Cheers to the bustling bar serving St Helens’ best cocktails

With more than 40 cocktails on the menu including an adult Capri Sun, a pink pornstar martini and plenty of classics, it’s easy to see why Cinema Bar is such a popular place for cocktails.

And they’ve won the Best for Cocktails title this year making it two honours in three years.

Pink pornstar martinis and adult Capri Suns are popular all year round

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition.

This year’s search for St Helens Star’s best in a whole host of categories started with hair and At Gems was crowned our first winner quickly followed by Burchall’s and their pies.

Next up were picture perfect nails with Nails by Mandy taking the title and The Moss Bank is officially Best for Roast Dinners.

Then we moved onto cocktails with customers and readers sending their nominations and votes for their favourite venues to get a speciality drink.

Voting for St Helens’ Best for Breakfast is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Fish and Chips.

Vote for St Helens’ Best for Breakfast 2024

Nominate your favourite for St Helens’ Best for Fish and Chips 2024

We toasted seven terrific cocktail places in St Helens who made the shortlist for Best for Cocktails with Cinema Bar taking this year’s coveted crown making it two wins in the last three years.

Hannah Mcloughlin took over at the pumps in November 2019 with the business first opening in 2013.

Hannah is co-owner and manager with partner Tom Chisnall and Cinema Bar is very much a family-run business with Hannah’s parents Mark and Sandra and her brother Alfie as well as Tom’s parents Kath and Tom Sr helping out alongside in house managers Charlie and Shannon.

Hannah McLoughlin and boyfriend Tom Chisnall

Hannah who grew up in Haresefinch and Haydock, said: “I was working at Cinema Bar for the previous owners and was given the chance to purchase the business.

“It presented itself as the perfect opportunity to open our own bar - to offer something different to St Helens, bringing a city centre vibe to our local area.

“We felt there was a gap in the market at the time.

“We are a cocktail speciality spirits and world beers bar.

“We host a smartphone quiz every Thursday from 8:30pm and live music every Friday and Saturday evening from 9pm.

“We also offer party hire all year round to celebrate your special events with us.”

Cinema Bar on Duke Street is this year's Best for Cocktails

Hannah has worked in the hospitality industry for more than ten years and trained in mixology when she was 18.

While she was at university studying illustration, Hannah worked in a fast-paced bar and thrived on the cocktail station.

Hannah, who is 30, said: “I have always enjoyed working with the public and the social aspect of the job.

“Plus it gives me the opportunity to express my creative nature in the cocktails, menu design and flair.

“All our cocktails are customisable to your taste and specially hand made on site to order.

“We’re open early from 3pm until 1am and every cocktail is made fresh using premium ingredients only - nothing comes from a pre-mix or can.

“Every weekend on Friday and Saturday evenings, we have live music from local musicians and DJs between 9pm and 11pm.”

There are more than 40 cocktails on the menu at the Duke Street venue and more on the specials and secret menus with some house recipes that you won’t find anywhere else.

The adult Capri Suns come in four flavours – orange, blackcurrant, tropical and apple – and there’s plenty of classics like Manhattan and Old Fashioned as well as Disaronno Sours.

There are more than 40 cocktails on the menu at CInema Bar

Hannah said: “There’s something for everyone at Cinema Bar.

“Our age range is anywhere from 18 to 80+ years.

“We aim to be a place where everyone feels welcome with a relaxed atmosphere.

“Our great customer service starting with our efficient, friendly staff is a key part of the business.

“I love meeting new people every weekend and creating friendships with our regulars.

“We are blessed to have a good supporting team with our family and friends, who we couldn’t do this without.”

What do customers of Cinema Bar think of their cocktails? Why did they think the venue deserved to win our latest award?

One nomination said: “High quality, amazing tasting, strong cocktails that are always delivered consistently regardless of how busy the bar is.”

Another said: “No other place does cocktails like here.”

Hannah and the team took over in 2019

Cinema Bar won Best Pub or Bar in 2022 and Hannah and the team are thrilled to add Best for Cocktails 2024 to their collection.

Hannah said: “We were very pleased to be put in the running with some fantastic venues.

“We were pleased to make the shortlist for this year’s cocktail award and delighted to hear that we’d won.

“Our team works very hard to ensure only the best level of service and drinks are provided.

“We would like to say a very big thank you to all our customers for their votes and continued custom all year round.

“The support means so much to us all here at Cinema Bar and we hope to see you all soon.”