From boozy brunches to tantalising tastings and even the chance to distil your very own gin, Birmingham Cocktail Weekend has revealed a jam-packed events schedule that is sure to get cocktail-lovers excited. The reveal of the events line-up coincides with the announcement of the final five participating venues: Gaucho, The Balcony, Pitcher and Piano, Churchills and Siamais.
The cocktail spectacular, taking place 14-16 July, will play host to three days full to the brim of exciting events. With some fantastic brands teaming up with venues across the city, BCW has created an agenda of activity that will be sure to have cocktail-connoisseurs racing through the doors.
Kicking off the weekend of events in style on Friday, the New Alexandra Theatre will be offering wristband wearers the opportunity get behind the bar and concoct their very own signature cocktail; rumour has it they are even giving away a round of drinks for the best creation. The Victoria are pairing up with Auchentoshan American Oak for an event set to get whisky lovers excited. The New Malt Order masterclass will see festival goers get the chance to sample single malts under expert guidance Wristband wearers will then be invited to continue the fun, and head round the corner to The Vic’s sister venue Buffalo and Rye, where Jim Beam will be hosting their A Taste of Kentucky late night bourbon tasting.
Setting Saturday off in style, headline sponsor Courvoisier will be hosting the Café Courvoisier masterclass at The Courvoisier Hub @ Hotel Du Vin; giving cocktail revellers the chance to taste their full range and really get to know this classy brand. Bourne & Co is ‘dram’ing up excitement with whisky lovers by hosting a Classic Whisk(e)y Cocktail class, even giving wristband wearers the run of the place before the venue opens to the public. Bitters & Twisted venues are pulling out all the stops with Marmalade inviting cocktail lovers to go Dutch in the ‘Bols & Beer’ drop in taster sessions as well as Island Bar giving festival goers the chance to spend Saturday night with Sailor Jerry; free samples, giveaways and the usual Island Bar antics (think fire, DJs and plenty of fun)! Fancy something a little more refined? The Edwardian Tearooms at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery are teaming up with Birmingham Jazz Festival and giving wristband wearers the chance to spend a night at the museum sipping their signature cocktail whilst being serenaded! If you’re after date night drinks, Rose Villa Tavern have got just the ticket. Stoli Vodka will be offering up the chance to compare the merits of shaken vs stirred in the most romantic quarter of Birmingham. Gin more your thing? Edinburgh Gin are inviting wristband wearers to distil their own gin at the Gin Lab; the first event of it’s kind in the UK. Taking place at the Jekyll & Hyde, this incredibly unique event is exclusive to BCW wristband wearers and will see attendees make and bottle their very own one-off custom gin.
Kick starting your Sunday, wristband holders are spoilt for choice with both the The Botanist and Rub Smokehouse & Bar hosting Sunday brunches with a BCW twist. Rub will be teaming up with Licor 43, offering up a breakfast Hoagie with a free cocktail for just a fiver – there will even be some free samples and a chat with the Brand Ambassador chucked in for good measure! For the second year running, The Botanist will be hosting their Boozy Brunch to get wristband holders refuelled and ready to enjoy the final day of the festival. New venue Be At One will also be getting involved, hosting An introduction to the land of Fire and Ice with Reyka Vodka. Finally, rounding off the weekend in style, the New Alex will be offering wristband wearers the chance to pull up a pew and grab the popcorn with a free screening of movie classic, Cocktail.
As well as this myriad of events, BCW have also announced the final five venues to the line up and it was well worth the wait. Bringing the Bullring into the spotlight, The Balcony (within Selfridges) has joined this year’s line up offering wristband wearers a chance to enjoy some shopping with their cocktails. New for 2017, Pitcher and Piano will be taking the cocktail party to Brindley Place alongside Siamais; new Asian bar-come-restaurant with cocktails at the heart of their offering. Adding another venue to the mix at the Mailbox, Churchills will be shaking up a storm and giving you another canal side venue to visit.Finally completing this year’s line up is brand new venue, Gaucho. Situated in the heart of the Colmore Business District, Gaucho is sure to be a hot favourite amongst BCW festival goers.
Full event details can be found on the Birmingham Cocktail Weekend website, where wristbands are also available to purchase for only £10. These wristbands will not only allow the wearer to enjoy the exclusive signature cocktail in each venue for just £4, but will also grant access (limited availability) to all of the great events during the weekend too.
To keep up to date with all the latest news, follow Birmingham Cocktail Weekend on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and to find out more, visit the website: http://birminghamcocktailweekend.co.uk/.
