drinksin has been chosen by a judging panel including Deborah Meaden and other leading entrepreneurs such as Bebo Founder Michael Birch as a winner of Smarta.com’s inaugural ‘Smarta 100’.

The Smarta 100 is the ultimate business accolade, recognizing the UK’s smartest small businesses. Smarta.com has uncovered remarkable companies who have gone the extra mile to differentiate themselves from the market or found clever ways to compete, from their marketing plan to their ethical stance. The result is a fascinating insight into the unique business ideas that are thriving in the current economic climate.

The finalists proved to the judges that they have what it takes to run a successful venture, from spotting a new opportunity to making it a reality. And the high-profile panel were delighted to see that ambitious people are saving hard and raising finances to turn their ideas into flourishing businesses.

Deborah Meaden commented:

“Discovering great new businesses is a passion of mine as is encouraging businesses to think and work better.  The Smarta 100 does both of these things – and celebrates the best of British business at the same time. I was delighted to see ambitious people saving hard and raising finances to turn their ideas into flourishing businesses ”

Smarta.com founder Sháá Wasmund said:

“Socially conscious, disruptive businesses that are not afraid to challenge the status quo are being set up in the four corners of the country. I founded Smarta to make sure these enterprises are supported at any stage of development. The results speak for themselves – the Smarta 100 list is a collection of remarkable success stories.”

The full results and details of the winning companies can be found at smarta.com/smarta100.

We’ve just heard the good news that drinksin.com’s new Chief Technology Officer, David Murray-Hundley has been shortlisted for Business Leader of the Year category, LinkedIn European Business Awards 2010. Hand picked by LinkedIn’s expert panel of judges David is one of only 10 in Europeto make the shortlist.

Please show your support for David, by voting here

Linkedin is the world’s biggest network and business hub and was started by the co-founder of Ebay and PayPal.

David who also acts as CTO for Adaro Group recently became involved with Drinksin taking on the role as CTO to take the team through funding and hitting the rest of the UK and US market.

“David’s out of the box mentality and ability to push boundaries in delivering technology solutions is providing us  with an undeniable increase in operational strength and focus, he undoubtedly deserves to win this accolade.”

We’re very pleased to formally welcome David to the drinksin.com team, and wish him every success for this award.

Winners will be announced via a live WebEx on March 24th 2010.

Last week, drinksin bricked it by donating £50.00 towards the Buy A Brick campaign for the Child’s I Foundation.

The foundation’s mission is to help put an end to the endemic problem of child abandonment in Uganda. Developed with leading experts in social care in the UK and Uganda, this unique model has three parts: a support programme to help mothers at risk of abandoning their babies; a transitional home to provide short-term life-saving care; and a family placement

In Uganda the horrors of HIV/Aids and violent conflict results in hundreds of babies often only a few hours hold being dumped by their desperate mothers in toilets, car parks or on the roadside. And with all the current care homes full life often looks bleak and short – for these vulnerable children. The Child’s i Foundation wants to change all that.

Watch the video here

To see how you can help, there is a to do list.

To do list

Time, love and money are all welcome so whatever you can spare will go along way in supporting the foundation in their goals. If you like us, would like to Buy a Brick, you can make your donation easily online by following the link below:

http://buyabrick.childsifoundation.org/bricks/t9bn

On Tuesday, the drinksin team were invited along to the Winter Menu sampling event at Friar Street’s newest bar and eatery Muse. If you have not yet had the pleasure Muse is a brand new treasure to Friar Street, based at the old Bar Four premises.

One thing you notice when you enter Muse is it’s warm, relaxed and welcoming interior. The deep reds and opulent furnishings are sure to help melt away any built up tension from a long day in the office or a busy day’s shopping. What’s really special about Muse is it is a break from the norm from what many would expect from a Friar Street premises – a little sanctuary for those seeking the smooth and sophisticated.

The new Winter Menu officially launches this week and offers an amuse-bouche of perfectly crafted plates and a cocktail menu with a playful nod to the 70’s as well as reverance for traditional classics.

We were lucky enough to sample a pick and mix of the new menu during the event, and the food is really good.

