the passionate whiskey aficionados, to find out where you rate for a dram or two outside of Ireland. And, deliver you did, telling us about your top bars, found everywhere from Australia to Edinburgh, and everywhere in between.
While to get the authentic Irish whiskey experience you’d be forgiven for assuming you’d be best placed to stay on the Emerald Isle, there are some fantastic establishments to be discovered all across the world, serving up the finest whiskeys that are worth their weight in (liquid) gold. With global travel looking to be in our sights again, perhaps it’s time to start planning a spirited adventure. Here’s our list of the best international whiskey bars. Read on, then grab your passport…
UK
The Pot Still, Glasgow
Found on Hope Street in Glasgow, The Pot Still has been serving up spirits since the 1800s, and is the bar to visit if you really want to broaden your whiskey horizons. With over 800 to choose from, including single malt, blended malt, single grain, blended grain, blends, whisky liqueurs, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, American, Canadian, Swedish, Dutch, Indian, Kiwi and Japanese, you’ll have to plan a lengthy stay in Glasgow if you want to sample them all.
Malones, Glasgow
There’s no need to miss Irish whiskey while you’re elsewhere - Malones in Glasgow is an Irish bar in Glasgow city centre, complete with a rooftop bar, live music, great food and plenty of craic. Oh, and they also have over 100 Irish whiskeys behind the bar. Each week they showcase a different Irish whiskey, promoting both familiar names and lesser-known distilleries.
US
Dead Rabbit, New York City
Twice named the world’s best bar, The Dead Rabbit is a homage to the best of Irish. Their ethos is ‘celebrating the finest traditions of Irish hospitality and bringing the Irish pub into the 21st century.’ Founded by Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry who both hail from Belfast, the bar has become a hotspot for whiskey lovers since its inception in 2013. The pair are now so synonymous with the best of Irish drinks that they even penned From Barley To Blarney: A Whiskey's Lover's Guide To Ireland.
Seven Grand, Los Angeles
Founded over a decade ago, the inception of Seven Grand was all down to a love of whiskey - its founders wanted to create somewhere where they could create great cocktails and serve up the finest whiskey - and so, Seven Grand was born. With one of the largest whiskey selections in the west, they’re also home to The Whiskey Society; a membership programme which provides guests with the opportunity to further explore the spirit via education and experimentation. Having expanded from LA to San Diego, Austin and Denver over the past decade, there’s plenty of ways you can enjoy the Seven Grand experience. Oh, and they even have a hidden Japanese whisky bar - bar Jackalope at their LA home.
Delilah’s, Chicago
Delilah’s is a rock & roll bar which opened in 1993 and has been the go-to for great music and great drinks ever since. As well as over 300 beers on offer, they also have a very strong whiskey game, with over 800 different varieties on offer, hailing from over 15 countries. Of course, there’s a plentiful selection of American and Rye whiskeys, but they also serve up whiskeys from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Japan, India, the UK, and even have their own exclusive bottlings of Bourbon, Rye and Scotch.
Australia
The Baxter Inn, Sydney
At The Baxter Inn, whiskey is a big part of what they’re famed for (as well as cool decor and their food). You’ll find the bar tucked in a cellar, and on offer are 500 different whiskeys from all around the world, as well as a great cocktail selection, some delicious Australian reds..and their famed pretzels, which play a big part of the drinking experience at The Baxter Inn.
The Doss House, Sydney
Built in the 1840s, The Doss House is an underground bar with a vintage feel. Whiskey plays a huge part here - there’s a very extensive selection, with some of the finest drams from across the globe. Sample Japanese, Irish, Scottish and of course, Australian whiskeys, and take part in one of the bar’s masterclasses for a really in-depth look at the whiskeys on offer.
Europe
Paddy’s Corner, Lyon, France
Located in the heart of Croix-Rousse's historical neighbourhood, Paddy’s Corner is a traditional public house, nestled in a building which in previous lives was a wine bar, a grocery store and in the 1970s, Café Hôtel Les Dombes. For over a decade now, it’s been Paddy’s Corner - the place to go to find a cosy atmosphere and a large selection of drinks, including plenty of whiskeys from Speyside and the Highlands to Ireland and the States.
John Mullins, Maastricht, Netherlands
Named after John Mullins, a great promoter of Guinness in Europe and the rest of the world, this pub opened in 1997 and has been serving up fine Irish fare ever since. Live music and quizzes are just part of what makes this place special - there’s also a large selection of whiskeys on offer, with plenty of Irish spirits available from renowned distilleries.
Scholars Lounge, Rome, Italy
Scholars Lounge offers up an Irish experience in Italy’s capital. European & World Winner for Irish Pub of the Year in the Irish Pubs Global Awards, here you’ll find a selection of over 250 whiskeys, as well as craft beers, gins and an authentically Irish menu. The bar was founded in September 2005 by Declan Crean and Celestino Cucchiarelli, and is the largest Irish bar in Rome, as well as the most successful.
Asia
Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub, Bangkok, Thailand
Irish-owned and operated, in its first year, Scruffy Murphy’s won the Irish Pubs Global Award for Best Irish Whiskey Experience in Asia, the Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Since opening in 2017, the pub has gathered a cult following, and also boasts the largest selection of whiskey in Bangkok, from the popular classics to boutique brands. The bar also stocks many selected single-malt and small-batch distilleries from Ireland.
What’s your favourite international whiskey bar? You can send us your suggestions here or send us a message on social!