Wowie forget a sober October as next week is London Cocktail Week. Music festival season is over and next up is the UK’s leading drinks festival. LCW (not LFW) is back for its fifth year, bigger and better than ever. We’ve had enough celebrating music and fashion so let’s toast some alcoholic beverages instead.
From Monday 6th to Sunday 12th October 2014 cocktail lovers will be able to shake, sip and celebrate their way to a fantastic showcase of the capital’s unrivalled cocktail culture. Taking place across 200 of London’s leading participating bars, this year will be jam-packed with more tastings, master classes, pop-ups and parties than ever before.
Every hour next will will be a happy one! Highlights for discerning drinkers include:
PARIS IN LONDON WITH GRAND MARNIER – CECIL’S, LONDON BRIDGE
On selected nights throughout the week, bartenders from some of Paris’ most renowned bars will bring their Parisian flair to London as they guest bartend with Brand Ambassador, Julien LaFond. During each takeover, visitors will be immersed in a world of French flavour with Parisian music and Grand Marnier-infused dishes, including the iconic Crêpes Suzettes. They may also be treated to a special appearance from the Grand Marnier Charm Squad, who will be dropping in to offer a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ to consumers with special prizes and Grand Marnier hints and tips. Entry free.
At the London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub, festivalgoers can collect their wristbands and plan activities throughout the week. Located within Seven Dials, Covent Garden, the Ketel One Hub will be transformed into a farmer’s market, bursting with seasonal fruits, herbs and vegetables. Cocktail enthusiasts will be able to explore and discover ingredients to create their own seasonal Ketel One Vodka cocktail, before being guided through the process by expert mixologist and Brand Ambassador, Dave Beatty.
For those looking to explore beyond the West End, Hixter Bar in Liverpool Street will play host to the London Cocktail Week Tanqueray Hub, where visitors will also be able to collect their wristbands and explore even more fantastic bars in East London.
TANQUERAY NO. TEN HUB – HIXTER, DEVONSHIRE SQUARE
Offering a taste of Tanqueray throughout the ages, guests will be able to explore the glamorous past of gin at the Tanqueray No. TEN Hub. Discreetly tucked away in the underground Mark’s Bar beneath Hixter, the hub will celebrate the style and sophistication of the 1920s with live bands, flapper dancers and exclusive gin and food pairing dinners. In addition, daily master-classes led by Brand Ambassador, Tim Homewood will guide gin lovers on a journey through the history of the spirit, brought to life with experimental cocktails and dramatic flourishes. Entry and master-classes free.
BULLEIT BOURBON 1950s DINER – LONDON COCKTAIL CLUB, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE
Bulleit Bourbon and London Cocktail Club will bring a slice of the Midwest to the West End with an authentic 1950’s pop-up American Diner. Taking residency in London Cocktail Club on Shaftesbury Avenue, the Bulleit Bourbon Diner will celebrate indulgent, old fashion fun times and new age kicks. The transformed bar will feature a traditional Bulleit juke box playing 50’s sing along classics, roller-skating waitresses and a Bulleit cocktail menu to accompany classic diner dishes. Bulleit Hard Shakes and cocktails will be served alongside American favourites such as corn dogs, deep fried pickles in Bulleit Rye batter and fries with Cajan salt dusting. Entry Free.
DON JULIO MEXICAN STREET FESTIVAL – TRANSLATE BAR, KINGSLAND ROAD
Don Julio returns to Translate Bar once again, transforming the venue into a lively Mexican street scene adorned with artworks influenced by Don Julio’s rich heritage. For the duration of the week, visitors can savour the largest and most eclectic list of Tequila cocktails in East London whilst tucking into Mexican street food, inspired by the serves. Top DJs will create a Mexican party atmosphere throughout the week. Just don’t be late to the fiesta; from 5pm daily, the first 50 customers to buy a Don Julio cocktail will have the opportunity to create, make and wear their own bespoke Mexican inspired T-Shirts. Entry free.
ZACAPA IMMERSIVE TASTING EXPERIENCE – KETEL ONE LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK HUB
A fully immersive flavour experience will await guests that locate the secret Zacapa tasting chamber within the Ketel One London Cocktail Week Hub. Guided on a sensory journey, rum lovers will ‘travel’ to Zacapa’s origins in The House Above The Clouds, 2300m above sea level in the Guatemalan rainforest, followed by a special tasting created by a renowned guest chef. Entry by token, available at the Ketel One London Cocktail Week Hub.
TALISKER TASTING SESSIONS – THE PUNCH ROOM, LONDON EDITION HOTEL
On Thursday 9th October, visitors to the Punch Room and the London Edition Hotel will be able to sample a delicious variety of canapés expertly paired with six expressions of Talisker. Live rhythm and blues bands will introduce each whisky as Whisky Ambassador Colin Dunn guides guests through each delicious pairing. Tickets £20.
“AIN’T NO FOOLIN’ WITH THE LAGAVULIN” TASTING SESSIONS – WORSHIP ST WHISTLING SHOP, WORSHIP STREET
For one night only, on Monday 6th October, whisky enthusiasts can join Colin Dunn and his band The Lagavulins at Worship St Whistling Shop for a musical tasting of Lagavulin 12, 16, and Distillers Edition. Guests can expect a whisky-filled evening tasting six of Islay’s finest drams accompanied with a soundtrack of live rhythm & blues. Tickets £35.
HOW CAN I GO TO THIS?????
To sign up to what is guaranteed to be one of this year’s hottest events, guests are required simply to register at LondonCocktailWeek.com from 18th August 2014 for a £10 wristband which can be collected from the London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub or London Cocktail Week Tanqueray Hub. Wristbands will give access to the self-guided Cocktail Tours, the highlight of London Cocktail Week, where wearers can enjoy specially created cocktails for just £4 at 200 of the capital’s leading bars, as well as attend numerous pop-up events and parties.
Wearing an LCW wristband is like being part of the best members club ever. A quick flash of the band opens doors to bars all across the capital who are ready to make you a delicious cocktail for just £4. Drinks are unlimited plus there’s so many more deals and discounts…http://www.londoncocktailweek.
At the London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub, festivalgoers can collect their wristbands and plan activities throughout the week. Located within Seven Dials, Covent Garden, the Ketel One Hub will be transformed into a farmer’s market, bursting with seasonal fruits, herbs and vegetables. Cocktail enthusiasts will be able to explore and discover ingredients to create their own seasonal Ketel One Vodka cocktail, before being guided through the process by expert mixologist and Brand Ambassador, Dave Beatty.
For those looking to explore beyond the West End, Hixter Bar in Liverpool Street will play host to the London Cocktail Week Tanqueray Hub, where visitors will also be able to collect their wristbands and explore even more fantastic bars in East London. Get involved – any excuse for a drink!
