Absolutely London

Where to Celebrate London Cocktail Week

1 October marks the start of London Cocktail Week – but this year, it’s running for a whole month. Here’s our guide to the festival…

By Abbie Schofield

London Cocktail Week celebrates the best in bartending, bringing together the city’s top mixologists to offer masterclasses, experiences and discounted cocktails. It’s usually for just a week, but this year London Cocktail Week is taking place from 1-31st October to bring Londoners back to the bar scene after months of Covid-19 closures.

Here’s how you can get involved: purchase a £15 wristband and receive access to a jam packed timetable of unmissable masterclasses and immersive experiences for everyone from amateur to expert, plus tonnes of drinks deals. Check out our top picks from the London Cocktail Week timetable.

London Cocktail Week Guide

Cocktail Tours

London Cocktail Week is famous for the £6 self-guided Cocktail Tours. Festival goers who purchase a £15 wristband can visit over 200 bars in London who will each serve a signature cocktail for £6 throughout the month. Participating bars include Sketch and Lyaness at Sea Containers London – the crème de la crème of the London cocktail scene. Pictured is the Napoleon Espresso Martini at the Lanesborough, a mix of Hennessy VS cognac, crunchy honey, freshly brewed espresso and Amaretto liqueur, available for just £6 to wristband holders.

London Cocktail Week at Home

For those who don’t want to head out to the bars, or who live outside of London, there’s London Cocktail Week at Home, in partnership with The Drinks Drop. You can get participating bars’ signature cocktails delivered by bartenders on bikes (the next day or same day if you’re in London). Choose from individual cocktails or a pre-chosen selection of bottles of six.

Whisky House at Goods Way

Whisky House at Goods Way is a unique collective of curated experiences and events showcasing everything that is brilliant about whisky. Located in Goods Way, King’s Cross, there will be whisky tastings, masterclasses and interactive events plus food to try from local vendors — perfect for those wanting to learn more about the spirit and make an evening of it. All London Cocktail Week wristband wearers will receive a Johnnie Walker Highball cocktail on arrival.

London Shuffle Club – Jack Daniel’s & Friends takeover

Indoor/outdoor bar London Shuffle Club is collaborating with Jack Daniel’s & Friends for London Cocktail Week. This immersive pop-up will serve limited edition drinks from the silver airstream van on the heated terrace plus whisky tastings in their hidden bar and a tasty menu of pizza. Of course, there’s a fantastic discounted cocktail menu too for wristband holders.

Moët & Chandon

As part of the cocktail tours, a collection of bars will serve luxurious Moët & Chandon cocktails for £9. In addition, Moët & Chandon will invite guests to toast to London Cocktail Week at 17:43pm in tribute to the year the House was first founded. Every Thursday throughout October there will be a chance to receive a complimentary champagne cocktail in one of the Moët & Chandon partner bars, including City Social, Disrepute and Coupette.