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What’s on in September

We’re not about that ‘all work and no play’ life – not when there are so many cool events happening in the world of spirits this September.

Get those lampshades swinging – The Cocktail Club is opening its biggest venue ever this month

Heading to the US Open? There’s one court-side cocktail that’s going to be giving Pimm’s a run for its money this month. Or if you’re catching a flight out of Paris, make sure you treat yourself to some quality time in the lounge (the Woodford Reserve lounge, that is).

For those with a competitive streak, the return of the Barback Games should satisfy your need for some high-octane fun, while anyone who likes to keep their days chill with a glass of expensive whisky in hand should get themselves a ticket to The Whisky Show at the end of the month.

Whatever it is you’re looking to fill your diaries with this month, make sure you keep reading for our round-up of the best events happening in the world of spirits.


Woodford Reserve sensory experience

What: Whiskey-laced pop-up airport lounge

Where: Terminal 2E at Gate M, Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris

When: 30 August to 26 September

Flying out of Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport this month? Make sure you swing by this sensory experience created by the team at Woodford Reserve. All the flavours of this American whiskey will be waiting for travelling consumers to enjoy air-side, from 7am-4pm local time.

Woodford Reserve has partnered with the iconic Paris cocktail bar Little Red Door to bring a farm-to-bar cocktail menu to the pop-up, while the famed La Maison du Chocolat of Paris has crafted a special bonbon to pair perfectly with Woodford Reserve.

“This unique sensory lounge will bring the flavours of Woodford Reserve to all those traveling through Charles De Gaulle Airport,” said Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve. “It’s an interactive way to introduce consumers to Woodford Reserve with a Parisian twist, elevating the travel shopping experience to new levels.”


Honey Deuce at the US Open

What: The 16th anniversary of an iconic cocktail

Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York

When: 29 August to 11 September

Looking for an ace cocktail to enjoy this month? Hit up the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from where they’ll be serving up the goods, and we’re not just talking on the court. The Honey Deuce is the perfect drink for these last few weeks of summer, made with a refreshing blend of Chambord, Grey Goose and lemonade. We’re in.

The rosy-hued cocktail will set you back US$22, and you’re going to love it.


Bourbon takeover of America

What: A whole month of Bourbon cocktails taking over the States

Where: Across the US

When: 1-30 September

Why have a day of Bourbon when you can have a whole month? Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, will be kicking off the 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America on 1 September. The nationwide creative celebration of all things Bourbon will run for the entire month, which happens to be National Bourbon Heritage Month, at participating bars and restaurants.

The brand will be welcoming anyone of drinking age to toast and taste Bourbon-inspired cocktails and bites, with tastemakers showcasing their culinary and mixology love for Garrison Brothers Bourbon by incorporating the distillery’s expressions into unique, limited-time dishes and cocktails at their venues.

The 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America will take place across the nation in numerous states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. Did someone say road trip?


The World’s Smallest Bar       

What: The world’s smallest bar, found within a phone box

Where: Temple Row, Birmingham

When: 1-3 September

The crew at The Cocktail Club are known for going pretty big when it comes to their wild parties, but at this three-day pop-up in Birmingham, its going to have to be parties for one (or two, depending how close you’re willing to get) as this pop-up is actually the smallest cocktail bar in the world. That’s right.

Located in Temple Phone Box on Temple Row in Birmingham, the pop-up is in honour of The Cocktail Club launching its biggest site to date in Temple Street, Birmingham, in late September. JJ Goodman, co-founder of The Cocktail Club and winner of the Cocktail World Cup, will be hosting the pop up on 1 September, with invited guests able to book a 10 minute slot with the ‘World’s Best Bartender in the World’s Smallest Cocktail Bar’. It will then be open to all on the following two days, serving three of The Cocktail Club’s signature cocktails, including Jam Jar Daiquiri, Pornstar Martini and Bramley Apple Smash, with no booking necessary from 3pm to 8pm BST.


Redbreast Eight Hands Dinner

What: A celebration of young chefs

Where: Corrigan’s, Mayfair

When: 1 September

Fancy some award-winning Irish whiskey? Yes chef. This month Redbreast Irish Whiskey is collaborating on a special, one-off ‘Eight Hands’ dinner that will see chef Richard Corrigan collaborate with three of Ireland’s brightest culinary exports: Luke Ahearne, head chef at Corrigan’s of Mayfair, Chris McClurg, head chef of No.6 Restaurant and Patrick Powel, head chef of Allegra.

Taking place on 1 September at Corrigan’s Bar and Restaurant, Mayfair, the dinner will celebrate the best of the season’s British and Irish produce. Each of the thoughtfully designed courses has the option of being paired with a specially selected wine or cocktail made from the iconic Redbreast 12-year-old. A special Redbreast drinks menu will also be available at Corrigan’s Bar & Restaurant throughout September.

All proceeds from the dinner, Redbreast drinks menu and an auction of a Redbreast Dream Cask 29 Years Old Oloroso Sherry Edition, will be donated to The Drinks Trust, a charity that provides care and support to the people who form the drinks industry workforce, both past and present.


