London Cocktail Week is back – bigger than ever before. The biggest cocktail festival in the world has taken residence not just for a week but the whole month of October at the new Cocktail Village in Covent Garden and across London. Quite simply, a whole month of £7 cocktails at over 200 of London’s best bars with pop ups, parties, take overs, dinners and much much more.
With so many activities to choose from, London Cocktail Week organisers Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne have picked out the not-to-be-missed festival highlights.
The Essence House – a Multi-Sensorial Drinking Experience
The heart of the hub for London Cocktail Week in Covent Garden, The Essence House will be an immersive, multi-sensorial 45 minute drinking experience, which allows you to understand your personal palate profile. With expert guidance, you will enjoy an intricate series of flavour and aroma tests, designed to help you uncover new ways to reimagine taste and understand the impact of effervescence, temperature, and garnish. With these next level skills, you’ll learn how to reinvent the way you create cocktails for both yourself, and others, before heading out to the rooftop terrace where you’ll be welcomed by talented bartenders serving signature London Essence cocktails.
In addition to this, and a first for London Essence, it will be hosting the main bar of the pop-up in partnership with the festival. Presenting a spectacular bar, with exquisite cocktails – showcasing a bespoke menu, that includes hand-picked cocktails from the world’s finest bars. The cocktails will be renewed throughout October and feature local, seasonal ingredients from the bartenders’ home countries. London Essence’s exquisite mixers from distilled botanicals, will be paired with Hennessey VS Cognac, Martin Miller’s Gin, X by Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky and Belvedere Organic Infusions. The full experience is curated and operated by our friends at Global Bartending.
2-24 October 2021 | Full Essence House Experience takes 45 minutes and includes 2 cocktails, £20 | Carriage Hall, 29 Floral Street, WC2E 9DP | More Details and tickets here
Discarded launches The World’s Most Rubbish Bar
Zero-waste spirits brand, Discarded Spirits Co., is launching a first of its kind and decidedly unique drinking experience: The World’s Most Rubbish Bar. Immersive, stylish and sustainable, it will take locally sourced to another level, with the world’s leading bars including the likes of The NoMad, Silo, Lyaness, Artesian and Eve Bar, transforming ‘waste’ into exquisite sustainable Discarded cocktails. More than just a bar, the drinking spectacle will take you on a beautifully designed journey of discovery from the moment you arrive, reframing how you perceive waste whilst also celebrating three innovative, sustainable, and utterly delicious spirits from the Discarded Spirits Co. – Discarded Grape Skin Vodka, Discarded Banana Peel Rum, Discarded Sweet Cascara Vermouth – all of which creatively reuse otherwise wasted ingredients. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the anti-waste charity, Felix Project.
15-17 October 2021 | Two Hour Experience, including 5 cocktails, £20 | The Ditch, Old Street, EC1V 9LT | More Details
Two Schmucks pop up at Lyaness – 7 and 8 October
Two of the world’s best cocktail bars and a celebrated whisky join forces for an exclusive pop-up to kick off London Cocktail Month in style. For two, no-holds-barred evenings on 7 & 8 October, critically-acclaimed cocktail bar Two Schmucks, in collaboration with DEWAR’S Whisky, will be taking over Lyaness, for an immersive ‘Five Star Dive Bar’ experience. Two Schmucks will bring its style, music and ‘flavour is king’ ethos to Lyaness in London with an exclusive cocktail menu using DEWAR’s innovative Cask Series whiskies.
Two Schmucks and Lyaness will collaborate on four exclusive cocktails that combine each of the bar’s styles. Two Schmucks will also be showcasing four of its own cocktail serves from the bar’s new menu which is set to launch in October so you can expect 8 special cocktails AND a slushie machine!
To book a table please contact the team on 0203 747 1063 or email lyaness@seacontainerslondon.com
Buffalo Bourbon Empire
The acclaimed Buffalo Bourbon Empire pop-up by Buffalo Trace is back this London Cocktail Week, with a month-long celebration of whiskey and cocktails. The Buffalo Bourbon Empire is an immersive experience celebrating everything cocktail culture, taking over Milroy’s of Spitalfields for the month of October. The iconic four-story whiskey venue will host a full calendar of entertaining, engaging and educational cocktail masterclasses, food pairing experiences and tasting events showcasing rare and exceptional spirits.
