This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Slideshow
The London Cocktail Week 2018 hitlist
Every year since 2010, the capital’s best-known bartenders have marked the start of October with London Cocktail Week; a series of collaborations, guest residencies and special drinks offers.
The week-long event is a celebration of cocktail culture, offering a chance to try some of the capital’s best drinks at London’s top bars at discounted prices, encouraging new audiences to switch from their usual drinks order to something a little more complex.
Drinkers can get a LCW pass from events group DrinkUp’s website for £10, which entitles them to offers at bars, masterclasses, parties, and pop-ups around the city, as well as unlimited entry to the Cocktail Village — the event’s headquarters at east London’s Old Truman Brewery.
London Cocktail Week allows bartenders and bar owners to sell cocktails short and long on their drinks lists for just £6 to anyone with a pass.
London Cocktail week has expanded rapidly during its nine-year run, this year including more than 300 bars across the capital, compared to just 50 when it launched.
We’ve rounded up our pick of the cocktails and parties you need to seek out this year, based on the biggest trends in London’s bar scene right now.
From sober serves to rum deals, this is the drinks business‘ 2018 London Cocktail Week hitlist.
The Rum One
The event
Blacktail at Super Lyan/Cub
Where is it?
155 Hoxton St, N1 6PJ
When is it?
Monday 1 October, 8pm till midnight
What is it?
Havana Club’s Iconica Collection is hosting a team from NYC bar BlackTail for a one-night-only, Cuban pop up at Super Lyan, with a two day Paladar Dining Series pop up upstairs in Cub, featuring one-off dishes and a host of Cuban-inspired drinks.
How much?
Free entry for the pop-up, but the dinner is £80 per head.
The Healthy One
Light installation for light drinks (Photo: London Essence Company)
The event
The Light House with the London Essence Company
Where is it?
5-7 Grape Street, WC2H 8DW
When is it?
Monday 1 October till Saturday 6 October. Day session runs from 11:00am – 4:00pm, with evening session from 5.30pm – 10.30pm
What is it?
Consumers are more health-conscious than ever, and while that may send a few drinks firms into a panic, others see it as an opportunity. The London Essence Company, which works with bartenders to create premium low-calorie mixers, has launched an immersive art exhibition “where perception-shifting light design meets low-calorie cocktails.”
The installation focuses on light and its connection to wellbeing, with different settings for both the day and evening sessions to change the mood. Each night, a different mixologist will be drafted in from London’s top bars to serve low calorie drinks. Erik Lorincz, the head bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar, is kicking things off on Monday.
Meanwhile, guest speakers like James Wong (botanist and broadcaster) and Ben Branson (Founder & CEO at Seedlip) will deliver talks on topics such as well-being, low alcohol drinks, mindfulness and using light to improve nutritional values in ingredients.
How much?
Tickets cost £12 through TimeOut, which includes entry and two cocktails.
The Tequila One
(Photo: Patron)
The event
Drinks at Home
Where is it?
151-155 New North Road, Hoxton, N1 6TA
When is it?
Wednesday 3 October till Friday 5 October, 7pm till 11pm
What is it?
There’s a lot of noise around Tequila this year, and Patron is hosting its own pop-up in a no-longer secret east London location to boost its retail business.
Titled Drinks At Home, guests will take part in cocktail masterclasses with the spirit brand’s bartenders to learn how to mix Patrón cocktails at home, accompanied by sets from Hoxton’s finest DJs.
How much?
Tickets are £15 through Eventbrite, and entitle you to entry plus three cocktails.
The Empowering One
(Photo: Sun Tavern)
The event
Women in Whiskey
Where is it?
The Sun Tavern, 441 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN
When is it?
Friday 5 October
What is it?
It’s coming. Irish and American whiskey sales are on the rise around the world, and the UK is no exception. However, there’s a misconception, even within the industry, that it’s an “intimidating category for women.” Addressing the issue head-on, The Sun Tavern is hosting a Women In Whiskey talk and tasting on Friday. Five female whiskey ambassadors and pioneers will be discussing their roles and the important role women have played in the history of whiskey while guests enjoy a free tasting of their wares.
How much?
Free entry, but the room only seats 20 people, so first come, first served.
The Gin One
The event
Bulldog Brompton Bike Polo
Where is it
The Bike Shed, 384 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LT
When is it?
8 October, afternoon session (1pm – 4pm) or evening session (5pm – 8pm)
What is it?
The gin craze is still going strong, but you know what’s better than a G&T? Drinking a G&T and then trying to ride a bike.
BULLDOG Gin & Brompton Bikes are holding a weekend of Bike Polo (that’s polo, on bikes) at Shoreditch venue The Bike Shed.
Bring two friends to either the day or evening session and register your team to take part. After a spot of tuition from the umpires from Brompton & the London Bike Polo Team, each session will have an FA Cup style knockout tournamentt.
The winning team will win one team member’s weight in BULLDOG Gin & Tonic.
How much?
£10 per person (£30 per team of three) gets you entry into the competition, two cocktails each and canapés. Spectators get in for free.
The Multisensory One
The event
Smith & Sinclair x Made present the Multi-sensorial Cocktail Experience (try saying that after a few)
Where is it?
Made HQ, 5 Singer Street, London, EC2A 4AP
When is it?
4-5 October, 7pm
What is it?
More than just your average cocktail masterclass, this eye-opening workshop shows guests how bartenders can play on the senses to create a unique experience for their customers. There’ll be colour-changing features, edible fragrances, inhaleable drinks, alcoholic gummies, spherification balls, oils and more.
How much?
Tickets are £26.79 through Eventbrite.
The Draught One
The event
Tails Cocktails at LCW
Where is it?
LCW Village, Brick Lane, E1 6LQ
When is it?
3 – 7 October
What is it?
Draught cocktails were one of the movements William Grant & Sons execs noted at the drinks giant’s market report launch earlier this year, so it comes as no surprise that they have a strong presence at LCW’s HQ in Brick Lane.
Tails Cocktails will be bringing its range of batched cocktails to the London Cocktail Week Village from Wednesday until Sunday, including Classic Mojitos and Espresso Martinis on tap.
It’s the only pop-up in the building with its own roof terrace, and guests that know the secret password will be able to ascend the hidden staircase for a bird’s-eye view.
How much?
Free entry when you buy a LCW pass
The Negroni One
The event
Cocchi’s Negroni Journey
Where is it?
TT Liquor, 17B Kingsland Rd, London, E2 8AA
When is it?
6 October, 2pm – 3:30pm, and 7:30pm – 9pm
What is it?
Roberto Bava from vermouth brand Cocchi is holding a talk at Haggerston haunt TT Liquor in honour of the classic negroni. Guests will get a complete run-down of the history behind the drink.
How much?
Tickets are £14, and can be booked via DesignMyNight.