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Harrogate's Over & Above ranked among UK's top cocktail bars

Thursday, 12 February 2026 07:20

The team at Over and Above, Harrogate.

Harrogate's first speakeasy has been named one of the best cocktail bars in the country less than a year after opening.

Over & Above, tucked behind a hidden bookcase at 7 Cheltenham Crescent, has secured 38th place in the UK Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.

It's the first bar in North Yorkshire to feature in the nationally recognised rankings.

The venue, which opened in March 2025, was founded by Rich and Fran Hamer as an independent neighbourhood bar offering table service and a menu focused on signature and elevated classic cocktails.

Set across two floors, the space combines a relaxed atmosphere with an upmarket finish, inspired by the couple’s love of hosting friends and family.

Founder Rich Hamer said:

“We are absolutely over the moon to have been selected for the UK Top 50 Cocktail Bar list.

"Since launching in March, our whole team has grafted incredibly hard to create a space we are incredibly proud of.

"To receive UK-wide recognition is testament to every member of our team’s hard work and dedication to making Over & Above such a special place. This is a true labor of love and we can’t wait to continue pushing the bar further.”

He added:

“We have so many exciting plans to bring some of the UK’s Top 50 bars into Harrogate to take over our bar throughout 2026, so Harrogate residents can experience some of the best bars in the UK without leaving their hometown."

The UK Top 50 Cocktail Bar Awards highlights what organisers describe as the country’s leading venues for drinks, service and overall experience.

The list is voted for by drinks industry professionals, operators and journalists.

Owners Rich and Fran Hamer bring decades of combined hospitality experience to the venture, their first independent bar.

Over & Above offers cocktails, spirits, wines and beers, with a focus on high-quality drinks and friendly table service.

The bar can be found hidden behind a bookcase entrance at 7 Cheltenham Crescent in Harrogate.

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