Cocktails In The City returned for summer 2022, and after successful July and August events, they’ll be back once more for their finale before Autumn fully gets in swing. The festival-style event will grace Bloomsbury’s gorgeously green Bedford Square Gardens – London’s largest private Georgian gardens – with a series of charming popups on September 8–10, ready to woo you with a long weekend of fun games, a beautiful setting and, of course, cocktails aplenty from London’s leading bars.
On the weekend, there’s much to enjoy: whether you opt for an afternoon or evening session, you can expect cocktail tastings, cocktail-making classes, music and street food, plus activities such as shuffle boarding, ice carving and even a silent disco. Tickets are just £20pp, which includes a choice of welcome cocktail, while additional drinks are just £8.50 – not a price you see often in our dear city, hey? If you’ve not yet done so, grab your ticket here, then read on to find out what brands you can expect to see popping up.
Cocktails
It wouldn’t be a finale without something special in store. For the finale, there are some real highlights amongst the cocktails being offered this time round. From cocktails served in coconuts to champagne twists on classics, there are plenty of cocktails to devour at Cocktails In The City – and there are a few you should definitely keep your eye out for.
1. Spring Garden by Rockwell at Trafalgar St James
Embodying the summer garden party vibes, the Spring Garden combines Ramsbury Gin (infused with butterfly pea flower) with white port, bergamot liqueur, fresh lemon & homemade lavender syrup
2. The Watermelon Sour by The Libertine
For a refreshing cocktail that packs a punch, look no further than The Watermelon Sour from soon-to-open underground bar concept, The Libertine. Creating using Eminente Amber Claro Rum, Melonade, Watermelon cordial, fresh lemon & Ms Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer
3. Penicillin on Wax by Strongman’s Tipple
The judge’s winning cocktail from both the July and August editions will make a final appearance this September. Created using Ardbeg Wee Beastie blended with fresh ginger and redistilled, verjus, agave & Sauternes wine with bees wax ageing; the Penicillin on Wax is a must try
Bars
Here are the 19 bars you can expect to see popping up:
1. 10° Sky Bar
Sitting 28 floors above the Hilton Park Lane is the gorgeous 10° Sky Bar that offers up panoramic views of London alongside your cocktails. Much as it literally sits atop the heights in London, its popup is here to show you that its cocktails also sit amongst the best in the city.
2. Baccarat Bar
Harrods’ renowned Baccarat Bar is one of the Cocktails In The City bars that’s making its first appearance as a pop-up. They are offering the true Baccarat Bar experience with a series of intimate 30-minute tasting sessions. Served in elegant Baccarat crystal glassware, each cocktail on the menu has been expertly developed using unique flavours, aromas and textures, promising to transport guests to the opulent surroundings of the Knightsbridge bar.
3. The Blind Pig
This almost hidden Soho bar will be very easy to find at Cocktails In The City, with its popup among the others in the private gardens. The Blind Pig is the brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, and the bar follows the similar fancy yet playful approach as his restaurants.
4. Callooh Callay
Having earned themselves a spot in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars this year, Callooh Callay will be bringing their award-winning (and hilariously named, in some cases) cocktails to the Cocktails In The City bars this summer.
5. The Cocktail Club
Expanding from one location in Covent Garden to 18 across the country, The Cocktail Club(formerly The London Cocktail Club) know what they’re doing. Having won several awards across the years you know you’re in safe hands. A lot of that is down to founder JJ Goodman who has proved himself to be an innovator in the drinks industry and continues to influence cocktail trend globally. Look out for them amongst the Cocktails In The City bars.
6. Coupette
This French-inspired cocktail bar focuses on simple, classic cocktails made with high-quality ingredients. Coupette also offer a range of calvados – a French brandy, produced in Normandy, made from apples or pears.
7. Disrepute
Disrepute may be a luxury members’ club in Soho, but at Cocktails In The City, you’ll be able to try their array of fine cocktails with your standard entry ticket.
8. Funkidory
Peckham cocktail bar, Funkidory, is lauded for its fantastic hospitality and premium cocktails. The team will bring their good vibes north of the river for this summer’s Cocktails In The City.
9. Henson’s Bar and Social
Situated in Mimi’s Hotel in Soho, Henson’s Bar and Social holds its own away from the hotel. Expect unique cocktail combinations alongside the classics at this popup.
10. The Hoxton
Whether it’s Hoxton Bar & Grill or Maya’s, The Hoxton has been serving East London since 2006. Over a decade on and they’re now serving up that East London charm at locations internationally and in pop-up form at the finale of Cocktails In The City 2022.
11. Ice Carving Cool
As one of the leading ice carving training programmes for bartenders, you’re in for a real treat at this Ice Carving Cool Cocktails In The City pop-up. Masters of the Japanese bar skill will wow you with gorgeous ice sculptures that perfectly complement their delicately balanced cocktails.
12. The Libertine
The Libertine is positioning itself to be an exciting underground bar concept that has actually not opened its doors just yet. So for exclusive access to try their cocktails make sure you keep an eye out for them amidst the Cocktails In The City bars.
13. The London Bourbon Trail
Anyone up for some bourbon? Well if you are and want a chance at sampling bespoke and lovingly crafted cocktails that aim to highlight the unique flavours of the bourbon on offer, you know which stall you need to head to.
14. London Shuffle Club
Technically not a cocktail bar, but most definitely worth a mention: London Shuffle Club will be at Cocktails In The City this summer, quenching guests’ thirst for competition. As well as cocktails, the team will be providing the opportunity for some head-to-head competition, with rounds of shuffleboarding.
15. Merchant House
Merchant House is one for the true connoisseurs of spirits. They are focussed on the history, particularly the mercantile aspect, of spirits and boast a collection of some 600 whiskies, 400 rums & 400 gins. No matter what your preferred flavour profile is, their pop-up is almost certainly going to be able to cater to it to near perfection.
16. Rockwell at Trafalgar St James
Rockwell pays homage to its heritage and locality in everything that they do. Their expertly crafted cocktails are curated with an emphasis on innovation, identity, sustainability and celebrating their locality. Rockwell take a chef’s approach to their cocktail craft and aim to transform simple yet unique ingredients into a spectacle and holistic sensory experience. Be sure to check them out whilst you’re at Cocktails In The City.
17. Small Beer Company
Specialising in low-alcohol beers, the Small Beer Company will bring their lagers, IPAs and pale ales to the festival. A refreshing alternative to the cocktails – or, some might say, a good palette cleanser in between different ones!
18. Strongman’s Tipple
Award-winning Strongman’s Tipple create delicious cocktails in Bermondsey, specifically for home delivery. However, this summer, you’ll need to go to them (well, their popup) to grab your cocktails.
19. TT Liquor
East London-based TT Liquor is a shop and bar that also offers cocktail-making classes. Cocktails are themed; you can find out the team’s theme of choice at Cocktails In The City by heading over to their popup at the summer event.