Guests at the Buffalo Bourbon Empire can look forward to American whiskey tastings from the most-awarded distillery in the world, Buffalo Trace, as well as award-winning Indian single malts from Paul John and rare cognac from Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac.
01-31 October 2021 | Free Entry, cocktails from £7 for wristband wearers | Milroy’s of Shoreditch, 76 Commercial Street, E1 6LY | More Details
BrewDog Distilling Co. Lost Forest
The BrewDog Lost Forest is a world of its own. Situated in the buzzing hub of Covent Garden, escape to the wilderness, head into the woods and experience an incredible range of bespoke cocktails and exclusive access to the brand new Brewdog spirits portfolio launching in October.
BrewDog in Seven Dials will transform its upper level bar into a thriving Scottish forest for the whole month of London Cocktail Week, featuring a lush selection of ‘zero waste’ rum, vodka and gin cocktails (all brand new spirits) a series of forest themed events, a curated ‘living wall’ for the ultimate plant-powered selfie. Every single element of the cocktails served will be edible – from the cups to the liquid to the garnish.
01-31 October | Free entry, cocktails from £7 for wristband wearers | BrewDog Seven Dials, 142 Shaftesbury Ave, WC2H 8HJ | More Details
Salon Courvoisier
Nightjar, Oriole and Courvoisier have partnered to bring to you Salon Courvoisier throughout October. Indulge in beautifully crafted cocktails with the World’s Most Awarded Cognac House, deliciously paired food and vibrant live music composed by musicians creating the future of modern jazz. The perfect opportunity to bring everyone together at the end of the day to celebrate and be joyful.
You can also book a tableside exploration into the world of Cognac, cocktails and aroma. Enjoy a guided tour through award-winning Courvoisier cognacs by one of the world’s best bartenders, and sample a perfectly crafted refreshing cocktail before learning how to create your own bespoke Daisy-style serve.
01-31 October | Free entry, cocktails from £7 for wristband wearers | Nightjar, 129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB and Oriole, E Poultry Ave, EC1A 9LH | More Details
The Macallan Manor House Winter Terrace
This winter, The Macallan has partnered with Rosewood London to transform their iconic courtyard terrace into a luxurious Scottish manor house, bringing a taste of the Scottish countryside to the heart of London.
Launching on 6 October, discover gastronomic experiences, inspired by the Roca Brothers’ (world-renowned chefs and owners of twice named Best Restaurant in the World) visit to London where they immersed themselves in the essence of the city; exploring different cultures and sourcing inspiration for their world of gastronomy by meeting other masters of their craft, including the tea master from JING Tea, purveyors of the best single estate teas from across the globe.
The Macallan Manor House at Rosewood London brings two worlds together: pairing exceptional single malt with expertly crafted JING Tea. This unique and interactive experience offers guests a chance to create their own bespoke Hot Toddy, using also exotic herbs and spices from around the world. The Macallan Manor House at Rosewood London will also be partnering with London Cocktail Week and will be offering a delicious serve as part of the £7 Signature Cocktails.
From 6 October | Cocktails from £7 for wristband wearers | To book, email London.restaurants@roswoodhotels.com and quote ‘London Cocktail Week’
THE BEST OF THE £7 COCKTAILS
World Class Cocktail Collection
This year, there are more than 250 bars taking part and so to help navigate the list, the World Class Cocktail Collection is back – to celebrate the city’s world-class status. Featuring World Class brands including Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray No. TEN gin, Johnnie Walker and Talisker whiskies in bars right across the city including Black Rock, Adam Handling’s Eve Bar, 40 Elephants at The Great Scotland Yard Hotel or Bar Américain in the heart of the West End – there’s delicious £7 World Class cocktails awaiting all those wearing a festival wristband.
