London Cocktail Week returns in October — THE festival for everyone from Aviation aficionados to negroni neophytes. Here's your need-to-know.
What is London Cocktail Week?
Whistle in need of wetting? For 11 days in October, over 200 of London's best cocktail bars sign up to be a part of a city-wide celebration of cocktail culture.
London Cocktail Week (which these days actually lasts a week and a half) was started in 2010 by drinks aficionados Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne, and has grown to become one of the most revered festivals of its kind in the world.
How does London Cocktail Week Work?
Participants purchase £20 wristbands, which are good for the duration of the festival, and score you signature serves for just £9* at participating bars across the city. Each of the 200+ bars has its own signature serve (some have multiple), specially chosen for London Cocktail Week.
You'll also get a printed guidebook to steer you towards the drinking holes that suit you best.
*Champagne cocktail £12, non-alcoholic cocktails £6, tiny cocktails £6.
When and where is London Cocktail Week 2025?
It runs from Thursday 9-Sunday 19 October 2025, with participating bars in north, south, east, west and central London. Handily, on the website you can filter not only by area, but type of bar too (e.g. date bars, hotel bars, bars for foodies, etc).
Here are a few bars and their signature serves that've caught our eye:
🍸 Lyaness, South Bank: Ruby Spritz — a sparkling serve of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, bitterless aperitif and sparkling rosé.
🍸 Perception Bar at W London, Leicester Square: Figment of Agave — Código 1530 blanco tequila, creme de figue, homemade old fashioned syrup and bitters.
🍸 Bluethroat Bar, Brixton: Pandan Mai Tai — dark rum (infused with pandan & lemongrass), brandy, apéritif wine, triple sec and house made spicy mango syrup.
🍸 Viajante87, Notting Hill: Aura Magarita — Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, pear, lime, Palo Santo and white sage.
🍸 Disrepute, Soho: Old News — Hennessy VS Cognac, saffron, cardamom and tonka beans.
What's else is happening for London Cocktail Week 2025?
It's not just about slurping cocktails in swanky bars. A number of events take place across the festival, inviting you to educate yourself on cocktails while you enjoy them, including:
🍸 A Beluga Vodka and caviar pairing masterclass (14 Oct)
🍸 An evening with El Dorado Rum Master Distiller Shaun Caleb at The Last Talisman (15 Oct)
🍸 An evening of pairings of mini highballs with micro plates, plus live music at Rain Dogs bar (15 Oct)
🍸 A karaoke and cocktail masterclass at BAM Karaoke Box (19 Oct)
London Cocktail Week, 9-19 October 2025.
