With the success of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, Living For The Weekend founder Alex Nicholson-Evans has expanded her repertoire and is partnering with Bristol bar owners Benjamin Alcock and Akos Rabi to launch Bristol Cocktail Weekend.
An opportunity for bars throughout Bristol to offer unique drinks and to highlight the city’s venues and talent. All festival goers will receive a wristband which allows them access to an exclusive cocktail created especially or the event for just £6.
Nicholson-Evans says “we’re counting down the days until Bristol Cocktail Weekend officially lands in the city. We’ve seen fantastic success with our event in the Midlands as it brings such a buzz to a city. Bristol is bursting with incredible independent businesses and established cocktail bars, so it’s a dream location for us, and to have so many amazing venues come on board and want to be a part of this new venture will make this an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
The weekend begins with a lineup of warm-up events across the city kicking things off on Tuesday 26 September with an Old Fashioned workshop at Filthy XIII, one of Bristol’s two Top 50 Cocktail Bars. They’ll be joined by fellow listee from the neighbouring city of Bath, The Hideout, for a night of whisk(e)y education as well as getting to try three variations of this classic.
There are events running throughout the weekend as well so take a look at their website to see what is on offer, and remember, your wristband can give you discounts to some events.
We have a sneak preview of some of the delights on offer this weekend, so let’s take a look…
Filthy XIII will be serving up a Filthy Filous which blends Hennessy V, Eminente, peach Grenache, coconut palm topped with bubbles. You can enjoy this libation in the relaxed and stylish surroundings of the bar with plenty of art and Hip Hop playing. Why not try some of their favourites too like the Lychee Martini?
Over in the town centre, The Milk Thistle will be knocking out Kimono Season alongside their regular menu. This Bristol Cocktail Weekend drink mixes Roku gin, adjusted birch sap, yuzu curacao, Somerset apple and rhubarb. Sit in the moodily lit bar surrounded by taxidermy and stunning architecture from one of the city’s oldest buildings.
Round the corner at Bristol’s first and only steampunk bar, The Clockwork Rose, the team have concocted the delightful Feeling the Fall, a drink that mixes Damoiseau Agricole Rhum, apple juice, spiced ginger syrup, lime, Angostura bitters. Whilst there, why not delve into the whole menu?
Across the way by the Harbour, Loose Cannon are bringing you LASSANAI with Hendrick’s gin, watermelon cucumber syrup, falernum, fresh lime, pineapple & star anise bitters with foam bitters. The bar serves unique drinks in a colourful environment with its website saying:
‘Think crazy garnishes, names, and pop culture references and great tunes. It's a place for quality drinks, and time with your mates’.
Finally, to round off your time in Bristol, take a trip up to Clifton to Filthy XIII’s sister bar, Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Sit back and sip on Purple Reign with Belvedere vodka, Mangosteen curaçao, yuzu and plum & pomegranate Iced Tea. Think unpretentious and occasionally outrageous twists on drinks, with the classics available too, of course.
