Cocktails in the City returns for 10th year
On-trade festival Cocktails in the City will return to London this summer to mark its 10th anniversary, with two weekend-long celebrations.
For the 10th year, Bedford Square Gardens in Bloomsbury will be transformed into a cocktail alfresco garden with live music, street food, games, workshops, and the city’s best cocktails.
Taking place over two weekends – 10-12 July and 7-9 August – London’s finest bars will come together in one location to offer ‘the ultimate summer night out’.
This year’s anniversary edition will feature several immersive experiences and unique stands. These include The Bartender’s Edit, an exclusive area curated by some of London’s most respected industry figures, which will offer a handpicked selection of cocktails from the city’s most innovative bars.
The Local Luxury stand will offer a nod to ‘sustainable sophistication’, bringing together a collection of luxury bars and Michelin-starred venues to showcase the best of seasonal, low-impact ingredients. It will feature venues including Artesian, The Gallery Bar at The Savoy, The Guards Bar at Raffles, Nipperkin, Eve Bar, and Muse Bar at RSA House.
Coffee will be the star at the Coffee Cocktails 2.0 stand. It promises to offer ‘more than just Espresso Martinis’ as it celebrates a new wave of coffee cocktails. Attendees can expect to enjoy twists on classics from bars like Disrepute, Viajante87, and Archive & Myth.
India’s cocktail scene will be on show at the London to India stand, with influences from venues such as Sidecar in New Delhi and bars like Soma and Dishoom’s Permit Room. The stand will offer exotic spices, regional ingredients, and a sensory journey inspired by India’s rich culture and landscape.
Meanwhile, Francophiles will enjoy the homage to London’s finest French-led bars at The French Connection stand. Venues including Bar Americain, Coupette, and Experimental Cocktail Club will showcase the artistry, elegance, and craftsmanship that defines French cocktail culture – from peach wines to French gins and whiskies.
Finally, The Spirit of Mexico area will celebrate Mexico’s bold, agave-driven flavours with a curated tasting flight from top London agave bars such as Mezcalito, Café Pacifico, and 1910 Cantina. Taste riffs on the Margarita, Paloma, and more will be crafted in partnership with leading Mexican spirit brands.
Other highlights include a DJ-led silent disco, live music, garden party games, street food from the likes of Sticks’n’Sushi and Get the Greek, and cocktail masterclasses and tasting rooms.
Tickets are available to purchase for £22 (US$30) each. These include entry, one cocktail, live entertainment, and access to all festival zones.
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