Alreet mi owd. Charlie the monkey here.

You might remember me from the window of Gordon Scott’s shoe shop in Nottingham back in the day.

I’m enjoying retirement, and I’m still partial to hanging around in public, although the only bars you’ll find me clinging to now, though, are the ones in the East Midlands’ finest drinking establishments after one too many sherbets.

And during my recent beer-fuelled travels around the region, I’ve noticed that our drinking scene has welcomed some rather interesting newcomers over the past few months, from independent taprooms and cocktail joints to shiny new late-night venues.

So whether you’re after craft beer in Derby, cocktails in Leicester, wine and tapas in Nottingham or something warming beside a roaring fire in Lincoln, here are the places worth knowing about.

I’m sure you’ll see me hanging around in one of the below establishments this autumn. If you do spot me, come up and make yourself known, preferably before the bouncers introduce me to the pavement outside.

🍺 The Tannery, Derby

Sadler Gate, Derby

Craft beer fans, this one’s for you.

The Tannery opened on 6 June 2026, taking over a formerly empty unit on Sadler Gate in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter. It’s run by Derbyshire’s Ashover Brew Co and stretches across three floors, with outdoor seating thrown in for good measure.

As you’d expect, beer takes centre stage. The bar pours Ashover’s own brews alongside beers from other independent producers, while there’s also wine, cocktails and a selection of charcuterie, cheese and breads for anybody planning to make a night of it.

Live music, comedy and Meet the Brewer events are also part of the plan.

Why we’re going: A proper independent city-centre taproom backed by an actual Derbyshire brewery. What’s not to like?

🪩 NINE, Derby

The Strand, Derby

Derby’s nightlife scene has taken a few knocks recently, so a sizeable new late-night arrival feels particularly significant.

opened in the former Revolución de Cuba premises on The Strand after plans were unveiled earlier this year. Its website now confirms the premium nightclub and bar is open, promising DJs, cocktails, VIP booths and bottle service.

The venue boasts world-class sound, striking interiors and headline DJ sets.

In other words, this isn’t somewhere you’re popping into for a quiet pint and a packet of cheese and onion.

Why we’re going: For the nights when“shall we just have one?” was very clearly a lie.

🍸 Hive & Honey, Leicester

42 Silver Street, Leicester

One for those who take their cocktails almost as seriously as their dinner.

Hive & Honey is one of Leicester’s newer bar and restaurant arrivals, occupying the former Ask restaurant on Silver Street. The venue comes from the teams associated with the former Dom Restaurant in Blaby and The Gadabout.

The concept mixes globally inspired small plates with Asian influences and a cocktail list that’s been designed to work alongside the food.

It’s consequently more sophisticated drinks-and-dinner territory than quick-pint territory.

Why we’re going: Small plates + cocktails + somewhere you could happily lose an entire evening.

💃 XO at Evolution, Leicester

Former Revolution, Leicester city centre

Saturday night in Leicester has a new name.

XO has taken over Saturday nights at Evolution, in the former Revolution bar, with music spanning chart, house, R&B, hip-hop, commercial and Desi.

The weekly Saturday sessions run late into the night and are very definitely aimed at people who’d rather be on a dancefloor than discussing tasting notes over a quiet glass of red.

Why we’re going: Sometimes sophisticated cocktails can wait. We want questionable dancing.

🍸 Manahatta, Nottingham

Nottingham

New York-inspired Manahatta is among the newer Nottingham venues currently being highlighted by the city’s New Bar Spy guide.

The concept mixes cocktails with American-inspired food and bottomless brunches, putting it firmly towards the big-night-out end of our list.

So perhaps don’t suggest it when your mate says they fancy“just somewhere quiet where we can catch up.”

Why we’re going: Sometimes you don’t want natural wine and thoughtful conversation. Sometimes you want cocktails and chaos.

🍷 Vaso, Nottingham

Pelham Street, Hockley

Now this one we’re getting genuinely excited about.

is taking over the former Kitchen premises on Pelham Street in Hockley, transforming the intimate space into a neighbourhood bar specialising in traditional tapas, natural and conventional wines, draught beers and cocktails.

Owner Kevin Wright’s inspiration partly came from visiting a bar in Bologna with his daughter Naomi, where a bottle of red, a cheeseboard and the slightly chaotic intimacy of the place left a lasting impression.

Better still, there’s hardly any waiting left.

Vaso opens today, Friday, October 17, from 4pm. There are no bookings, so it’s walk-ins only.

Why we’re going: Tiny Hockley wine bar + tapas + walk-ins only. This has serious“we knew about it before everyone else” potential.

🔥 THOR’S Tipi Bar, Lincoln

The Cornhill, Lincoln

Okay, I’m bending my own rules slightly here.

This isn’t a permanent new Lincoln bar. It’s a seasonal one.

But when somebody builds a giant tipi filled with roaring fires, twinkling lights, beer and mulled wine in the middle of Lincoln, we’re hardly going to pretend we haven’t noticed.

THOR’S arrives at The Cornhill on Friday 23 October 2026 and will stick around until 31 December.

Inside you’ll find local ales alongside festive drinks including mulled wine, hot cider, German-style hot chocolates and boozy versions for those who want a little more warmth in their winter warmer.

Food includes loaded sausages and raclette fries, while live music and open-mic sessions are also planned.

And although THOR’S itself is seasonal, it lands in a city with a surprisingly strong cocktail scene. Visit Lincoln’s Cocktail Trail includes more than 20 city-centre venues, ranging from historic pubs to cocktail bars.

Why we’re going: Roaring fires + mulled wine + Lincoln in autumn. Come on. We’re only human.

Opens: Friday 23 October
Where: The Cornhill, Lincoln, LN5 7DP

👀 And one more Nottingham bar we’re watching…

Something potentially rather interesting has been brewing beneath Bridlesmith Gate.

Earlier this year, plans were submitted for a new 60-capacity basement cocktail bar beneath 7 Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham city centre.

The proposed venue would be rather different from your standard packed city-centre bar, with seated drinking and table service at the heart of the concept rather than customers ordering at the bar.

We’re keeping an eye on that one.

🍻 Know somewhere we’ve missed?

The East Midlands is a pretty big place, and new independents have an annoying habit of opening when we’re not looking.

So if you’ve spotted a brilliant new pub, cocktail bar, wine bar, taproom or bottle shop somewhere in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Lincolnshire, we want to hear about it.

Drop Stuck in the Middle a message and tell us where we should be drinking next.

Just don’t blame us for the hangover.