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If you like your drinks mixed with other drinks, chances are London Cocktail Week is firmly on your radar. From October 5 to 11, the city will be awash with tip-top tipples (and drunk City slickers). Buy a £10 wristband and get your paws on discount drinks at participating bars all across town throughout the week. But that’s not all the booze for your buck – here are five events taking place next week that are well worth booking a place for. Make mine a Berocca on the rocks, yeah?
A Night in New Orleans
Nola, Shoreditch
Mon Oct 5, £30
Sure, we love London (especially during LCW), but how about being transported to New Orleans for a night? Try juleps, whiskies and sazeracs selected by drinks expert Alice Lascelles and accompanied by a roaring soundtrack of bluesy numbers curated by Ronnie Scott's artistic director. All set in Shoreditch speakeasy bar Nola, heading to this Big Easy night feels like an easy decision to us.
The Art of the Old Fashioned
347 Old Street
Oct 6-9, £15
If you’re desperate to fill a void in your life since Don Draper and co departed our screens, make like the Mad Man himself at this masterclass in old fashioned-making. Woodford Reserve is hosting a week-long pop-up bar and has put together a list of old fashioned recipes for you to try for size. Suit up and book yourself a spot. (Book here.)
The History of Gin
The Trading House, Bank
Thu Oct 8, £15
A tasting event and a trip back in time, courtesy of the good folk at juniper hotspot Portobello Road Gin. Not only does this event fill any gin-based knowledge gaps, it also allows you to fill your boots with delicious brambles, fizzes and collinses in the opulent surroundings of the City’s Trading House. (Book here.)
Bar Termini Masterclass: Coffee Cocktails
Bar Termini pop-up, Spitalfields
Thu Oct 8, free with wristband
What’s better than a strong drink? A strong caffeinated drink, of course! You'll be on the ceiling at the Bar Termini pop-up, where free masterclasses taking place all week include Thursday afternoon’s intro to coffee cocktails. Learn how to shake an espresso martini and then head out on the town to shake a tail feather. (More information here.)
24-Hour Bar Build
N&C Showrooms, Shoreditch
Sat Oct 10, £35
Some of our favourite London bartenders are joining forces to create a brand new bar in just 24 hours. Not only that, but the likes of Duck and Waffle’s Richard Woods and Dandelyan’s Iain Griffiths will be going head-to-head with leading bartenders from New York, Paris and Singapore who are also forming teams and bringing bars to the big smoke. London’s entry will be stocking Patron Tequila cocktails and the entry cost covers five drinks tokens, so make sure you get down early for the launch and bag yourself a bar stool. Otherwise it could be 'three tequila, floor…' (Book here.)