Cocktail aficionados rejoice – the biggest cocktail celebration in the city is back for 2022! For one week a year, London’s best bars entice us down to sample their most fabulous cocktails for bargain prices, unlocked with the flash of a wristband. And with over 350 drinking dens taking part, it means a full ten days of cocktails, partying, pop-ups, talks and masterclasses across the city… Welcome to London Cocktail Week.
This year’s event runs from Thursday 13th until Sunday 23rd of October, and all you need to do is grab a £15 wristband to enjoy a choice of £7 cocktails across 350 bars. To help narrow it down, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites…
The Folly
Leading London cocktail bar The Folly has partnered with London Nootropics (the premium adaptogenic coffee blends, as seen on Dragon’s Den) to launch the UK’s first Adaptogenic Espresso Martini.
Available throughout London Cocktail Week, the new Mushroom Espresso Martini (enjoyed for the special price of £7 with a flash of your wristband) harnesses the power of adaptogens – a group of herbs and mushrooms with health benefits – and mixes with the cocktail’s classic rich and creamy flavour, topped with a raspberry-flavoured powder. With no taste of mushroom, and less sugar than your typical Espresso Martini, it sounds like a winner to us.
Where: 41 Gracechurch St, London EC3V 0BT
Website: www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
The Aubrey
Lovers of Japanese flavours and Asian ingredients should head to The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, the bar in Knightsbridge known best for its innovative cocktails and glamorous surroundings.
From the 13th you can head down to sample their London cocktail specials – The Whistler Cocktail, packed with Etsu Pacific Ocean Gin, yuzu liquor, citrus infused sake and CO2 carbonation. Or, enjoy the decadent Messalina Cocktail, a mix of Kiome Rum, umeshu kurayoshi, matsui umeshu, white cacao liquor and peanut butter.
Where: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Nhow
Nhow has been busy adding affordable cocktails to their list to celebrate this year’s London Cocktail Week – five to be precise.
For just £7 you can nab yourself a classic Pornstar Martini, Mojito, Spiced Rum Daiquiri, a Sherry Spritz, or a Tropical Paradise with almond syrup, fresh lime, orange and pineapple juice. Choices, choices…
Nhow has been busy adding affordable cocktails to their list to celebrate this year’s London Cocktail Week - five to be precise.
Where: 2 Macclesfield Rd, London EC1V 8DG
Website: www.nhow-hotels.com
Art Yard Bar & Kitchen
A huge chunk of the London bar scene may be celebrating the art of mixology this week, but Art Yard Bar & Kitchen are taking it to the next level by celebrating art itself, bringing artist-in-residence Corinne Natel’s influence into their Sub Tropical cocktail.
The drink is artsy, refreshingly long and robust in flavour, blending together Thai basil-infused Toti rum, Falernum, Jasmin Verte, cucumber syrup, Peychard’s Bitters, tonic water and ginger ale. To add to the experience, Corinne will be taking up residence in the bar on the evenings of Friday 14th and Wednesday 19th October, applying her distinctive style of painting to coasters that guests can take away with them.
Where: 2 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 9JU
Website: www.artyardbarandkitchen.com
The Delaunay Counter
Sink in a few cocktails, low ABV options and mocktails alongside a menu of classic European Alpine dishes at The Delaunay Counter, an all-day European style café just round the corner from theatreland.
The perfect spot for a nightcap, the bar has three drinks up for grabs with your wristband – The Counter Buck with Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky, ginger syrup and lemon juice, topped with soda water from £7; to the on-alcoholic Botanischer Garten made with Seedlip Garden, lime juice, sugar syrup, celery bitters and mint leaves for just £5.
Where: 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB
Website: www.thedelaunay.com
The Broadcaster & Aerial Rooftop
For an enormous venue with views across West London, head to The Broadcaster, a beautiful bar directly in front of the Television Centre.
