London Cocktail Week’s organiser-in-chief, Hannah Sharman-Cox, has written a trade update for BarLifeUK readers:
Hello friends… So we’re at the squeaky bum six week mark and we wanted to send you a quick update from the DrinkUp team about what’s going on with this years London Cocktail Week so you can plan your diaries and make the most of our super-duper, moment in the spotlight, time to shine festivities.
Bars
We’re almost at capacity for the bars list this year. If you have a really burning, itching desire to be on our list (sounds ouchy) then email Bea with urgency please. Her email is Bea@DrinkUp.London
If you’re already signed up – send us your damn drink recipe! And a picture if you have it – but only if it’s a good one please.
The Village
The Village has moved. Please do not go to Spitalfields Market. That will not be fun! This year we’re at Truman Brewery, but not the hot bit where Coffee Festival is – the other side of Brick Lane.
We’ve booked three spaces – U-Block, Brick Lane Yard and The Boilerhouse. It’s gonna be bigger, roomier, flashier and funner than ever before and we want to see each and everyone of you there. Please.
It opens at Midday on Wednesday 3rd October (repeat Wednesday – not Monday) and it’s got a later license till 11pm. Like a grown up.
It’s free entry with your festival pass – which you as trade also get for free.
SO MUCH FREE. (And so you know – we’re committed to keeping London Cocktail Week free for the trade as long as humanly possible – so your support will ensure this).
Passes
Right – so we’ve ascertained they’re free! Brillo.
You can sign up here: DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
Please make the most of them. We want you to have a blast!
Now – if you’re lucky enough to have your bar on the Cocktail Tours… here’s the thing we ask…
1. Check for passes. No pass. No £6 drink. Kapiche?
2. If your guests don’t have a pass… encourage them to get one immediately. THEY’RE SO COOL. The app is free and the pass is £10. It takes literally two mins to get going and then they’re in the gang. No passes means no love to us and no love to us means bad times for all of us. Be proud of your city and sign those civilians up!
The Timetable
Ok – there’s absolutely loads happening and we’ll release the full timetable on the 01 September but while we wait for people to submit their event forms (nag nag nag) Here’s the run down of the big stuff that we know is happening so far…
Monday 01 October
The Whisky Show – Trade Day
Old Billingsgate / Midday / Free
Register at TheWhiskyShow.com/London/trade-press
LCW Opening Night Black Tie Gala…
Boiler House, Brick Lane / 7.30
Invite only and we’ll do our best to fit everyone in.
Tuesday 02 October
Boutique Bar Show
Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf / 11am / Free
Register via EventBrite
The Spirits Summit
The Yard, Shoreditch / 10am / £195
Book via SpiritsSummit.co.uk
Pernod Ricard Imaginerium
More details to follow – but its trade-only and we know it’ll be great…
Wednesday 03 October
The Cocktail Village Trade and Press launch
U-Block, Brick Lane / Midday / Free
Register for your festival pass DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
50 Best Bars Awards
The Roundhouse (we think) / 7pm (probably)
Guestlist only. Not our guest list – please don’t ask!
Thursday 04 October
The Cocktail Village
U-Block, Brick Lane / Midday / Free
Register for your festival pass DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
Rumours of the final ever Rematch Beyatch.
Somewhere dark / probably late
No clue how to be wherever it is…
Check Jake F Burger or Giuseppe Gonzalez’s overly wordy Facebook posts.
Friday 05 October
The Cocktail Village
U-Block, Brick Lane / Midday / Free
Register for your festival pass DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
Tequila & Mezcal Fest
Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf / 6.30pm
Tickets at TequilaFest.co.uk – £20
Saturday 06 October
The Cocktail Village
U-Block, Brick Lane / Midday / Free
Register for your festival pass DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
Tequila & Mezcal Fest
Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf / 12.30pm / 17.30pm
Tickets at TequilaFest.co.uk – £20
Sunday 07 October
The Cocktail Village
U-Block, Brick Lane / Midday / Free
Register for your festival pass DrinkUp.London/trade/sign-up
Tequila & Mezcal Fest
Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf / 1pm
Tickets at TequilaFest.co.uk – £20
That’ll do for now. More updates to follow…
Big love,
Team DrinkUp