The chef at Muse has a strict policy on fine and fresh food, which means everything on premises is made from scratch – you can tell.

The food menu like the new cocktail menu shows a playful nod to some of the 70’s classics with dishes like chicken in a basket and bangers and mash. The chef has also clerverly constructed a pick and mix menu, similar to a tapas experience but with influences from all over the globe. Really great if eating light before a big night out or after work drinks with colleagues and friends.

For the conscientous amongst us, Muse have paid attention to health with a great offering of healthy options – the super food salads look fantastic, and the menu even comes with calorie count to make life eaiser.

The Express Menu also works really well for lunchtime workers with an eye on the time. Each express dish is marked and is guaranteed service within 20 minutes.

http://www.muse-reading.com/

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks at drinksin HQ. We’ve now settled in all snuggly into our new office in Windsor and for the past few weeks have been gathering feedback, feedback and more feedback from users of drinksinreading.com as well as the pubs and bars we support.

As always some amazing suggestions. We’d love to get a few more replies before we go into our next development meeting so if you have any suggestions, would love to hear what you think. You can enter here

We ran a competition to win 3 bottles of Veuve Cliquot at Reading’s Twestival too. Congrats to the winners and shame on you for saving for special occasions. Ok, I’m only saying that because I fancied a glass. Nonetheless, Mojito’s went down a treat. Thanks to Chris and his team at Mix Bar and Twestival organisers, definitely a night to remember.

What else has been going on, oh yes the drinksin messenger pigeon dissapeared off to Bestival! We were worried until we saw sightings. He has unreservedly aoplogised for going missing in action.

We’ve also met Rob Wilson, Reading’s Conservative MP to talk about our plans for the future and to see how we may be able to further support Reading’s publican community. Great to meet him and some excellent all round advice received.

There are some fantastic support schemes and campaigns out there at the moment to help support the British Pub, who is, as we all know having a bit of a bad time at the moment. So if you haven’t already pledged your support for Britains favourite pastime, you can do so on any of these sites:

• Axe the Beer Tax
• Save the Great British Pub

In Reading Bar News:

• New club Sub89 launched, you can take the Virtual Tour here
• Bamboo is under new management and re-opened on Friday 25th Sept. Nearby Manakoo also a recent addition
• Xensations on Friar Street is in the process of becoming a new bar called Ruby Sky. With state of the art lighting and sound system, two-levels, 3 rooms, 4 bars, VIP areas, Ruby Sky will offer live shows and DJ music every night of the week, with weekly special events on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Oh and how can we forget, it’s Freshers time in Reading. Big wave to all new Reading Uni students. We’ll be out for a few upcoming student events snapping your beautiful faces, so hope to see you out and about.

To stay better in touch with good stuff happening at pubs and bars in Reading, why not join us today and get a user account. When you join, you can create your own personlised social diary, to help you set your social life free. So you never have to scratch your head and wonder where all the good stuff’s happening tonight, tomorrow, next week. Just login to drinksin!

May the rest of your week be fun filled xx

Reading Twestivallers descend upon Mix Bar in Reading tonight. The Twestival taking place is one of 100’s of similar events taking place worldwide.

For the uninitiated a Twestival is a Festival organised for Twitter users, but in Reading’s case all are welcome. For advance tickets you can purchase them here, or there will be a limited amount available on the door.

Event is being held at Mix Bar from 7:30pm, Thursday 10th Sept.

Proceeds raised during the night going to Daisys Dream, a free service supporting bereaved children and their families in Berkshire and the surrounding areas.

Thanks to Dedipower, one of the UK’s fastest growing managed hosting providers for their generous donation as Gold Sponsor.

Some great competitions and giveaways throughout the night plus a free glass of bubbly on arrival courtesy of @tweetmeme and live music from local band Chasing Vegas.

drinksinreading.com (that’s us) will be handing out 3 bottles of champagne through the night too with a top secret retweet competition. Make sure to follow @drinksinreading to get involved in winning the champagne on the night.

The Cocktailists at Mix have also put together a saucy selection of Twitteresque cocktails.

