Sutherland House, the hotel and seafood restaurant in Southwold, has launched a new luxury Cocktail and Champagne Bar.

The business, which occupies one of the oldest and most important buildings in Southwold, dating from as early as 1455, has recognised the growing popularity of cocktails

Sutherland House owner Andy Rudd said: “Cocktails are cool in London and it is about time there was a trendy cocktail bar to serve the stylish Southwold market.

“In town most other places are about beer or wine, so we figured that our new bar would offer something different for guests of all ages, so that they can have a novelty drink before or after dinner.

“We are planning to hold master-classes to teach people the art of mixology, the term for mixing cocktails in a theatrical environment.”

The bar is decked with historic wooden wine boxes behind which Bellinis, Margarettas and Mojitos are served in the 1660 pargetted ceilinged entrance room.

Mr Rudd added: “Since we purchased Sutherland House nearly two years ago we have made significant improvements throughout the business and we think this innovative bar gives us a smooth new edge.”

Carina Perkins from the specialist hospitality sector website BigHospitality said: “The UK has seen an unprecedented cocktail boom over recent years and the category is set to outpace the drinks market this year, as consumers look for something special on their big night out.”

Sutherland House’s restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes and the hotel has received five gold stars in the AA’s Restaurant with Rooms category.

One of the bedrooms is known as the Duke of York Room, after the brother of King Charles II, who later succeeded him as James II, who used the room for 10 years in the 1660s and 1670s during his time as high admiral of the English Navy during the Anglo-Dutch war,

Another bedroom is named after the Earl of Sandwich, an admiral who was also resident in the house during the Anglo-Dutch war (and who died in the Battle of Sole Bay, fought just off Southwold in May 1672), and a suite is named after a former owner of the property, Dr John Sutherland, a retired ship’s doctor who became Mayor of Southwold, from whom it takes its name.