Which bars were the stars?

Oregon State University cheered us up this year. Its scientists discovered that a compound unique to hops protected us from some of the nastiest diseases known to man.

And it kept us young.

This cheering news broke just as the Evening Standard's pub and bar spies were preparing the way for the Evening Standard's annual Pub and Bar of the Year contest. It gave them a new spring to their step, and here we are with 20 fine contenders.

These, then, are the semi finalists for 2001. One will emerge as Pub of the Year, one as Bar of the Year. We'll announce the finalists next week. Meanwhile, let's drink to magical hops.

The ten best pubs of the year

The ten best bars of the year