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We’ve been dosing up on milk thistle for days in preparation for the wildest week in the capital’s boozy calendar, London Cocktail Week (October 3-9). But here’s a bit of formal preparation for all you cocktail connoisseurs: five events taking place during LCW that are hotter than a Flaming Martini.
World Class House
If you’re not venturing to Spitalfields, enjoy the LCW experience right in the heart of the capital at Diageo’s World Class House. The space is divided into two bars, one looking back at our fave retro drinks (pina colada, purlease!), the other looking to the future of mixology. Inside you’ll also find a Tanqueray forest to gather your own botanicals and a Ketel One Kitchen looking at how you can spice up your plain old Bloody Mary.
Woodford Reserve Alliance
Want to sample some of the world’s best bars without even leaving London? Well, pal, step this way! Woodford Reserve have pulled out the big guns for a three-night pop-up at Shoreditch’s White Rabbit Studios, pitting three of London’s best bars against three from around the world, all mixing the best whisky cocktails. Pitch up on Tuesday to see Nightjar and Stockholm’s Little Quarter side by side. Thursday hosts the Peg & Patriot V Amsterdam’s The Tailor. And Wednesday (our personal favourite) sees Time Out’s Bar of the Year The Punch Room joined by New York’s British pub the Suffolk Arms. Jolly good show.
Monkey Shoulder Café
Every year, Monkey Shoulder showcases the winning talent of its Ultimate Bartender Championships by letting them host their very own bar at the festival. And this is the kind of bar we’d monkey around in forever. Winner Dave ‘Flat’ White will serve up frothy coffee cocktails and tea-tinged tipples within Spitalfields’ Cocktail Village. We particularly like the sound of Coffee & Donuts, a drink made from whisky, cold brew coffee, caramel and a donut infusion. Screw the diet.
Bombay Sapphire x Cahoots
Fans of quirky Cahoots, the vintage underground-themed bar in Soho’s Kingly Court, will be excited to learn that one of its tube carriages is rolling in to Spitalfields for the week. The bar has teamed up with Bombay Sapphire to transport passengers to Laverstocke, where the gin is crafted. With a menu inspired by Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five, this one’s for the playful drinkers. All aboard!
For more info on events at LCW visit www.drinkup.london/cocktailweek.
To buy two wristbands for £10, click here.
And check our LCW hub to find out which of London’s best bars are taking part in London Cocktail Week.