If it’s views you’re after, you’ll want to head to the Aerial Rooftop and show your wristband to treat yourself to their Tequila Sour for just £7. The cocktail is made with El Jimador Tequila, Aperol, homemade orange and ginger shrub and miraculous foam.
Treat yourself to their Tequila Sour for just £7.
Where: 89 Wood Ln, London W12 7FX
Website: www.thebroadcaster.co.uk
The Stables Bar at The Milestone Hotel
The Stables Bar at The Milestone Hotel are getting into the swing of London Cocktail Week with their emblematic drink, Roses & Leather.
Contrasting flavours are what make this drink so unique, made with homemade flower and leather cordial, egg white and Cardamom infused Broken Clock Vodka. It’s the ideal drink to savour as you take in the hotel bar’s equestrian themed interiors.
Contrasting flavours are what make this drink so unique.
Where: 1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
Website: www.milestonehotel.com
Rotunda Bar
This October, Rotunda Bar and Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square are marking London Cocktail Week with two limited-edition cocktail offerings that pay homage to much-loved classics. The first new offering, the Arbutus Collins, opens up a new avenue of discovery for gin aficionados, pairing Tanqueray with a refreshing homemade yuzu soda and a splash of Arbutus syrup.
The second addition to the menu, the Fig Old Fashioned, combines Fig-infused Bulleit Bourbon with rich brown sugar and a dash of spicy Angostura bitters, giving the classic whiskey-based cocktail a subtle sweet lift.
Where: 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
Website: www.fourseasons.com
Feels Like June
Take a sun-filled Californian restaurant, drop it in Canary Wharf et voila – you’ve got Feels Like June, where they’re serving up summertime vibes all year round.
A brand new spot, known for their brunch and sweet and summery cocktails, they’ll be offering up the ‘Wharf Swizzle’ for £7 during London Cocktail Week – a zesty mix of Bacardi Rum, Velvet Falernum, overproof rum, lime juice, mint syrup and Angostura Bitters, topped with soda water – as well as the tropical-tasting Sonoma Sangria – Papa Figo ruby-red wine, satsuma orange rum liqueur and passionfruit liqueur topped with London Essence Peach & Jasmine Soda.
Where: 15 Water St, London E14 9SB
Website: www.feelslikejune.com
Booking Office 1869
From grand, luxury interiors reminiscent of the 1800s, to killer cocktails, Booking Office 1869 is one of the most exciting openings of the past year and we can’t wait to head down during London Cocktail Week.
With palm-trees, candle-lit tables and cosy lighting dotted throughout, the venue is grand yet intimate, and the cocktails really steal the show. This month, head on down to try out the Thymepiece, a sensational blend of Lemon thyme enriched Broken Clock Vodka, Noilly Prat vermouth, fine white port, and green Chartreuse.
Where: Euston Rd, London NW1 2AR
Website: www.booking-office.co.uk
Cahoots
Venture back to post-war Britain when you step foot inside Cahoots, the quirky underground bar inspired by the 1940s.
Set literally inside a disused railway station, the venue is clad with an old train carriage, sandbags, mismatched furniture and endless war inspired cocktails. With your trusty London Cocktail Week wristband, you’ll be able to pick up Guerrilla – a refreshing mix of Nori seaweed-infused Tanqueray No.10, Lillet Blanc, Akashi-Tai ginjo yuzushul and rice wine mirin.
Where: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
Website: www.cahoots-london.com
Christopher’s Martini Bar
We love Christopher’s Martini Bar, a Covent Garden hideaway that’s tucked inside Christopher’s classic American steakhouse, boasting glamorous seating and ambient lighting.
As if we needed another reason to head down and try their famous martinis, they’re celebrating London Cocktail Week with their Autumnal Pumpkin Spice a rum-based concoction made with pumpkin spice syrup, fresh lemon juice, cranberry juice and foaming bitters, garnished with a lemon zest. Sounds like a hit to us.
They’re celebrating London Cocktail Week with their Autumnal Pumpkin Spice.
