London is embodying the summer spirit in more ways than one this year, and there is one activity that should be at the top of everyone’s to-do list. Few drinks embody effortless sophistication like a £7 martini. Crisp, elegant, and endlessly adaptable, it has long been the cocktail of choice for everyone from Hollywood icons to modern-day tastemakers.
Londoners are being invited to celebrate the enduring appeal of the martini in a uniquely immersive way, thanks to the launch of the East London Martini Map.
Created by The Boatyard Distillery and Cocchi Vermouth, the week-long initiative transforms some of Shoreditch’s most exciting drinking destinations into a walkable martini trail. Running from 12-20 June 2026, the experience invites cocktail enthusiasts to explore East London one £7 martini at a time.
Whether you’re a lifelong martini devotee or simply looking for the perfect excuse to spend a summer evening barhopping through Shoreditch, this one event is worth marking in your diary. This great idea is masterminded by Speciality Brands, the creative force behind the East London Martini Map. Using its portfolio stars The Boatyard Distillery and Cocchi Vermouth, Speciality Brands has shaped a journey that celebrates provenance, craftsmanship and the art of a perfectly balanced serve. More than a simple bar map, it reflects the company’s ability to connect exceptional drinks brands with culture, neighbourhoods and real drinking moments, placing Speciality Brands firmly at the centre of the martini conversation.
Why World Martini Day Matters
Celebrated annually on 20 June, World Martini Day honours one of the most iconic cocktails ever created. Yet, today’s martini is enjoying something of a renaissance.
Across London’s leading bars, consumers are increasingly gravitating towards cleaner, drier, and more spirit-forward serves, moving away from overly sweet cocktails in favour of drinks that champion craftmanship and premium ingredients.
The martini has become a symbol of this shift, appearing on menus everywhere from neighbourhood cocktail dens to luxury hotel bars.
The East London Martini Map is a celebration of exactly that balance between heritage and innovation.
The East London Martini Map: A Cocktail Trail Through Shoreditch
At the heart of the initiative is a simple but brilliant concept: a curated cocktail trail connecting some of East London’s most beloved bars, all within walking distance of one another.
Centered around Redchurch Street and the wider Shoreditch neighbourhood, the map encourages guests to spend the week exploring a collection of venues that are helping shape London’s contemporary drinks culture, one day at a time.
Each participating bar has created exclusive martini serves using Boatyard Gin or Vodka, paired with Cocci Vermouth, with every cocktail available for just £7 throughout the promotion. That is exceptional value for these awesome ingredients.
Beyond the drinks themselves, the experience offers something increasingly rare in London hospitality: the chance to slow down, wander between venues and discover a neighbourhood through its bars, one perfectly chilled martini at a time.
The Bars to Visit (and What to Order)
Equal Parts
One of East London’s most exciting cocktail destinations, Equal Parts is serving three inventive martini-inspired creations during happy hour.
Highlights include the bright and citrus-led Preserved Lemon Martini, a refreshing Cucumber & Elderflower Vesper, and the intriguingly tropical Dry Mango Martini, which balances fruit-forward notes with classic martini structure.
Mad Cats
Known for its boundary-pushing approach to cocktails, Mad Cats delivers some of the trail’s most adventurous serves.
The floral and peppery So Fresh So Clean combines nasturtium-infused gin with pink pepper syrup, while In The Groove layers mango-infused vodka with sake and vermouth. For those who enjoy a little heat, Dirty Harryintroduces chili brine, za’atar liqueur, and Scotch bonnet tincture into the mix.
The Sun Tavern & Umbrella Workshop
These neighbouring venues offer two elegant interpretations of the martini format.
The Umbrella Vesper delivers a refined take on the classic Vesper. At the same time, Figure of Speech combines fig leaf and crème de pear with Boatyard Gin and Cocchi Extra Dry Vermouth for a beautifully aromatic serve.
Rain Dogs
Sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate luxury.
Rain Dogs embraces the martini in its purest form, offering guests a choice between a Dry, Wet, or Dirty Martini, allowing the quality of the ingredients to take centre stage.
Without Papers
For traditionalists, Without Papers is a must-visit stop.
Alongside classic Gin and Vodka Martinis, the venue is serving a Chinotto Martinez, a sophisticated variation featuring Boatyard Old Tom Gin and Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino.
Even More Specialities
Events throughout the week add another layer to the celebration. On 18 June, Equal Parts will host a collaboration with acclaimed Irish bar Cask Cork, while The Sun Tavern will mark World Martini Day itself with complimentary oysters, martinis, and live music.
This pairing of the fantastic map with extra treats on the side is truly worth your time this summer. What’s a better way to spend the evening?
The Verdict
At a time when experiential dining and drinking continue to shape London’s hospitality scene, the East London Martini Map feels perfectly judged.
Part cocktail trail, part neighbourhood discovery experience, and part celebration of one of the world’s most iconic drinks, it offers an irresistible excuse to spend a week exploring some of East London’s finest bars.
For anyone who appreciates great cocktails, stylish settings, and the simple pleasure of a perfectly made martini, this may well be London’s most sophisticated yet entertaining summer outing.
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All images courtesy of: Speciality Brands.