Bristol Cocktail Week returns bigger & better

Bristol Cocktail Week (BCW) is returning in October bigger than ever and with the promise of opening up the underground scene to a wider audience.

Back for its fifth year from October 19, BCW will take place at bars and venues across the city and will include tastings, talks, film nights, competitions and a masked ball in the grand setting of St George’s.

BCW, which began as an industry event in the more underground speakeasy-style bars, is attempting to reach out to more than 50 bars in the city, encouraging them to design their own signature cocktails – Briottet Bristol In A Glass – which will be put to a public vote.

So far the BCW line-up includes gin and whisky nights, history of cocktails talks, drink-along viewings of the Cocktail movie and a “cocktail safari” up Whiteladies Road.

And, for the first time ever, consumers will also get the chance to come to the BCW awards ceremony on the Sunday night and attend the final heat of the Bristol Cocktail Cup on the Monday night.

Wristbands, which give discounts to various events and exclusive access to some underground events, can be bought from venues listed on the BCW website.

BCW is a not-for-profit event run by a group of cocktail experts and bartenders from Bristol who volunteer their time to the project.

The growth of the event reflects a boom in the cocktail scene in Bristol which is turning heads across the UK.

Read our pick of the top nine best cocktail bars in Bristol.

Bristol Cocktial Week main events announced so far:

Monday, October 19:

Bristol Cocktail Cup Final at The Flipside – 7pm to Midnight

Cocktail: A Movie Drinkalong at 20th Century Flicks – 7pm to 9pm

Tuesday, October 20

Cocktail: A Movie Drinkalong at 20th Century Flicks  – 7pm to 9pm

Crazy Pedro’s Part-Time Pizza Pop Up at Red Light – 6pm

Whiteladies Road Cocktail Safari at secret Whiteladies Road location – 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Wednesday, October 21

Whiteladies Road Cocktail Safari at secret Whiteladies Road location – 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Bristol Bar Wars at Noche Negra – 8pm to 10pm

Thursday, October 22

Cocktail: A Movie Drinkalong at 20th Century Flicks  – 7pm to 9pm

Whiteladies Road Cocktail Safari at secret Whiteladies Road location – 6.30pm to 10.30pm

The Big Craft Gin Experience 1 at The Pumphouse – 6.30pm to 8.30pm

The Big Craft Gin Experience 2 at The Pumphouse – 8.30pm to 10.30pm

Against the Grain Experience at Small Bar – 7pm to 8.30pm

Friday, October 23

Whiteladies Road Cocktail Safari at secret Whiteladies Road location – 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Cocktail: A Movie Drinkalong at 20th Century Flicks  – 7pm to 9pm

Cocktail: A Movie Drinkalong 2 at 20th Century Flicks  – 7pm to 9pm

The Ultimate Espresso Martini at a secret Bristol location – 6pm to 7pm

Cocktails Through The Ages at The Milk Thistle – 9pm til late

The Thinking Drinkers session 1 at The White Bear – 7pm to 9pm

The Thinking Drinkers session 2 at The White Bear – 10pm to Midnight

Saturday, October 24

Bristol Cocktail Roadshow at St George’s – 12pm to 5.30pm

Bristol Cocktail Week Masked Ball at St George’s – 7.30pm to Midnight

Sunday, October 25

The Bristol Cocktail Week After Party at a secret Bristol location – 8pm to Midnight

For more information visit www.bristolcocktailweek.bar.

Main picture from Hausbar.