In October Edinburgh Cocktail Week returns with a new cocktail forest, rooftop domes and an expanded cocktail village.
The event takes place from 14 to 20 October with a fun-filled week of cocktail festivities in around 70 of the capital’s cocktail bars.
On the rooftop of the Glasshouse Hotel Cocktail Domes will be installed making a new second pop up site for festival goers.
This is a first for Edinburgh and you will be able to see the view from inside the transparent domes so get your camera or your phone out and take photos of the skyline. Each dome can accommodate 8-10 people and will have sofas and comfy seats with blankets and rugs and fairy lights to relax in. There will be a reservation system for the domes.
The Cocktail Village will be in Festival Square bigger than before and with a new forest theme.
The Cocktail Forest will have a wigwam and fire pit with pop up bars and giant toadstools. You will be invited to go camping with cocktails.
The Cocktail Village will be the centre with 19 pop up bars and masterclasses. There will also be music an entertainment and the flowers will be provided by Dobbies Garden Centres. This will be like an outside event but you will be in the cosy warm inside.
Entry to both the Cocktail Village and Forest is free with an ECW wristband (£6 weekday / £8 weekend) and all cocktails inside are £4 each.
Pop-up bars this year include Edinburgh Gin with Brewhemia, Belvedere Vodka, Patron Tequila with 4042, Johnnie Walker, Highland Park, Eden Mill with The Raging Bull, Lindores Abbey, the Herringbone Horsebox and a special ‘Temple of Rum’ bar from The Pop Up Geeks and Don Q rum, with more to be announced over the coming months. In addition to cocktails, there will also be a beer and soft drinks offering as well as a new outdoor street food area covered by a stretch tent, creating a hangout space to enjoy some tasty eats.
Organiser, Gary Anderson said : “We’re excited to be expanding Edinburgh Cocktail Week across the city this year and further develop the experience for wristband-holders with the introduction of new features and pop-up spaces. The forest and street food areas are both exciting additions to the Cocktail Village and we’re delighted to be the first festival to bring cocktail domes to Edinburgh. The rooftop garden at The Glasshouse Hotel is the perfect setting for these and we’re working with fantastic partners to make the pods a really special space to enjoy cocktails and time with friends.”
The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian Hotel will also be joining in the festivities by serving a special cocktail themed Afternoon Tea throughout the week for £29.50 per person (normally £57) in their stunning Peacock Alley.
Afternoon tea includes two cocktails each and a selection of savoury finger sandwiches, homemade scones, decadent treats and over thirty fine loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions to choose from, with vegan and gluten-free options also available. Bookings can be made via the ECW website.
Throughout the week there will also be a programme of events and parties across the capital as brands and bars collaborate to host bartender takeovers, educational masterclasses and tastings, parties and cocktail-making competitions.
The full programme of events and experiences will be published in September, with those who have pre-booked wristbands online being given priority access to tickets.
With cocktail-enthusiasts travelling from as far as Australia and São Paulo to experience Edinburgh Cocktail Week, the festival has partnered with Apex Hotels in Edinburgh to offer 10% off stays at any of their four city centre hotels (two are located at the Grassmarket, one at Waterloo Place and one at Haymarket). Festivalgoers can take advantage of this offer by using promo code ECW2019 when booking online at www.apexhotels.co.uk/ecw. See the website for full T&Cs.
Apex Waterloo Place and Apex Grassmarket Hotels will be serving a £4 signature cocktail to wristband-holders. What’s more, 2019 is a special year for Apex Hotels, as they mark the 200th anniversary of Apex Waterloo Place Hotel – Edinburgh’s first ever large-scale hotel.
The team at the hotel have collaborated with Eden Mill to craft a bespoke gin, aptly named ‘The 1819’.
Wristbands are on sale now at www.edinburghcocktailweek.co.uk priced at £6 for a weekday wristband (valid Monday – Friday), £8 for a weekend wristband (valid Saturday & Sunday) and £13.50 for a week-long wristband.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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