London Cocktail Week – your essential guide

Here are our top picks on where to go and what to drink…

Monday marks the start of London Cocktail Week, an annual seven-day celebration of the capital’s impressive cocktail scene.

For its seventh year, #LCW will see over 200 bars across the city taking part, offering discounted serves and exclusive offers from 3-9 October.

The festival’s main hub will be the Cocktail Village: a collection of pop up cocktail bars and experiences in Old Spitalsfields Market, all stalls offering £5 cocktails to festival pass holders.

But it doesn’t stop there, the deals will be spilling into the streets as hundreds of bars across the capital which have signed up to #LCW, giving you the opportunity to visit new places and sample London’s finest concoctions at a fraction of the price.

Get your online festival pass HERE to skip the queues. It entitles you to £5 cocktails in any or if you’re up to it all of the London bars who have signed up.

It’s safe to say it’s going to be a week of boozy nights out and bleary-eyed morning meetings – and we cannot wait.

Here’s a roundup of our top seven picks to take you through the week.

MONDAY:

Cahoots Pop up Cocktail train Soho’s popular tube-themed cocktail bar is teaming up with Bombay Sapphire this year, creating a bespoke Cahoots vintage cocktail train at Old Spitalsfield market, the menu inspired by Enid Blyton’s ‘The Adventures of the Famous Five’. Each cocktail comes with a ‘night watchman ticket’, allowing guests to get the night tube to the real Cahoots in Soho for a complimentary cocktail.

Where: Kingly Court, 13 Kingly St, London W1B 5PG

Drink: A Smuggler’s Top (Bombay Sapphire gin, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, Indian syrup and garnished with lemon thyme)

TUESDAY:

MAP Maison The Haggerston cocktail bar is quite possibly the most Instagrammable bar to ever exist, with beautifully tiled floors and walls and brightly coloured cocktails in crystal tumblers. If you’re a fan of interior design, you will fall in love with this place.

Where: 321 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4DL

Drink: A Rosemary Martini (Home made rosemary infused gin, fresh pineapple juice, Monin vanilla syrup, basil leaves, salt and black pepper.)

WEDNESDAY:

Ladies and Gentlemen Kings X Award-winning cocktail bar Ladies and Gentlemen, in Kentish Town (a once disused Victorian lavatory) has already built up a cult following since its launch 2 years ago. So its no surprise there’s a buzz around the launch of its second venue at this year’s London Cocktail Week: Ladies and Gentlemen Kings X. Located on Regents Canal, near Granary Square in Kings Cross, this 50 foot canal boat will host differently themed voyages, events, masterclasses and tastings every night during cocktail week so you’re guaranteed a great time whichever night you come down. With a pop up bar alongside, its the perfect place to soak up the last rays of the Indian summer (there’s also a roaring log fire inside to drink hot toddies around if things get chilly). The boat holds 12.

Where: Ladies & Gentlemen Kings X. Goods way, Kings X, N1C 4AA

Drink: Vestal Millenial Mule (Vestal vodka, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup, a splash of ginger beer and a lime wedge)

THURSDAY

The Alchemist If you’re genuinely interested in mixology this chic cocktail bar could be just your tipple, with clever concoctions, friendly staff and a stunning location: a high ceilinged and luxurious drinks lounge.

Where: 6 Bevis Marks, London, EC3A 7BA

Drink: A Peaches and Cream (Peach liqueur, pink grapefruit liqueur, fresh lemon juice and Prosecco)

FRIDAY:

Floripa The tropical bar, restaurant and club, situated in the heart of Shoreditch is a great Friday night post-work venue, with bare brick interiors, florals and a huge selection of exotic cocktails. This place is perfect if you’re trying to hold onto summer.

Where: 91-93 Great Eastern St London / EC2A 3HZ

Drink: A Fogo De Floripa (Cachaça, grenadine, Chambord liqueur, fresh lime juice and rhubarb bitters)

SATURDAY:

Looking Glass Cocktail Club Whether you’re after an early evening cocktail or a late night bowl of punch, the Looking Glass Cocktail Club has got you covered. With Alice in Wonderland-like décor and a tea party themed cocktail list (from Red Velvet Martinis to a Storm in a Teacup), this watering hole is not one to be missed.

Where: 49 Hackney Road, London, E2 7NX

Drink: Three Steps to Aristocracy (Hine cognac, Cocchi americano, Italian vermouth, blackberry shrub and lemon juice)

SUNDAY:

Mr Fogg’s Tavern Mr Foggs is renowned for its unique set up: old English tavern meets 19th century style gin parlour and cocktail salon, so if you have plans to visit, London Cocktail week is the perfect opportunity, welcoming a very cool crowd and a relaxed weekend vibe. Disclaimer: If you don’t like gin, maybe give this one a miss.

Where: 58 St. Martin’s Lane, London , WC2N 4EA

Drink: Mr Fogg's Tavern Punch (Tanqueray export strength gin, lavender syrup, lemon juice and rose lemonade)