01-31 October 2021 | Cocktails from £7 for wristband wearers | London-wide | More Details
A spicy Paloma at Los Mochis
Celebrated for mixing Mexican spirit with Japanese elegance, Los Mochis is home to one of the most interesting selections of small batch artisanal agaves and tequila in town. Newly opened on one of London’s cutest streets is brand new Los Mochis, an all day Pan-Pacific experience, mixing Mexican spirit with Japanese elegance, Mexican design with Japanese coolness and importantly, Mexican flavours with Japanese techniques.
The spicy Paloma is a heady mix of Patron Silver Tequila, lime, pink grapefruit & chilli tincture, topped with grapefruit soda and a spiced rim.
01-31 October 2021 | £7 for wristband wearers | Notting Hill | More Details
London Cocktail Week at home
London Cocktail Week at Home, in partnership with The Drinks Drop, brings a pick of the £7 Signature cocktails from The Cocktail Tours to homes nationwide. For those who prefer socialising at home, those that want to extend their celebrations or, for those that don’t live in London, single-serve cocktails created by a selection of London’s best bars will be available for next day delivery – or same day within London – delivered by bartenders on bikes.
A QR code on the cocktail packaging takes you to perfect serve information, including garnish and information all about the ingredients. To ensure environmental sustainability, each delivery is even provided with return envelopes for the used packaging.
01-31 October 2021 | £7 Cocktails delivered nationwide | More Details
Moët & Chandon Champagne Cocktail Collection
Moët & Chandon Champagne have added a little extra luxury this London Cocktail Week at a hand-picked collection of bars across London, who will be offering a special upgrade. As an upgrade option to the £7 offering, wristband wearers can “Make it Royale” with a £10 cocktail made with Moët & Chandon Champagne at bars including Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration, City Social, Publiq. and Callooh Callay.
01-31 October 2021 | Moët & Chandon Champagne cocktails at £10 for wristband wearers | London-wide | More Details
THE BEST OF THE EVENTS
Rediscover the flavours of the capital through food and cocktail pairings
Take a sensory voyage and enjoy the craftmanship of the city’s best bartenders as they serve up food and drink experiences, featuring Patrón tequila, Grey Goose vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, Bacardi rum and many more. From Fords gin martinis and oysters to multi course dinners with drinks pairings, there will be an explosion of flavours on offer. Everyone will find something to entice them to dive back into London’s world-leading cocktail scene.
Cocktail & Cactus Grafting workshop with PRICK LDN & Horse with No Name
BRAND NEW Bourbon infused with Habanero, Horse with No Name, has partnered with PRICK, London’s first cacti and succulent boutique to create a unique event for cactus and cocktail lovers.
Join PRICK founder and self-proclaimed cactus addict Gynelle Leon and the Horse with No Name saloon team for a one-of-a-kind workshop to practice the art of cactus grafting – a form of tissue engineering that has been practised for thousands of years – and learn how to make your favourite bourbon cocktails.
With a cocktail in hand and guided by Gynelle, discover how to combine creativity and plant propagation to create your own unique cactus to take home. The Horse with No Name saloon team will then host a cocktail masterclass at the bar, where you will try flights of different bourbon cocktails to discover your favourite and learn how to make it.
06-9 October 2021 | £25 per person to include two cocktails, a cocktail tasting flight and potted PRICK cactus to take home | Shallow Roots, Unit 14 Palmers Road, E2 0SY | More Details
Get the gang back together and elevate your evening
Get the gang back together at these events designed by Brown-Forman to help you immerse yourself in cocktail culture whilst catching up with your friends. With socialising having been off the cards for too long, these events are designed to elevate your evening with a memorable sensory experience without jeopardising the chance to connect with pals.
From a coffee tour with Slane Irish Whiskey, to Fords Gin Martini and Oyster Pairing evenings, an evening learning about the power of aroma with Woodford Reserve, to an elaborate Caledonian Forest whisky pairing dinner with Benriach, join Brown-Forman for a month-long exploration of all the city has to offer.
01-31 October | Cocktails and paired snacks from £7 for wristband wearers | London-wide | More Details
You can purchase London Cocktail Week wristbands for £15 HERE
All imagery courtesy of London Cocktail Week.
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