Book the week off work; London Cocktail Week – the biggest drinks festival in the UK – is back and will be basing its main hub in the beautiful Seven Dials area of Covent Garden for the second year. From Monday 7th to Sunday 13th October 2013 get ready to shake, sip and party your way to a fantastic celebration of our capital’s unrivalled cocktail culture.
The roads leading from the central sundial monument will dedicate themselves to all things spirited and high-end luxury hotels, underground bars, retail spaces, hidden courtyards and exclusive members clubs will be buzzing with cocktail aficionados enjoying a mix of unique and classic drinks.Expect pop-up bars, tastings and masterclasses at your favourite Seven Dials stores and venues such as The Cambridge Satchel Company, Coco de Mer, Foxhall London, Superdry, Tatty Devine and Detroit from the likes of Tanqueray Gin, Bacardi Rum, Belvedere Vodka, Monkey Shoulder Whisky and Carounn Gin.
The Ketel One Hub, a curated pop-up space within Seven Dials, will continue to be the wristband collection point during the week, and you can also get drinks-making tips from the experts and meet the London Cocktail Week team who can help you plan your time during the festival. From there, why not stop at the specially created 300 capacity pop-up bar hosted in the renowned Seven Dials Club – open all week with an extended license. For a more interactive experience, pay a visit to one of the many exclusive London Cocktail Week bars popping up across the streets of Seven Dials, including:
Belvedere Martini Bar
Know Your Martini – Belvedere will take you on a voyage of discovery, helping you to navigate your way through the oft confusing world of the perfect Martini, in their luxurious, opulent and glamorous pop-up bar.
38 Earlham Street
Monkey Shoulder DIY Drinks Kitchen
The best parties always happen in the kitchen and with this in mind, the Monkey Shoulder team has decided to throw away the bar, and just build a kitchen for aspiring Cocktail Chefs. In Monkey Shoulder’s DIY Drinks Kitchen you’ll get to raid the cupboards, pull up a stool and make your own drinks (with expert supervision of course).
53 Monmouth Street
The Seven Dials Whisky Exchange Off-licence
Allowing consumers the opportunity to buy the fantastic spirits, liqueurs and cocktail ingredients they have tasted around Seven Dials, with a discount for wristband wearers. The Seven Dials Whisky Exchange pop-up will also host tastings and master classes as well as acting as an over-spill wristband collection point and information centre.
69 Neal Street
Within the huge choice of boutiques in Seven Dials, drinks brands will be hosting informal, engaging training and sampling sessions outside on the streets in the area. Expect some unusual installations popping up to serve sample cocktails – all for wristband wearers. To pre-register for a wristband – log onto www.LondonCocktailWeek.com .
Wristbands cost £10 and allow the wearer access to the huge amount of sampling, cocktail demonstrations as well as the Cocktail Tours – see notes.
London Cocktail Week runs 7-13th October 2013.
