Cocktails in the City returns to London with an al fresco summer garden party
Friday 11th & Saturday 12th September 2020
Bedford Square Gardens
Tickets £15 and include a drink can be purchased HERE.
The UK’s greatest cocktail festival, Cocktails in the City, returns to the capital for a two-day alfresco cocktail garden party this September, celebrating the city’s best bars that are now reopening, raising money and awareness for the industry.
The finest weekend-long celebration of the London’s unrivalled drinks scene, Cocktails in the City: Community Spirit Edition, will bring together 30 of the city’s most innovative bars for an unforgettable weekend of eclectic cocktails, in the sunny open-air surroundings of Bedford Square Gardens. Bringing together the cream of London’s illustrious cocktail culture, the new socially distanced event format has been designed to encourage guests to rediscover and support the city’s best bars and talented bartenders, all within easy sipping distance of each other.
Featuring drinks from over 30 of London’s best bars, live music, mainstage demonstrations and tasting sessions, set to the idyllic backdrop of Bedford Square Gardens, this special edition of the renowned cocktail festival will partner with The Drinks Trust a charitable organisation that has supported thousands of hospitality workers affected by closures caused by lockdown, with all profits from tickets being donated to further this work.
Cocktails in the City: Community Spirit Edition was inspired by The Community Spirit Campaign created by Sophie Bratt and Sly Augustin in the wake of the Grenfell Towers fire in 2017. These two bartenders created a series of fundraising initiatives, bringing the hospitality industry together over the past three years to raise money for worthy causes. Collaborating on this year’s festival, Cocktails in the City: Community Spirit Edition will be shining a light on individuals and organisations that supported their community and highlighting how the industry has adapted and reinvented itself during lockdown.
At the bar, there will be a wide range of cocktails on offer. From a delicious Italicus cocktail sorbet on arrival, courtesy of local hotel bar The Coral Room to trendsetting new drinks, sustainable serves and the latest in low & no drinks and champagne cocktails. Guests are encouraged to discover signature serves as they embark on the city’s ultimate cocktail tour.
Venues confirmed already include Callooh Callay, 68 & Boston, Nightjar, Trailer Happiness, Heads + Tails, Laki Kane, London Cocktail Club, Demon, Wise & Partners, Cahoots, The Hide Bar and Mr Fogg’s. All brands, bar and volunteers will be donating their time to the event, as the nation raises a glass to celebrate the return of the UK hospitality scene.
In addition, guests will also be able to enjoy experiences such as:
- Live music from Nightjar and The Piano Works supported by Hennessy.
- Spirited tasting sessions hosted by The Mixing Class.
- Complimentary interactive main stage demonstrations throughout the weekend including the Art of the Aperitivo.
- Cocktail making sessions hosted by TT Liquor.
- All washed down with amazing street food.
Andrew Scutts the organiser says “Boasting nearly two acres of widen-open space, Bedford Square Gardens is the perfect place to bring people together in a safe and socially distanced environment. It is a unique opportunity to rediscover the venues that have been forced to close for so long, take part in a series of interactive experiences and enjoy great drinks with friends whilst raising money for a worthy cause”.
Ross Carter, CEO of The Drinks Trust comments: “Recent events have resulted in unprecedented levels of demand for the services that The Drinks Trust provides, so we welcome this innovative fundraising event. It’s a unique opportunity to bring people together in a wide-open air environment to share their recent experiences, create great drinks and showcase the unity of this great industry to a wider audience”.
Participating bars include: Callooh Callay, 68 & Boston, Nightjar, Trailer Happiness, Heads + Tails, Laki Kane, London Cocktail Club, Demon, Wise & Partners, Cahoots, The Hide Bar, Mr Fogg’s, Hawksmoor, Piano Works.
Participating brands: Moët & Chandon, Belvedere Vodka, The London Essence Company, Campari, Hennessy, Yellowstone Select Whiskey, Everleaf, Glenmorangie, Jägermeister, Stoli, Luxardo, Brockmans Gin, Bumbu Rum, Ardbeg, London No.3 Gin and Italicus.