For more on Reading Twestival and a sneak preview at the specially blended Cocktail’s on offer, check out the official site http://reading.twestival.com/

This month we gave away two guestlist passes to the sell-out Fusion presents Norman Jay night at Bar Mango, along with a free bar tab. The winners Malgorzata Brzezicka and friend are set for a night to remember.

For those that aren’t familiar Norman Jay is stuff of legend, his last set at Big Chill made the festival for many and throughout his career he has amassed a huge following.

The early days

A self confessed ‘Beatle baby’ born in Notting Hill, London of West Indian parents, the young Jay had unwittingly displayed latent deejaying talents even from the tender age of eight. By then, encouraged by his music loving parents, he had bought his first record and played at his first gig – a 10th birthday party for one his female cousins – displaying for the first time, a precocious talent that was later to become the stuff of deejaying legend.

As young as he was, Norman eventually became hooked on all aspects of black music, becoming increasingly influenced by his father’s huge collection of original 60’s Jazz, blu beat, ska and rock steady reggae from Jamaica.

By the late 70’s he had become an avid follower of contemporary Afro-American music styles including soul, funk and jazz fusion – enthusiastically collecting classic urban record labels like MOTOWN, ATLANTIC and STAX.

New York, 1979

Whilst on a first time visit to relatives in BROOKLYN, New York around the same time – he was invited to play at his very first bona fide ‘block party’ alongside his uncle who – as it turned out, was also an accomplished deejay and sound system owner/operator of repute himself. Jay decided there and then to take his deejaying career more seriously.

Good Times Sound System

Upon his return to the uk – he teamed up with his brother JOEY and built the now legendary GOOD TIMES SOUND SYSTEM – where he embarked upon a mission to fulfill a long held childhood ambition to play at the infamous NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL – where he played FUNK, SOUL and DISCO (something completey unheard of in those days). This he did in the face of fierce opposition and considerable hostility to his initial efforts. His dogged determination to succeed saw him eventually triumph – ultimately winning him critical acclaim from his peers and fans in the process.

Arguably Reading’s freshest and most talked about club night

Fusion are proud to announce the launch of their new Club night at the award winning Bar Mango. The opening night is Friday 14th August with the legend that is Norman Jay MBE arguably one of the finest and most respected deejays in the world today. FUSION’s new regular monthly Reading night at Bar Mango, Reading will bring together a blend of two or more styles of FUNKY, DEEP, DIRTY ELECTRO & DIRTY BIG BEATS HOUSE MUSIC.

Stay Connected

To make sure you get the most out of your Reading social life, why not sign-up to the drinksin community? Regsitrations FREE, takes 2 minutes and will make planning your social life simple. drinksin learns what you like and suggests bars, events and offers based on your interest via your own diary myDrinksin. It’s like having your very own personal assistant dedcated to fun

When you register you also get included on any inside scoop and members only pub, bar and club deals for Reading. Come in an join us!

Last week drinksin got vocal and joined Phil Kennedy over at the BBC Berkshire studio’s in Caversham to talk pubs on Phil’s weekday slot, you can watch the interview here: Jaime talks pubs on BBC Berkshire

The drive to Caversham was the ride from hell, 1st radio interview nerves were rife but despite that sickening feeling, the questions went well and not too many erms and aaarghs in sight, well apart from the do you know the pub by the bridge question.

On the way to BBC Berkshire

For anyone that knows me, directions send me into a vegetative state of shock. The ‘yes’ to Phil’s question of ‘do you know the pub that’s down there, to the left, by the bridge’ was actually ‘Noooooooooh I haven’t a clue but I’m on the radio and I’m an idiot, can’t believe this is happening, i’m sure I know it but I can’t think straight, just say yes anyway, they’ll never know’. ‘YES’

For those, who like me freeze when directions are used the pub in question was The Rising Sun’

As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one week, we’ve also been featured in last weeks Reading Chronicle.

A big thanks to BBC Berkshire letting me join them for the excitement in the studio, and Reading Chronicle for featuring an excellent write-up on drinksinreading.com.

drinksin hit the headlines

‘This is Techno…’ is a new club night opening in Reading starting 5th September ‘09. The promoter’s aim is to bring to Reading, the finest underground Techno DJ’s and Live acts from around the world, as well as some of the best up and coming DJ’s from in and around Reading and the south of England.

