Restaurant critic, broadcaster, and jazz pianist Jay Rayner joins us At The Bar - and he’s not afraid to speak his mind! Known for his sharp wit on MasterChef and The Kitchen Cabinet, Jay brings the same no-nonsense energy to our drinking games.
From his disdain for Negronis and Espresso Martinis to the family favourite cocktail known as Blood and Pus, Jay shares his sharp opinions, funniest stories, and a few unexpected insights into food, wine and bar culture. Jack even takes on the challenge of reimagining Blood and Pus for the modern palate - with excellent results.
Highlights include:
Why Negronis and Espresso Martinis are on his blacklist
The Daiquiri as his ultimate bartender test
The story of Blood and Pus – and its 2025 revival
What restaurants get wrong with wine lists
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Luxury hospitality consultant and former Savoy and Artesian bar manager Anna Sebastian joins us At The Bar to talk champagne rituals, women in hospitality and the drinks that shaped her career.
Anna shares her journey from running some of London’s most iconic hotel bars to founding Celebrate Her, a global platform championing women in the drinks industry. She reflects on the “Negroni era” and the hangovers that came with it, why she still loves a Vodka Martini, and how the Picante has become a modern-day classic.
Finally, Jack creates her Dream Drink - a whimsical Unicorn Picante with champagne, tequila, glitter and marshmallow garnish - inspired by Anna’s love of unicorns and a tattoo shared with close friends.
Highlights include:
Changing perceptions of hospitality careers
Her views on what makes a great modern classic cocktail
Why English sparkling wine deserves a place alongside champagne
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TV chef, restaurateur and Sunday Brunch co-host Simon Rimmer joins us At The Bar to talk local beers, dive bars and why he’ll never order an Espresso Martini.
In our Mailbox segment, Simon samples a Margarita twist made with Japanese La Tomato liqueur, before setting Jack the task of creating a cocktail with his chosen ingredient: chicken skin. The result? A smoky Tequila Old Fashioned with hot honey and a chicken skin wafer garnish.
Finally, Simon describes his happy place - Del Mar, California - and Jack builds his Dream Drink: a lemongrass and basil Piña Colada, served with full holiday vibes.
Highlights include:
Calling the Espresso Martini “a fantastic bit of marketing but a crap drink”
Why he’d rather be in a dive bar than a posh cocktail spot
Championing local Manchester breweries like Cloudwater and Track
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BAFTA award-winning presenter, DJ and live-fire cooking legend DJ BBQ joins us At The Bar for a riot of stories, drinks and barbecue wisdom. From natural wines and dive bars to Jamie Oliver’s birthday parties and snowboarding with Jamiroquai, nothing is off-limits.
In our Mailbox segment, the team take on a smoky Chipotle liqueur - with DJ BBQ bringing his trademark party energy to the tasting. And for his Dream Drink, Jack goes big: the Smoky Cokey Cherry Floatie - peaty Islay whisky, cherry syrup, Old Bay seasoning, Coca-Cola and smoked ice cream. A barbecue-inspired cocktail that’s as playful as it is delicious.
Highlights include:
The art of “Catertainment” – mixing food, fire and music
Snowboarding with Jamiroquai and partying with Jamie Oliver
His love of lagers and natural wine - and why IPAs aren’t his thing
The ultimate BBQ-inspired Dream Drink – the Smoky Cokey Cherry Floatie
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Broadcaster, author and DJ, Nihal Arthanayake joins us At The Bar - and he’s full of stories. From being teetotal until 1997 to Sambuca disasters, from White Russians to London’s legendary Momo Bar, Nihal reflects on the highs and lows of nightlife and the role it’s played in his career and creativity.
He also takes on our games, choosing Pornstar Martinis over Negronis (“they just taste disgusting”), defending the Piña Colada as a marker of confidence, and telling the unforgettable story of a stag-do Daiquiri laced with Viagra.
Finally, Jack builds his Dream Drink - a coconut-and-mango creation inspired by Nihal’s Sri Lankan heritage, mixed with cinnamon, lychee and arrack, served in a coconut shell.
Highlights include:
London’s lost nightlife and the Momo Bar
Using bars as urinals
Sri Lankan bar snacks
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Journalist and presenter Kate Quilton (Food Unwrapped, Channel 4) joins us At The Bar to talk craft beer, Oyster Martinis and childhood memories of growing up in pubs. Known for investigating what really goes into the food we eat, Kate brings that same curiosity to the drinks world - from her scepticism of Big Beer to her love of provenance, fermentation and flavour.
Highlights include:
Lager nostalgia, craft vs mass production, and her early memories of pubs
Oyster Martinis at The Suffolk - and why she calls oysters a “super food”
Tasting Mahura, a resurrected Indian spirit, and Jack’s jasmine-inspired cocktail twist
Kate’s Dream Drink, built from foraged and homemade ingredients - her favourite cocktail ever
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At The Bar is a new video series that brings together well-known names from food, drink, and broadcasting to share stories, swap opinions and celebrate cocktail culture.
Hosted by presenter Matty White, bartender Jack Sotti, and series producer Jon Almond, At The Bar blends unscripted conversation with imaginative cocktail creations.
Each episode invites a guest to share their personal drinking preferences and memorable experiences, while also exploring new and unusual drinks that challenge expectations and celebrate the creativity of modern cocktail culture.