Where: 18 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD
Website: www.christophersgrill.com
3Bar
3Bar at South Place Hotel will be offering you their signature Secret Garden cocktail at this chic hotel bar.
Priced at a steal of £7, the drink is a combination of Tanqueray Gin, Cointreau liqueur, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, Angostura Bitters and Better Bitters, garnished with an edible flower.
Where: 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
Website: www.southplacehotel.com
The Perception Bar
Right in the middle of Leicester Square lies one of London’s most fabulous bars, The Perception Bar. This year for London Cocktail Week, they’ll be offering their Golden Triangle to guests who flash their wristbands.
It’s a combo of Patron Silver, Amaro Montenegro, lime juice, grapefruit juice, vegan miraculous foamer, salt and… home-made nacho infused syrup? We’re so intrigued.
Home-made nacho infused syrup? We’re so intrigued.
Where: W, Leicester Square, 10 Wardour St, London W1D 6QF
Website: www.theperceptionbar.com
The Franklin
The Franklin Bar are getting into the swing of London Cocktail Week with a signature cocktail not to be missed.
The ‘Miss Franklin’ sees Plymouth Navy Strength Gin mixed with Cadello 88 liqueur, cherry heering, apple juice, lime juice and fresh egg white.
A signature cocktail not to be missed.
Where: 24 Egerton Gardens, London SW3 2DB
Website: www.collezione.starhotels.com
Silverleaf London
Pan Pacific’s Silverleaf and Hendrick’s Gin have teamed up this month to host the official opening party for London Cocktail Week on 13th October, coined The Hendrick’s Secret Emporium of Underwater Delights.
This spectacular underwater utopia opening event will take you on an enchanting dive into the mysterious world of sea-inspired Hendrick’s Neptunia, the latest limited-release from Hendrick’s Gin’s Cabinet of Curiosities and included in your ticket are two Hendrick’s cocktails. Pre-bookings are necessary (wetsuits are not).
The official opening party for London Cocktail Week.
Where: 3rd Floor, Devonshire House, 3 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4JX
Website: www.londoncocktailweek.com
GŎNG Bar
Broken Clock Vodka is the main-player in these cocktails available at GŎNG Bar. The Creswick Duck is inspired by late Georgian and early Victorian painter, Thomas Creswick and his meadowy landscapes, consisting of Broken Clock Vodka, Homemade Chamomile Mead, Pimms No.1 Bitter and Bob’s Lavender Bitters. The pine leaf garnish represents the light of a sunset passing through a tree on a late summer evening.
Meanwhile, Ingleton Time, made with Brocken Clock vodka, Lillet Blanc and lavender is inspired by Ingleton Waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales.
Inspired by Ingleton Waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales.
Where: Level 52, Shangri-La The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
Website: www.gong-shangri-la.com
La Goccia
Foliage-filled La Goccia, the second outpost from Petersham Nurseries, is a dream come true for the plant-lovers among us, and makes for a lovely spot away from the Covent Garden crowds to enjoy a cocktail this London Cocktail Week. Like the décor, the cocktails here are thoughtfully made using botanicals, herbs and edible flowers.
This October, the gorgeous space will be welcoming you in to indulge in a cocktail named the Autumn Solstice, made with Ramsbury Vodka, merlet apricot liquor, luxardi bitter bianco and fernet branca.
Where: 1 Floral St, London WC2E 9FB
Website: www.petershamnurseries.com
The Gore
Who’s up for some glamour on the rocks? We certainly are, so we’re headed to The Gore for a theatrical, delicious tipple – would you expect anything else from a cocktail named after Judy Garland? For just £7, they’re inviting guests down to sample the drink, made with Broken Clock Vodka, white wine reduction and homemade redistilled Campari.
This venue oozes allure, and transports guests to a glamorous setting huddled away from the sound of the street.
A theatrical, delicious tipple.
Where: 190 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5EX
Website: www.collezione.starhotels.com