London Cocktail Week 2018 – all you need to know

As the self-certified queen of cocktails, I am SO EXCITED about London Cocktail Week 2018. The new website (and App) are incredible and so intuitive. The only problem is, they scheduled the event right when I was supposed to be taking on Sober October. There goes all my good intention.

The host of bars participating in London Cocktail Week 2018 this year spreads across the entire capital – from Shepherds Bush to Shoreditch. For £10 you’ll get a digital pass (which you can download to Drink.Up’s snazzy new app) giving you access to £6 scrummy cocktails across the city (£4 for non-alcoholic beverages). What’s more, you can now plan your cocktail crawl of London based on your tipple of choice, whether you’re a virGIN or always in high Spirits. In case you don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a guide for all the best bits:

Going Global:

The Broken Shaker Pop-up at Madison

For the first time in London, one of America’s most famous bars, The Broken Shaker (ranked one of the world’s 50 best bars) is popping up at Madison. Hailing from Miami, the Broken Shaker pop-up will carry an array of bespoke cocktails designed by cocktail extraordinaire Bobby Eldrige, accompanied by Miami’s top female bartender, Courtney Lane. Madison is an old favourite for Seen in the City, promising the best view of St Paul’s Cathedral for miles around. The tropical-themed pop-up will run from 2-5 October, juxtaposing ‘backyard’ style décor against the dome of one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Find out more here.

For Fashionistas:

House of Peroni at The Village

This summer has been all about the Aperitivo, with everyone from Martini to Peroni participating. Over 3-7 October, the House of Peroni is popping up at the home of London Cocktail Week 2018, where visitors can sample six aperitivo-inspired cocktails from the brand’s “Restyled” menu. The event is inspired by the House of Peroni’s designer collective, which celebrates the work of eight emerging fashion designers. Uniting fashion and fizz, each cocktail is designed by an up-and-coming bar talent, hailing from London to Manchester. Find out more here.

Best for Small Batch:

Anywhere in Aldgate or Shoreditch

There are plenty of top shelf spirits to be found at participating Central London bars, but if you really want to experience something new and original, you’ll have to head east. We’re excited about the Santiago & Drag at Looking Glass using Waqar Pisco and La Vie Quincessentially starring the recently revived Bulleit Bourbon at Lady Abercorn’s. Keen on small batch delights but not the Uber surge of Shoreditch to get home? Try the Fig Cheese at the City of London Distillery with Cold Christopher Wren Gin or the Canova Bramble at Brixton’s Canova Hall, which is made with the venue’s very own Canova Hall Small Batch gin.

The VIP Venue:

Schweppes X London Eye

If you want to impress a date this week or make the most of LCW with friends, head to the London Eye for the Schweppes Flavour Adventure. The hour long experience includes a Schweppes mixology class and tasting in the London Eye champagne bar followed by a 30-min rotation on the city’s favourite ferris wheel, with fast-track entry and a complimentary cocktail of your choice. Tickets cost £36.90. To top it off, you’ll also get a free pass to London Cocktail Week, which basically makes this a bargain. Find out more here.

Branching out:

Bluebird Café, White City; Mint Gun Club, Stoke Newington

With the event having grown so much this year, you’re bound to find London Cocktail Week festivities taking place right on your doorstep. West Londoners can head to the Bluebird Café in White City for the BBC Collins or Northerners can go to the Mint Gun Club in Stoke Newington for a whole host of activities in participation with L.N. Mattei Cap Corse.

For Good Girls and Boys

Bourne & Hollingsworth;  All Star Lanes

Both the Bourne & Hollingsworth Fitzrovia and the Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings at Clerkenwell are serving up the Chermin-de-Fer non-alcoholic tonic with Darjeeling tea, fresh pressed lime and coconut water. Sounds scrumptious! Meanwhile, at All Star Lanes, you can find the Bubba Loma, blending fresh juices with Bubblegum syrup. It’s childhood in a glass.

The Variety Show:

The Light House X London Essence

London Essence is one of our favourite new mixers and tonic brands and we’re so excited about the range of events it’s hosting at The Light House from 1 to 6 October for London Cocktail Week 2018. Delivering a multisensory experience that encourages ‘a lighter life’ in every sense of the word, guests will be treated to low-calorie cocktails, light-up simulations and a series of ‘Light Talks’ in partnership with Healthy Hospo on everything from mental health to community life. What’s more, every night will be hosted by a guest bartender, hand selected by the London Essence, with experts visiting from The Savoy, The Connaught and as far as Hong Kong and Mexico. Find out more here.

Find out more about London Cocktail Week 2018 here: drinkup.london

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