London Cocktail Week 2015: Our Top Picks

A veritable wonderland of hand crafted creations, London Cocktail Week returns to the city this October as a destination known not only to men, women and bartenders, but to the very cocktails god themselves. Y'know, we assume that there are some. There just has to be some. 

Watch London's cocktail culture come alive as over 250 bars and brands not only envelope guests in mixology mastery, there's classes, events, liquid hubs and tours alike. How's that for involvement? What with so many nooks to nuzzle on, we've whittled down some of our very favourite London Cocktail Week events and antics. But bear in mind, this may just be the occasion where self control is hard to come by. We should know, we have diddly squat of the stuff.

london cocktail week 2014

No longer are cocktails bound by boring tankards, watch London Cocktail Week really mix things up this October.

London Cocktail Week Village @ Old Spitalfields Market, E1 6EW

5th - 11th October 2015

Welcome to the London Cocktail Week, where even picking up your wristband is heaps of fun. These guys take over one of the East End’s most famous markets, substituting the usual antique dealers for a number of bespoke pop-up stalls, each serving signature drinks for that magical £5 fee to wristband bearers for the week. There’s street food stalls to soak up the booze, and a House of Angostura pop-up house party to discover in the mezzanine overlooking the market.

The World Class London Cocktail Week Hub @ 51 Poland Street, W1F 7LZ

5th - 11th October 2015

If nothing but the finest in mixology practice will suit you this Cocktail Week, you need to check out this speakeasy hub. Promising the "ultimate in luxury drink experiences", London Cocktail Week collaborates with World Class to bring a veritable range of free experiences to a speakeasy pop-up record shop in Soho. The likes of Tanqueray, Ketel One and Haig Club will be in attendance, along with a collection of the best bartenders in the business.

Sup at the ultimate cocktail blends at this prohibition-inspired hub.

24 Hour Bar Build @ 3-10 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PG

10th October 2015

A squadron of bartenders from New York City, Paris and Singapore are London-bound for a mixology competition at the 24 Hour Bar Build on Saturday 10th. Designed to find out which city does it best, six mixologists from each location will push the boundaries of their craft as they rustle up a menu of four cocktails (including one non-alcoholic serve) to pit against their rivals. Tickets for this London Cocktail Week special are £35, inclusive of entry and five cocktail tokens on the night.

Ketel One Vodka Kitchen @ 51 Poland Street, W1F 7RJ

5th-11th October 2015

Here to create a warm, communal environment where you can create your own drinks with friends and family, the Ketel One team are back with another awesome pop-up experience in the West End. Hone your mixologist skills and learn all about the art of infusing your own vodka soda at this personal masterclass; it’s free to all wristband wearers!

Produce some of your own mixed-drink magic at Vetel One's Vodka Kitchen pop-up.

Oriole Pop-Up @ 8a Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3NT

6th and 7th October 2015

The news that Nightjar would be opening a second site in the city was met with unbridled joy among London’s cocktail lovers. Here’s your chance to sample Oriole’s liquid delights before their doors even swing open, as these guys demonstrate their cocktail genius with a preview of their first menu. They’ll be joined by 86 Co Spirits and Gin Mare, and there’s even talk of free Hobo Beer at this two-day event.

London Cocktail Week takes place this October 5th-11th at a top selection of London liquid destinations.

Image Credit: DrinkUp.London - https://drinkup.london/media/image-gallery/