London Cocktail Week is back! It’s a mainstay on the London drinking calendar. A blocked-out period of time with no exceptions and no meetings on the schedule. It finds Secret London’s writers wandering the streets of London for ‘just one more’ £8 cocktail. London Cocktail Week is a veritable drinking institution – with almost two weeks’ worth of cocktails, events, and more that you won’t want to miss. And it’s back for 2024, from October 3 – 13.
While previous iterations have grown the event to a full month of offers (due to lockdown and restrictions) this year it’s back to the short but sweet 11-day-long celebration. Frankly, we’re not sure our livers could handle much more! So with less time to spare, and plenty of bars to hit up, you’ll need a plan of attack. And that’s where we come in. Allow us to take you by the hand and escort you from bar to bar, and event to event, with this guide to London Cocktail Week.
Table Of Contents
The need-to-know
During London Cocktail Week, hundreds of London’s best bars serve up special cocktails for just £8 a pop. And all you need to do, to get access to these specially-priced concoctions is purchase a London Cocktail Week wristband. You could find yourself in some of London’s fanciest drinking dens, where drinks might typically cost more than £20, sipping on delicious £8 serves,
Wristbands cost just £20 and are valid for the entire duration of London Cocktail Week. And with London’s cocktail prices quite often getting that high anyway, you’ll already be saving money by the time you order your second drink! Simply order them online and pick them up from any participating bar or purchase them in person.
If you band together with your friends and plan ahead, you can buy six wristbands for the price of five. That means one of you gets a free wristband! (First rounds on them, right?)
You can easily check ahead of time to see which of your favourite cocktail bars are participating in London Cocktail Week. Look them up on the list, and you’ll find all the details. You can also search by area or bar type, or even the specific alcohol in the special £8 cocktail.
Top Five Recommendations
If you’re after the absolute best experience during London Cocktail Week, here are our top five recommendations:
- Euro All Stars at the Umbrella Workshop: The Umbrella Workshop has not one, not two, but six signature serves – each from one of Europe’s best cocktail bars (including their own special drink).
- BACARDÍ x Portobello 177 Rum Dinner: a four-course meal of Caribbean and Japanese flavours paired with limited-edition rum and cocktails. (October 9)
- High Rollin’ with Angel’s Envy: Discount Suit Co. is throwing a hootenanny with Angel’s Envy, featuring live country DJ vibes and the chance to win a trip for two to Louisville, Kentucky. (October 8)
- Thirteen: this glamourously gothic bar will pay tribute to rock ‘n roll history with themed cocktails and live DJs. Try the Stone Rose, a genre-blending mash-up of Four Roses bourbon, espresso liqueur, banana liqueur, dark chocolate, and sea salt.
- Dram London Cocktail Week Closing Party: New York’s Angel’s Share bar will team up with the Dram team and Aberfeldy Whisky to close out London Cocktail Week in style – with PLENTY of inventive whisky cocktails. (October 12)
Top events at London Cocktail Week
There’s so much happening at London Cocktail Week, but we reckon these are the ultimate can’t-miss events and takeovers.
- The Green Devil: A Spirited Talk on the Origins & Rituals of Absinthe in London: head to London’s quirkiest bar for a guided tasting and a dive into the history of the origins and rituals of absinthe. (October 7)
- Patrón Taco Tuesday at Satan’s Whiskers: Expect hip-hop beats, delicious margarita riffs, and a free taco with each special drink. (every Tuesday through October)
- From London with Love – Five iconic cocktails that shaped the city: the duo behind the Cocktail Lovers publication will host a guided tasting of “five iconic cocktails born in London”. (October 10)
- Bar Nouveau x Coupette: Coupette is kicking off London Cocktail Week with a takeover from Paris’s award-winning cocktail bar, Bar Nouveau. (October 3
- Kioku Bar Takeovers: Bristol’s famed Milk Thistle Bar and NYC’s Shinji’s will both take over Kioku during London Cocktail Week with innovative cocktails in collaboration with Nikka Whiskey. (October 3 & 6)
North London
If you’re up North London way we reckon you’ll definitely want to check out the cocktail specials at these bars. Think neighbourhood haunts, experimental joints, and tiki affairs.
- Little Bat – Henny From The Blocks: Hennessy VS cognac, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and green chartreuse come together at this neighbourhood bar that’ll have you considering moving into the area. If you’re not already lucky enough to live nearby…
- Homeboy Islington – Better Way To Live: Settle in for some Irish hospitality and sip on a drink with coconut, corn, bell pepper, and more (as well as a hefty dosing of Jameson Black Barrel whiskey).
- Laki Kane – Mananui: blanco tequila, cacao, lime and yuzu juice, beetroot, and grapefruit combine for a truly unique sipping affair.
East London
Headed out East London way? Make sure to check out these London Cocktail Week specials in bars tucked away inside converted jails, as well as world-class drinking destinations.
- TT: Cellar Bar, Restaurant & Rooftop – Iced Henny-Tea: an eminently sippable mixture of Hennessy VS cognac, homemade black tea syrup, lemon juice, and Schweppes soda.
- The Natural Philosopher – Morning Dew: fennel, bee pollen, and honey all add to this take on an inventive martini-esque cocktail.
