I’ve been involved with London Cocktail Week since 2014, when I was finishing up my year off and searching for a full time job. Having picked up bar shifts at the Oliver Conquest, and learning a lot about gin as a consequence, I answered an ad to volunteer at the London Cocktail Week hub in Seven Dials. In return for a few shifts, I got a free LCW wrist band and access to the Zacapa sensory experience at the hub, as well as the opportunity to chat to various gin and spirit brands. Five years later and London Cocktail Week 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of this fab showcase of everything cocktail. Read on to see what my gin lush recommendations for London Cocktail Week 2019:
Celebrating 10 years – London Cocktail Week 2019*
*Aka the gin lush’s guide to London Cocktail Week 2019!
10 days to celebrate 10 years of London Cocktail Week
As part of the celebration, London Cocktail Week 2019 is extended to 10 days! This year Cocktail ‘week’ will span two weekends – starting from 4th October ’19 through 13th October.
So what to expect? There will be a lot of special events going on, but there will also be the usual Cocktail Village, showcasing numerous spirit (& some non alcoholic) brands. Check out my gin lushes’ pick of everything ginny (& some non ginny) at London Cocktail Week 2019:
Back to where it began: Covent Garden hub
Popping up from 4th October through 10th October is the Covent Garden hub. Situated at 5-7 Grape Street they are running a week of different themed days.
Highlights for me include the Portobello Road take over on Friday 4th and the Wellness day on Sunday 6th where all the cocktails will be alcohol free. After all life is all about the balance! Belsazar are also there on Thursday 10th with their aperitif cocktails. Entry is free with a LCW19 festival pass:
Must visit gins in the #LCW19 Cocktail Village:
Aviation American Gin – no promise of Ryan Reynolds turning up unfortunately 🙁
Bathtub Gin – do you get your best ideas in the bath? They’ve previously brought a bathtub filled with rubber duckies!
Fords Gin oysters and martinis – back by popular demand, this is basically a snack, right?
House of Suntory Izakaya Alley – OK so not just gin based, but they are showcasing their whole range including Roku Gin.
Ital Spirits Negroni Experience – celebrate the 100th year of the Negroni with these iconic Italian brands
Schweppes Garden – Find the perfect mixer for your gin (or other spirits, I won’t tell if you #cheatongin!)
Slingsby Gin Bar – Check out their new Marmalade Gin alongside the full range.
That Boutiquey Gin Company’s Instant Refreshment Service – Showcasing the full range of Boutiquey Gin’s ready to drink, pre-mixed gin and tonics and cocktails via vending machine.
Kyro Gin Sauna – this went down a treat last year. What could be better than drinking neat gin in a bathrobe in a sauna?!
Ginny events to book:
Hendrick’s Gin Tini Martini – I tried out a similar experience up at the Edinburgh Fringe this Summer. We had three tini martini’s showcasing the best of Hendrick’s gin and the martini in general. A lot of fun, definitely one to check out for entertainment value as well as cocktails!
LoneWolf Gin’s Lucky Dip – Check out LoneWolf’s lucky dip – every cocktail bought means a 1-in-3 chance of winning a prize!
The Experimental Negroni Club – Tucked away in the upstairs bar of the Henrietta Hotel is the Experimental Negroni Club. Showcasing some twists on the traditional negroni recipe, plus a flight of negronis made with vintage Campari, gin and vermouth, it’s worth the experience if you are a negroni lover!
The Clumsies x The Artesian – Not actually one that you can book, but if you can make your way to Artesian Bar then definitely check out the Clumsies take over. As a World’s Top Bar, it’s worth checking out their cocktails, whether you are in London, New York or Athens (where they are based)!
Non-gin based events:
If you are looking at some experiences that don’t involve alcohol (anyone doing Sober October?!), then check out these great events:
Franklin & Sons Flavour Discovery Maze – I tried this maze out at Junipalooza and it was a lot of fun! You get to try different flavours from Franklin & Sons to narrow down your perfect tonic flavour combination. You can then match this to a gin for your perfect G&T.
The Essence House by The London Essence Company – Another personalised journey through flavour, that ends with a bespoke alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktail.
And if you fancy #cheatingongin then check out the Skye Bothy from Drambuie. A special dinner with cocktails paired with the food.
So where will you be celebrating 10 years of London Cocktail Week in 2019?
Let me know below:
Beth Anne says
This is so cool! Why isn’t there a cocktail week everywhere?
Katie says
I know! It a great event with loads going on so you need to pace yourself though.
Lindsey Puls says
What a cool event! I love that there is even a gin tasting sauna set up. And this is a week-long event? That’s awesome (and slightly dangerous, haha)!
Katie says
Omg so dangerous Lindsey – I’m having to pace myself!