Two bars in Birmingham have been named winners in the CLASS Bar Awards 2023.

CLASS Magazine announced the winners of the awards which saw bars across the UK be crowned in different categories.

The awards are judged by the CLASS Collective which is a group of 100 bar experts from across the country.

The CLASS Bar Awards launched in 2003 and recognises both the talent and achievements of UK bars as well as their diversity.

Birmingham bars named winners in CLASS Bar Awards 2023

Passing Fancies in Birmingham won two awards taking home the Best Bar in the Midlands & East Anglia and New Bar of the Year awards.

Here’s what CLASS Magazine had to say about Passing Fancies: “Elsewhere in the newly launched regional awards, Passing Fancies was voted Best Bar in the Midlands & East Anglia sponsored by The Busker and also New Bar of the Year sponsored by Hapusa Gin, having only launched last autumn by Tommy Matthews, Matt Arnold and Eve Green.

“The bar is billed as having the casual vibes of a “kitchen at a house party”, but serves ingredient-led cocktails that draw on the latest bar lab techniques.”

You can see the full list of winners and nominees for each category via the CLASS Bar Awards website.

Passing Fancies is also praised on Tripadvisor with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 10 reviews.

One reviewer wrote: “What an amazing service, the staff are so tentative and know their stuff. When me and my friends were unsure of what to have they gave ud a run down of their menu and even gave us tasters of the alcohol in them to see if we liked it. The best espresdo martini I've had can't wait to come back!”

You can read more reviews for Passing Fancies in Birmingham via the Tripadvisor website.

A bartender at another Birmingham bar was also recognised in the awards.

Courtney Francis from Couch won the Emerging Bartender of the Year award.

CLASS Bar Awards said: “A finalist in this field, Couch in Birmingham, went on to shine in the Emerging Bartender of the Year category sponsored by La Hechicera, with the bar’s Courtney Francis taking the award.”