The Launch party is to be held at Plug ‘n’ Play Studios in Reading. For the launch party ‘This is Techno’ has secured a mouth watering lineup, headlining the event will be London based DJ/Producer PERC and top Swedish DJ/Producer Mikael Jonasson who will be flying in from Stockholm to play LIVE!

We have launched a new Special Offers section on the site this month, to help the people of Reading beat the cash-strapped blues when out and about. Just like it says on the box, the section will showcase money-saving specials from drinksinReading.com participating venues.

We are starting to see some amazing offers added such as Sakura’s complimentary bottle of champagne for groups of six, when visiting Sakura on Friday from 12pm to 7pm with a drinksinReading.com voucher. Offer ends 14th August, so be quick.

See all Special Offers here

Check the Special Offers regularly, as they are changing on a daily basis and if you’d like to see offers from other venues please make sure to mention us to them on your next visit.

Some special offers will be exclusive to regsitered users ONLY, so if you haven’t yet registered for a free user account you can do so here. As well as members only offers, you’ll also get a host of other goodies and features. Hope to see you on the site soon.

Have a good weekend,

Jaime x

Special Offers on drinksinReading.com

The drinksin team descended upon Reading town early on Friday night for a bit of exploratory work, oh and a few drinkies along the way! OK it’s true, a few too many drinkies along the way.

First stop Global RISC Cafe Bar on London Street. In retrospect it was this moment that crystalised the direction for the rest of the evening. Oh why oh why didn’t we line our stomachs with some of their delicious Ethiopian fare. I confess the organic wine was good but food would of been a better option.

The 3B's, Reading

Empty stomached and excitable next stop The 3B’s, more wine consumed but less chatter as we were whisked away on an epic musical journey by an Ella Fitzgerald inspired and beautiful vintage-clad lady on the decks.

After this we made a quick and fairly unmemorable sprint through Reading’s bar street. Yates’, Walkabout and Bar Four. Didn’t realise till now that this is the home of ‘BBC Introducing’ live music night celebrating the local band scene. Find out more here http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2008/05/12/session_introducing_gig_feature.shtml

Next stop The Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. My kind of place and yours if your Mod isnpired and into music – proper! The Oakford is brought to you by the same family that run the infamous Lock Tavern and Start the Bus, Bristol

It is probably here the last train to sensible sleep time should of beckoned but as with every inebriated decision it’s not until the next morning you realise it’s the wrong one.

So forge on we did to Afrobar, which was alas closed so in a last ditch attempt to bring some tranquility back to the evening, the call of the sleek and sophisticated led us to Malmaison where we were charmed by the very delectable South African mixologist Beyers. He makes a mean Caipirinha!

Malmaison, Reading

A few refreshingly strong cocktails later, and post last train back as with most good Reading night’s out The After Dark welcomed us with open arms for £10 entry. Unbelievably this also included three free drinks, but I think I lost the tickets – please tell me I lost the tickets and I wasn’t still drinking!

As always a pleasant and fashion forward crowd. Decidedly young but that’s just me talking as I’m worried I’m becoming decidedly old after some charming but inappropriate use of the word Mum came into a conversation. Just for the record I’m 28…thank you.

Yep and I think that was about it…ooops no it’s not there was more so in true Pulp Fiction style this was the beginning at the end Mix Bar, how could I forget.

Pretty bar at Mix

Well I know how actually. Killer caiprinhas. I think this may have been third or fourth bar, whatever. Good cocktails there too and pretty flower bar oh yes and mustn’t forget the barman, ladies beware.

Cocktails at Mix Bar

Now your probably thinking Reading in the South East of England is the least likely place for a good St Patrick’s Day celebration, but your wrong. This Tuesday Reading’s pubs and it’s inhabitants did the Irish proud.

In search of the perfect St Patrick’s Day craic, the drinksin crew put on their shamrock socks and went on a mid-week quest. First stop The Lyndhurst on Queens Road. We arrived at about 6:30 and took rest at one of the nicely candlelit wooden tables. The pub was busy in an after-work mellow way with a mixture of regular IT after-workers and hungry bookish third year students.

