London Cocktail Month: The top events, collaborations and limited edition serves in London

The Five Star Dive Bar at Lyaness

For two evenings, critically-acclaimed cocktail bar Two Schmucks, in collaboration with Dewar’s Blended Scotch whisky, will be taking over London’s opulent South Bank bar, Lyaness, for an immersive Five Star Dive Bar experience. Having originated as a pop-up in 2017, before finding its roots in Barcelona’s multicultural neighbourhood of El Raval in 2019, Two Schmucks quickly placed on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2020. Be sure not to miss this event, running from 7^th-8^th October. Book a ticket here.

Officina Milano takeover at Homeboy Islington 

On the 12^th October, award-winning Italian bar Officina will be taking over Homeboy, the home of modern Irish hospitality in London. The takeover will be held at their Islington site and will be an evening filled with delicious cocktails and great fun! Officina and Homeboy will collaborate on a special menu of incredible drinks for the night, sponsored by Hennessey. The event is free to attend but reservation is recommended. Book a table here.

Everleaf at The London Essence House Multisensory Experience

This London Cocktail Month, Everleaf, the award-winning non-alcoholic aperitif, is partnering with London Essence House for London Cocktail Month. The London Essence House, which is set to open in the stunning Carriage Hall, Covent Garden from 1^st October, will give guests the opportunity to enjoy the award-winning aperitif in a delicious bespoke Everleaf cocktail at the spectacular main bar, or as part of a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience, which is available for £20 per person. Book a ticket here.

Bacardi Takeover at The Artesian 

The Langham will welcome back one of its former bartenders, and the 2017 Bacardi Legacy winner for a highly anticipated bar takeover. Before opening his own bar in Bruges, Ran Van Ongevalle was plying his trade serving up delicious cocktails from The Langham’s award-winning Artesian bar. For one night only, on 17^th October, Ran is back, bringing his team from Bruges to roll back the years to mix, stir and shake up an array of Bacardi cocktails. Book a table here

Fat Smucks at Swift Shoreditch 

On the 31^st of October, for the bar’s first birthday, Swift Shoreditch will be hosting a takeover with the female duo that runs Two Schmucks and Fat Schmuck in Barcelona, Pom and Juliette, for a “Hangover Brunch”. Newly launched Fat Schmuck will bring their delicious plates to be accompanied by Swift incredible cocktails, for a brunch you can’t miss. Book a table here.

Taco Tuesdays with Patron tequila at Satan’s Whiskers

Taco Tuesdays are back. Take a trip to one of East London’s finest bars every Tuesday this October, to enjoy tacos and margaritas with Patron and Dos Mas. You’re invited to relax with complimentary tacos when you buy a Patron cocktail at Satan’s Whiskers, where you’ll be met by the amazing team, great cocktails, and their infamous music playlist. Call 020 7739 8362 to make a reservation and guarantee a table.

Creativity Workshops with Bombay Sapphire

Immerse yourself in all things creative this October with The Hoxton and Bombay Sapphire, who will be hosting creative workshops every Monday and Wednesday throughout the month. Monday’s sessions will focus on photography and creating the perfect social media posts while Wednesdays will embrace nature, with The Botanical Boys hosting terrarium making classes. Each week different gins from the Bombay Sapphire family will be featured. Book a ticket here.

Oyster Club with Grey Goose Vodka at Wright Brothers 

Treat yourself to a Grey Goose martini cocktail this London Cocktail Week and enjoy complimentary oysters. Grey Goose and Wright Brothers have joined forces to create this exceptional food and drink offering every Thursday throughout October, across three Wright Brothers venues: Borough Market, South Kensington and Battersea. Whether you like your martini wet, dry or dirty, be sure to make the most of this classic food and cocktail pairing. Book a table here.

Passoa on the Rooftop Terrace at Vinegar Yard 

Guests need not look far for the perfect Pornstar Martini (£7). Following the success of the Passoa Sunset Rooftop bar this summer, the original passion fruit liqueur will continue to take over the verandah at Vinegar Yard with the iconic view of The Shard for London Cocktail Month. Book a table here. 

Cointreau pop-ups at Hay’s Galleria and The Laundry in  Brixton

With Riverside views of the city, jump off the Thames Path and settle into an idyllic foliage-covered pop-up for a Cointreau Margarita at Hays Galleria, where the cocktails are almost too pretty to drink. Alternatively, if you’re in the southwest, head to The Laundry Restaurant in Brixton – a bustling all-day neighbourhood restaurant, café and wine shop, with a Kiwi twist. Pop in for a delicious Cointreau cocktail or two, for just £7. For more information, visit the website here.