- The Sun Tavern – Arnie Palmie: the famed mixture of lemonade and iced tea gets a typically Sun Tavern-esque makeover with The Dewars 12 whisky, yuzu umeshu, milk oolong cordial, and tonka bean tincture.
West London
Our picks of the West London bars to check out during London Cocktail Week include throwback venues and bars full of equestrian oddities. Intrigued? Read on…
- The BoTree Bar – 818 Coconut Cooler: a refreshing blend of the flavours of coconut, tequila, peach, and citrus in a throwback setting.
- Stables Bar At The Milestone Hotel – Carrot Cake-Tail: We’ve got four words for you: carrot cake-infused vodka. How can you NOT try that? And that’s just one of the bar’s SIX creative £8 cocktails.
- Trailer Happiness – Coquito Clarito: a sophisticated take on a tiki cocktail with white rum, coconut, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and cream.
South London
We won’t make any jokes about South London (for once) as we can’t really argue with the quality coming out of these South London bars. During London Cocktail Week, don’t miss these special drinks.
- Funkidory – Aki Sun: the team at Funkidory amp up a basic highball with Toki whisky, London nigori sake, marigold and lemon peel cordial, and almond.
- Bluethroat Bar – Pomegranate Margarita & Mister Fluff: choose between a riff on a margarita or a bitter-sweet celebration of grapefruit.
- Two Spoons – Henri Sour: flip the whiskey sour on its head by subbing in cognac, and adding apricot brandy and hazelnut syrup to the whole affair.
Central London
In the middle of it all is an absolute plethora of Central London bars to choose from. They range from secret speakeasy bars hidden inside other bars to rooftops with views of St Paul’s.
- Do Not Disturb at Vintry & Mercer – Beat One’s Gums: a celebration of yuzu, with yuzu gin, yuzu sake, nori syrup, and even more citrus.
- Sabine Rooftop Bar – Coffee Vieux Carré: coffee, cognac, and bitters combine for a unique sip that you won’t find anywhere else.
- The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – The Atherol Daiquiri: an aperol spritz meets a daiquri, and makes something that tastes like neither!
Non-alcoholic options
Now, obviously, not everyone drinks alcohol. But that shouldn’t exclude you from the fun. Whatever your reason for not drinking, you’re still catered for during London Cocktail Week, with many bars also offering a £6 non-alcoholic drink throughout the festival.
We’re particularly intrigued by the following:
- Alma Bar – Gino: a bright botanical non-alcoholic drink with flavours of apple, elderflower, and lime.
- Doña – Jamless Doña: a non-alcoholic take on their signature drink for London Cocktail Week, with non-alcoholic agave and flavours of raspberry jam and citrus.
- Wild by Tart – Seraphim: a refreshing mix of non-alcoholic tequila, Giffard Alcohol-Free Ginger and Elderflower liqueur, pear Syrup, and lemon.
Best places for a group at London Cocktail Week
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and since some of London’s most fun bars for big groups are getting in on the London Cocktail Week action. Why would you go elsewhere with your bevvy of mates?
A great spot to head with a group is Callooh Callay Chelsea, which has two special cocktails to choose from for just £8. Or why not head to Cuban-themed party bar Burlock, to enjoy a Lost Anchor (pineapple rum, apricot brandy liqueur, amaro blend, and grapefruit)?
Otherwise, you can’t go wrong at Shoreditch’s The Cocktail Club, where your whole group can enjoy a perfectly made Dark ‘n Stormy (rum, ginger beer, lime juice, and Angostura bitters).
The prettiest places to drink for London Cocktail Week
Well, we have to start things off by recommending you go to Sketch, don’t we? Their East Bar and Parlour Bar are serving up A Punch As A Treat. The punch-inspired drink contains dark rum, 12yo rum, Chambord, lemon juice, lime juice, lacto-fermented raspberries, vanilla yoghurt, and sugar syrup. Even their non-alcoholic serve sounds stunning: They Demystify combines clarified pineapple juice, pistachio syrup, and citric acid solution before being topped with ginger beer.
For even more picture-perfect drinking, check out the seductive subterranean bar, Viajante87, for the refreshing Concord Crush. Or head to The Coral Room At The Bloomsbury Hotel to enjoy A Night In Marrakesh.
The ‘Connoisseur’s Collection’
New for 2023 was the ‘Connoisseur’s Collection’ of ultra-luxe events for passionate cocktail fans. They’re back for 2024, taking place in some of the city’s most award-winning and revered bars. These unique experiences may never take place again. Check out these special events:
- Maestro’s Vintage Cocktail Experience at Velvet, Corinthia London: Journey back in time and try classic cocktails made with vintage spirits. (£45 per serve, or try all three for £125)
- Vintage Martinis at The Spy Bar at Raffles Hotel, OWO: Sip on three different takes on James Bond’s beloved Vesper Martini, using vintage and contemporary vermouths. (£50 + Service Charge for all three serves)
- French 75 Roulette at The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy: Spin the wheel to find out which premium champagne will be used to make a sophisticated French 75 cocktail. (£35 per cocktail)
So there you have it. Go forth and imbibe, but remember to drink responsibly! And please be sure to be extra courteous and kind to your bartenders. They’re going to have far more customers and orders than usual. Be kind, be patient, and you may just find the wait for your next cocktail getting much shorter. Cheers!
For a full guide to London Cocktail Week, head to their website.