The smell of good food was overwhelming and the low level Irish folk music, half-drunk Guiness glasses dotted around the place and Potato Champ on the Specials Menu gave the sense of a subtle nod to The Green Isle festivities without being crass. The Lyndhurst under it’s new management is going from strength to strength and it seems The Warwick with it’s far eastern influence is likely to set the same kind of pace.

After a quick drink we headed across to the area of Jackson’s Corner where the mood was decidedly sombre and quiet. Worried that we may be missing out on the action we decided to skip a drink in the relatively new bar Copa (good for free wi-fi by the way) and go in the obvious direction of O’Neils by the Town Hall.

Now I’d expected there would be a few more people than usual in town but seeing O’Neils even from the distance we could see it was absolutely heaving with people in silly hats. We even had to queue before eventually being allowed to get in on the action. Behind the bar the staff were suitably fancy dressed up and the Guiness was well and truly flowing. The live band in the corner pulled quite a crowd and you could tell that there was going to be more than one IT bod asleep at their desk following morning.

O'Neils Pub, Reading

Enjoying the craic at O'Neils, Reading

Guiness Extra Cold and Extra Cool

After a few pints of the Black Stuff and uplifted by the festive mood, we decided to head for one last drink in Reading’s famous beardy pub The Hobgoblin and beardy it was but in a good way. Long live The Hobgoblin and all it’s beer mats and beards and boffins and beer. I did have to laugh when I spotted the poster in the toilet though, great message but slightly incongruous setting being at The Hob, couldn’t imagine any of them gentlemanly fellows in the bar being described in this way.

For all you men reading this blog, this is the kind of stuff us girls see when we go into the toilet so if you ever notice us acting a little odd post-toilet break this may be why. Well that and the fact that we’ve just caught sight of ourselves in the mirror and are worried our bum looks big.

Funny toilet poster

Prince of Wales, Caversham

Mike Cobb and his son Nick are now the proud tenants of The Prince of Wales pub in Caversham. The duo, are fairly local hailing from Newbury. Their plans for the pub seem promising with a Ska night held last Saturday and plans for regular quiz nights. Wish them every success with their new venture

In an effort to bring the people of Reading a bit better connected to some of the amazing establishments located in the more tranquil surrounds of the area. The drinksin collective spent a pretty pleasant afternoon visiting the pubs and their numerous landlords around Playhatch, Caversham, Sonning and Twyford.

If you haven’t ventured further than The Oracle or the end of The Oxford Road for some time, do it, there are little gems at every turn.

Our first visit took us just a stones throw to Caversham Bridge. After months in ‘The Ding’ thought best to take it slowly, for fear of town centre withdrawl symptoms. First stop The Island Bar (ok, this doesn’t really fall into the Traditional or Pub category, but it was freeking hot outside and it gives you that sexy holiday vibe, in spades)

Island Bar, Caversham

Then off to a more suitable trad, pub venue The Griffin which doesn’t dissapoint. The Griffin is said to be a home away from home for many locals and regulars, and according to Chef and Brewer ‘is renowned throughout the Reading area for good food and a varied menu’.

The Bull Inn, Sonning

The Bull Inn, Sonning, wow!!!! This quintessentially English inn is mentioned in the novel “Three Men in a Boat”.

Sonning is the most fairylike little nook on the whole river. If you stop at Sonning, put up at The Bull, behind the Church. It is a veritable picture of an English country inn”.
(Jerome K Jerome)

All of the above is true. Food looks spot on as well and the staff along with the decor are oh so warm and welcoming. If your planning a ‘take the parents’ out day soon, family treat or some other ‘I must go to a Country pub for this occasion’ visits, try it out, it won’t dissapoint.

Some other recommended countryside spots around Reading:

1. The Shoulder of Mutton, Playhatch

2. The New Inn, Kidmore End, Reading

3. The Cunning Man, Burghfield Bridge, Reading

4. The Cross Keys, Pangbourne

If you know of any other cracking spots a little outside of Reading, please mention in the comments section so we and others can check them out.