By Katrina Deisler
With fashion week over, here’s the next best thing keep you busy. Join the over 200 bars participating in this year’s London Cocktail Week and pop into the Cocktail Village to find your new favorites all under one roof. You know exactly where I’ll be this weekend!
A £10 festival pass (be sure to book your festival pass ahead of time to beat the queues) gets you unlimited entry all weeklong to both hubs of the festival: the World Class House in Piccadilly Circus and the pop-up Cocktail Village in Old Spitalfields Market where you’ll find over thirty unique pop-ups peddling their specially created cocktails and food.
In addition, over 200 bars throughout London are offering exclusive £5 cocktails to festival pass holders, and some are cooking up specialty snack pairings or othe exclusive offer for passholders. Check the full list to get in on the fun.
Pop-ups I can’t wait to try:
Fentiman’s Apothecary
Fentiman’s is teaming up with the Wright Brothers to create the Fentiman’s Apothecary on the terrace of the Spitalfied restaurant. The bar will be filled with natural botanicals, and it’s signature cocktail, the Bittersweet Symphony is being offered in association with Bombay Sapphire. Be sure to try the fabulous seafood at Wright Brothers while you’re there.
Duck & Waffle
The mix masters at Duck & Waffle are partnering with Grey Goose to roll out a list of cocktails inspired by 24-hour diners (there’s even a cocktail made with burnt toast). Top of my list: the White Russian Afogato, Grey Goose Vodka with Espresso and White Russian ‘Soft Serve’.
The Bailey’s #PSILOVEYOU Freakshake Bar
In celebration of the new Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice, the Irish cream brand has teamed up with Molly Bakes to create your new favorite fall drink, because who doesn’t love pumpkin spice in October?
Funkin Cocktails, Camden Town
For something fruity, pop into Funkin Cocktails and grab something from the fruit market inspired bar, complete with plenty of purees and syrups to complete your treat.
Patrón Cocktail Lab
If tequila is your cup of tea, head straight to the Patrón Cocktail Lab. The pop-up is bringing seven master bartenders together for the week, to create a variety of tequila cocktails like spicy Chipotle Punch and Señor Sling (a twist on the classic Singapore sling). Thirsty for more? Masterclasses with the experts will be offered each evening at 5pm.
Check out the full list of pop-ups here.
The Cocktail Village is open October 3rd till 9th – Mon 5pm-9.30pm, Tues-Sat Midday-9.30pm, Sun Midday-7pm, and the World Class House is open Monday-Saturday midday-1am.