The Botanist Gin collaborations at Bar 31, Sketch and Plateau

Bringing the best of its wild and Scottish flavours to the city, The Botanist Gin will be hosting a pop-up terrace at Buzzy Bar 31 in London Bridge, which will serve its signature Gin Martinis. Over in Mayfair Sketch London will serve up a very special The Botanist Gin cocktails such as the swanky Born to Swizzle (£7), made with The Botanist Gin, Paragon Timur Berry, green melon, pineapple, lime, sugar and bitters. Alternatively, Plateau in Canary Wharf is serving up exquisite French plates alongside The Botanist Gin tipples including Sunset (£7) with The Botanist Gin, Cointreau, Campari, orange bitters, orange marmalade and Italian sparkling wine. For more information visit the website here.

Lush Life Book Club at Oriole 

This London Cocktail Month, Lush Life – the podcast and online how-to guide for living life one cocktail at a time – will be launching the Lush Life Book Club at internationally renowned cocktail bar Oriole. Susan Schwartz, the founder of Lush Life, will be inviting authors of some of the most interesting and popular cocktail books such as Jared Brown, Pippa Guy and Jason Clark for an in-depth Q&A and discussion. Guests will be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, as well as further cocktails inspired by the authors’ works whilst learning about cocktail history, recipes and the people behind them. For further information on the four-week lineup or to book your free tickets, visit the website here.

Limited-edition cocktails:

Metaxa cocktails at Crol & Co and The Vault

Those looking to swing by the cosy Soho cocktail bar The Vault, located in the basement of Milroy’s, can look forward to quirky tipples, including The Vieux Padre (£7) with Metaxa 12 Stars, Cynar Liqueur, Xeco Amontillado, Skinos Mastiha and olive brine. Those in search of a sweet pick-me-up can head to Bermondsey’s Crol & Co. This coffee-by-day, bar-by-night converted garage will be serving up Metaxa Espresso Martinis throughout the month alongside signature house specials. For further information visit the website here.

Moro Margarita and Champagne Pornstar at Little Mercies

Little Mercies, the Crouch End neighbourhood bar with incredible drinks and food offerings, joins London Cocktail Month with a delicious take on a margarita and an amazing pornstar martini twist. For £7, with the wristband, you can get the Moro Margarita cocktail – distilled house-preserved blood orange Volcán Tequila, sugar syrup, blood orange salt solution and a citric acid solution and for £10 the Champagne Pornstar – passionfruit vodka, passionfruit oleo, vanilla vodka, Red Versus and Moët & Chandon champagne. Book a table here.

Mount Gay Daiquiri at Bermondsey Larder

Bermondsey Larder is a family-run bar and restaurant which aims to bring a slice of nature to what they offer, with a clean and chic interior. Those south of the river can pop in for a delicious Fire Cracker Daiquiri made with Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, clarified lime juice & ginger stem puree and sugar syrup made with the perfect ratio of Mount Gay rum to  citrus juice and sugar, and while you’re there try the seasonal and ethically supplied dishes for a real night out. For more information visit the website here.

Ruso Negro and Rossini at Hacha

Hacha, the award-winning Dalston based agaveria, renowned for its award-winning Mirror Margarita, will be offering two wonderful cocktails, one with tequila and one with mezcal, in keeping with the bar’s menu. The Ruso Negro, available for £7, is made with Patrón Silver Tequila, Hacha Mole Coffee Liqueur and cola, and the Rossini, for £10, ismade with mezcal, salted strawberry purée and Moët & Chandon champagne. Book a table here.

Remy Martin Sidecar at The Last Talisman

For expertly crafted cocktails, a sizzling Asian grill and a decadent backdrop of live entertainment look no further than The Last Talisman along Bermondsey Street, where the team will be serving up Soba-sha with tonka and burned-butter-washed Remy Martin Cognac, dry sake, yuzu juice and sugar syrup.  Alongside London Cocktail Month specials, the team will be celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the sidecar cocktail with Rémy Martin 1738 masterclasses. For more information visit the website here.

White Peach Bourbon Sour at Tayer + Elementary

Head to award-winning Old Street cocktail bar Tayēr + Elementary (currently ranked 5^th Best Bar in the World) this London Cocktail Month, where you can enjoy a White Peach Bourbon Sour  for £7. Made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Fino Sherry, dry vermouth and white peach, it’s perfect for those looking for a swift drink after dinner. Those who want to stay longer can enjoy a selection of the bar’s delicious plates alongside the White Peach Bourbon Sour in the bar’s casual bar Elementary. Book a table here

Sgroppino at Bar Swift

Swift, the multi-award-winning cocktail bar in the heart of Soho and its sister bar in Shoreditch are joining in for London Cocktail Month with their famous Sgroppino cocktail, making the bars the perfect spot for drinks with friends.  With  St Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon sorbet and prosecco, Sgroppino is good at any hour of the day. Book a table here.

Sour Honey Spritz at Lyaness

Lyaness, the Southbank cocktail bar by Mr Lyan and the team from the multi-awarded Dandelyan, takes part in the London Cocktail Month cocktail offering with their delicious Sour Honey Spritz – made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, apple “sherry”, sour blackberry, vegan honey and bubbles, for £7. The bar is open to everyone, but reservation is recommended. Book a table here. 

The editorial unit