It’s here, London Cocktail Week – the biggest drinks festival in the UK is about to take over the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden for a week-long celebration of our capital’s unrivalled cocktail culture.
From 8th to 14th October 2012, visitors to the historic area of Seven Dials will be sipping, shaking and partying their way through a host of activities including:
- London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub at 15 Shorts Gardens where visitors can collect their official wristband to unlock offers throughout Seven Dials and London including £4 cocktails, and also enjoy a drink in their speakeasy bar or attend a daily cocktail-making masterclass.
- No less than seven cocktail pop-up bars including The Ginstitute where Gin tutors will teach Ginterns how to create their own bespoke gin; Smatt’s Rum & Ice Cream Shack which combines rum, cocktails and ice cream all into one; be put through your cocktail-making paces at Bon Vivant on Monkey Shoulder’s Bar & Cocktail Bootcamp; or sample one of Dickens’ favoured libations at Hendrick’s Gin Mobile Library plus visit Kamm and Sons Punch and Judy bar where you can indulge in an exciting new Bergamot ‘Punch’ and a cocktail named Judy.
- Cocktails as you shop – a host of Seven Dials stores and boutiques will stay open late to let shoppers sip on delicious cocktails as they browse their rails. Just a few of those involved are erotic emporium Coco De Mer which will serve Cointreau cocktails throughout the week, new menswear store Foxhall will host The Foxhall Sensorium – an exclusive pop-up bar of drinks by Scottish gin Caorunn and aromatic adventures to elevate the senses and resident men’s grooming establishment Murdock London presents an evening of bespoke cocktails and microdistilling wizardry from Scared, one of London’s most prestigious new gin producers.
- £4 cocktails at a host of Seven Dials bars and pubs including Detroit, L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon, the Dial Bar at the Mercer Street Hotel, Kopapa, Pix, Hawksmoor, The Crown Public House and The Two Brewers, plus special dining offers at restaurants including Belgo Centraal and Wildwood Kitchen.
Outside of Seven Dials, the London Cocktail Week Cocktail Tours will once again be taking place, with some of the best bars in the city throwing open their doors to offer a bespoke London Cocktail Week cocktail for just £4 to wristband wearers. Take a ride on The London Cocktail Week vintage Routemaster buses to visit areas not within walking distance of Seven Dials. Buses leave from Centre Point at 7pm and 9pm – expect to be entertained during your journey.
To register for your £4 London Cocktail Week wristband and bus pass visit Londoncocktailweek.com .
POP-UPS AND MASTERCLASSES
Head to Seven Dials to enjoy a cocktail in one of our exclusive pop-up bars, or try your hand at learning the art of cocktail making with bespoke masterclasses in Covent Garden’s only Village.
London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub, 15 Shorts Gardens, WC2H 9AT
Seven Dials will play host to the London Cocktail Week hub in association with Ketel One Vodka. This hub will be the collection point for the London Cocktail Week wristbands unlocking offers throughout Seven Dials and the rest of London. The pop-up will also house a speakeasy bar with daily masterclasses. Booking advised.
Dates & times: Wristband collection open Monday 8 th October to Sunday 14 th October, 10am–8pm. Masterclasses hosted daily from 5.30-6.30pm.
Smatt’s Rum & Ice Cream Shack, 53 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DG
Rum, cocktails and ice cream all in one pop up? Yup, in fact you can get them all in one delicious mouthful at the Smatt’s Rum & Ice Cream Shack. Reservations for the daily masterclasses advised or just pop by for a drink.
Dates & times: Monday 8th October to Sunday 14 th October, noon–9pm.
Bon Vivant on Monkey’s Shoulder , 51 Neal Street, WC2H 9AT
Come and join the party as infamous Edinburgh bar Bon Vivant and the Monkey Shoulder team serve up playful twists, subversive slings, flips and grogs in their familiar warm and welcoming style. Plenty to taste and most importantly – to enjoy. Also take part in their Cocktail Bootcamps – booking essential – or just pop by for a drink.
Dates & times: Monday 8 th October to Sunday 14 th October, 11am–9pm.
Cocktail Bootcamps will take place 6.30-8.30pm on Tuesday 9 th , Wednesday 10 th & Thursday 11 th October.
Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka at Mercer Street Hotel, 20 Mercer Street, WC2H 9HD
Polish vodka, Zubrowka will be entertaining Mercer Street Hotel visitors with a menu inspired by the unique herbaceous taste of the original bison grass vodka. The hotel will also play host to a number of masterclasses by other spirits and liqueurs. Advance booking essential.
Dates & times: Monday 8 th October to Sunday 14 th October, various times.
The Ginstitute, 15-16 Thomas Neal Centre, Cucumber Alley, WC2H 9DP
Join the Ginstitute’s resident Gin Instructor as he helps you blend and bottle your own bespoke, one-of-a-kind gin. You’ll get a bottle to take away, and the recipe will be kept on file for you to reorder as often as you need – you will never have to buy supermarket gin again. Just passing? Pop in to pick up a bottle of gin in the Portobello Road Gin Shop.
Dates & times: Open Monday 8 th October to Sunday 14 th October noon–7pm. Gin blending classes at various times.
All masterclasses must be booked in advance. For individual times, full details and booking information, visit LondonCocktailWeek.com
OUT & ABOUT
Whilst strolling through the seven streets of Seven Dials be sure to quench your thirst with a cocktail from one of the unique stalls you’ll spot out and about.
Fever-Tree’s Botanical Bicycle, outside Albam, 39 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD
At Fever-Tree it’s all about taste. Sample their range of premium award-winning all natural mixers served with premium spirits.
Dates & times: Wednesday 10 th October to Saturday 13 th October, 3-7pm.
Hendrick’s Gin Mobile Library, outside Sassoon Saloon, 45a Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DG
Gin has fuelled legendary writers throughout the years, providing curious passages and quality quotes. Pop by the Hendrick’s Gin Mobile Library and sample one of Dickens’ favoured libations!
Dates & times: Friday 12th October noon-7pm, Saturday 13 t and Sunday 14 th October, 12-4pm.
Kamm and Sons Punch and Judy Bar, outside Les Nereides Market, 73 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DJ
The Kamm & Sons Punch & Judy bar will be popping up to offer visitors to Seven Dials a new Bergamot ‘Punch’ recipe and a cocktail named ‘Judy’. Get into character and give it a try!
Dates & times: Thursday 11th October to Saturday 13th October, noon–7pm.
SHOP & SIP
Sip on a cocktail whilst browsing the rails at a host of independent boutiques, heritage brands and indulgent beauty and grooming salons throughout Seven Dials.
Bootlegger Sippin’ Bar at Bolongaro Trevor, 1 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX
Discover Bootlegger – an authentic taste of the American prohibition era. We will be serving the style of 1920s American moonshine, expertly captured by our bartender with the unique Capone cocktail, so get down and get sippin’.
Dates & times: Wednesday 10 th October, 5-7pm;Thursday 11th & Friday 12 th October, 5-8pm; Saturday 13 th October, 1-5pm.
Cointreau Cocktails at Coco de Mer, 23 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD
The erotic emporium in the heart of Seven Dials will be home to a pop up Cointreau bar where shoppers will be treated to cocktails by their expert mixologist and a goodie bag (whilst stocks last), so make sure to drop in!
Dates & times: Monday 8 th October to Sunday 14 th October 4-7pm (Thursday 11 th October, 4-8pm)
Cro’Jack store launch with Greenhall’s Gin, 38 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EP
British menswear brand, Cro’Jack, opening during London Cocktail Week will treat visitors to an exclusive preview of their winter collection whilst enjoying a G&T, courtesy of Greenhall’s Gin.
Dates & times: Wednesday 10 th October, 4-8pm.
The Foxhall Sensorium at Foxhall, 20 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LM
An exclusive pop-up bar of drinks by Scottish gin Caorunn and aromatic adventures to elevate the senses, featuring a bespoke selection of modern classics created and served by some of the country’s finest bartenders.
Dates & times: Thursday 11 th October 4-8pm; Friday 12 th October 4-7pm; Saturday 13 th October 3-6pm.
Murdock Mixology and Sacred Microdistillery, Murdock London, 18 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9HB
Murdock London presents an evening of bespoke cocktails and microdistilling wizardry from Scared, one of London’s most prestigious new gin producers. Event is free, but booking is essential.
Dates & times: Wednesday 10 th October, 7pm. To book/more info: tickets available from moustaches@semperey.com .
BARS & RESTAURANTS
Bars and restaurants in Seven Dials will be throwing open their doors to offer a bespoke London Cocktail Week drink for just £4 as part of the Cocktail Tours, as well as exclusive menu offers upon presentation of your London Cocktail Week wristband.
Enjoy £4 cocktails at the following participating venues:
Café Pacifico, 5 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA (when ordering food)
Detroit, 35 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LD
Dial Bar at Mercer Street Hotel, 20 Earlham Street, WC2H 9HD
Dishoom, St Martin’s Courtyard, 12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2H 9DL
Hawksmoor, 11 Langley Street, WC2H 9JG (when ordering food)
Kopapa, 32-34 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9HA
L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon, 13-15 West Street London, WC2H 9NE
Pix, 63 Neal Street, WC2H 9PJ (when ordering food)
The Crown Public House, 43 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DD
The Two Brewers, 40 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EP
Dine with exclusive offers at the following participating venues:
Belgo Centraal, 50 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LJ
Receive 30% off food bill upon presentation of your London Cocktail Week Wristband. Offer valid from Monday 8 th to Thursday 13 th October, and Sunday 14 th October. Excludes alcohol.
Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9HB
Enjoy Champagne Cocktail Afternoon Tea at Brasserie Max. Available daily 3pm – 6pm in Brasserie Max.
Kopapa, 32-34 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9HA
Kopapa have partnered with Sipsmith Independent Spirits to create three cocktails for London Cocktail Week. Enjoy these cocktails with small plates uniquely designed to complement the drinks, available for £4 each.
Wildwood Kitchen , 2a Monmouth Street, WC2H 8JB
Receive 50% off your food bill upon production of your London Cocktail Wristband. Offer valid for up to six people from Monday 8 th to Friday 12 th October, and Sunday 14 th October. Excludes alcohol.
EVENTS
Cottons Speakeasy, Seven Dials Club, 42 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LA
Celebrate the start of RumFest at a 20s Speakeasy party in Seven Dials in association with Angostura Rum. Dress code: 20s Dress to Impress. Advance booking essential, £10 ticket gains entry and 2 drinks tokens.
Dates & times: Friday 12 th October 8pm-1am.
Meet the Johnnie Walker family, The Loft at The Club at The Ivy, 1-5 West Street, WC2H 9NE
Range tasting hosted by Kabir Suharan & Colin Dunn. Canapés and live music on arrival. Tickets must be purchased in advance, £50.
Dates & times: Thursday 11 th October, 9-11pm.
To book a ticket at these events or for more info visit LondonCocktailWeek.com
To be part of London Cocktail Week, you will need to purchase a wristband. Wristbands are £4 if purchased online in advance at Londoncocktailweek.com and will be ready for collection from Sunday 7 th October from the London Cocktail Week Ketel One Hub at 15 Shorts Gardens. Once the week gets going, wristbands will cost £10. For more information on events and to book please visit Londoncocktailweek.com or Sevendials.co.uk .
See you in Seven Dials!
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