Orientalist Spirits global launch party

Silverleaf-Cocktail-bar

What: The global launch party for Orientalist Spirits

Where: Silverleaf

When: 5 September

Taking over the elegant Tom Dixon-designed bar at Devonshire House on Bishopsgate Plaza, Orientalist Spirits will be showing off its all-Asian portfolio of handcrafted vodka, gin, rum and whisky on a couple of exclusive cocktail menus created by Silverleaf and Paris’ Little Red Door. Expect drinks inspired by the latter’s ‘farm to bar’ approach, while Silverleaf’s Chris Tanner and Liam Broom will apply their forward-thinking processes to their own exclusive creations, focusing on flavour and colour profiles with a minimalist presentation.

While the party is open to all, there will also be a selection of invitation-only tastings hosted in Alba, Silverleaf’s ultra cool and private tasting bar, where brand ambassador Caryn Cheah will guide guests through an introduction to the Orientalist spirits range.


Lyaness takes Madrid

What: The World’s Best Bar takes over Salmon Guru and Viva Madrid

Where: Madrid, Spain

When: 13 September

Hot off the back of being names the World’s Best Bar at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail, Lyaness is heading to the European mainland to give Madrid a taste of how it does things back in London.

On 13 September, the Lyaness team will host a masterclass at the neon plastered Salmon Guru before Lyaness team members Davide Gobbi and Antonio Galetta cruise over to the city’s Literary Quarter for a bar takeover of Viva Madrid, which will feature cocktails from its latest menu, the British Cookbook.


Pub in the Park – Brighton

What: The UK’s favourite boutique food and music festival

Where: Preston Park, Brighton

When: 16-18 September

Michelin-starred TV chef Tom Kerridge is bringing his boutique food and music festival to Brighton for the first time this September.

Along with Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer and TV chef Marco Pierre White, guests can expect a weekend-long culinary and musical feast, lined-up alongside performances from The Human League, Melanie C, Basement Jaxx (DJ set), Gabrielle and many more.

No need to pack a picnic as food will be on hand from The Hand & Flowers, Atul Kochhar Restaurants, Cue Point, Ox Block by Kenny Tutt, Jodie Kidd’s The Half Moon Inn, and The Kentish Hare. There will also be cocktails from Greenall’s Gin, Everleaf, Buffalo Trace and The London Essence Co.


Midnight Sun Day Party Experience

What: Party experience featuring Chiefy Chiefy

Where: Emporium Arcade Bar San Francisco

When: 17 September

If you’re into neon, UV lights and arcade games, this is the party for you this September. Emporium Arcade Bar San Francisco, the lively venue known for its classic arcade games, colourful atmosphere and renowned drinks menu, is inviting guests to Midnight Sun: A Day Party Experience presented by Toasted Life.

The party is bringing exclusive performances by Chiefy Chiefy, the dynamic DJ duo comprising Grammy-nominated musicians Jidenna and Nana Kwabena. Expect to be transported to the classic dub club dancehalls in Jamaica as you groove to hours of enthralling music.

General admission tickets are currently available for US$20, plus fees. Guests must also be 21 years or older with valid ID to enter.


Oma-Shochu Supper Club

What: A one-off Oma-Shochu supper club

Where: Junsei, London

When: 19 September

When someone who has been recognised by the Japanese government for their services to the drinks industry is co-hosting a shochu-focussed supper club, we think that’s a sign to get a reservation.

Authentically Japanese and no stranger to traditional, hyper-regional ingredients, chef patron Aman Lakhiani has come together with ‘sake samurai’ and global educator Natsuki Kikuya to host this one-of-a-kind special Oma-Shochu supper club comprising signature Junsei dishes paired with shochu.

The five-course tasting menu will feature seasonal plates paired with a different perfectly-made shochu served as a Highball, on the rocks or with hot water to perfectly complement each vintage’s individual flavour profile.


Rum Punch Day at the Punch Room

What: Two signature rum punches

Where: The London Edition

When: 20 September

There’s really only one place you can celebrate National Punch Day. This 20 September, get yourself to The Punch Room at The London Edition where the team will be celebrating the day with two signature rum punches.

Made with Santa Teresa Rum, the Roseta Punch is the first signature rum punch in the duo, and is the perfect refreshing drink to quench your thirst on a warm day. The Trial & Error punch, on the other hand, is an famous choice amongst those in the know. This rum punch has a base of Bacardí and jasmine tea syrup along with the additional ingredients of lime juice and lime bitter, hops tincture and dashes of cardamom bitter. It is finished off with a topping of tonic water and garnished with grapefruit peel and cinnamon dust – easy to see why this is the favourite for many.


Glasgow Cocktail Week

What: A week long celebration of cocktails in Scotland

Where: Glasgow

When: 23 September to 2 October

Save the date cocktail fans – the countdown to Glasgow Cocktail Week is officially on. That’s right, the Scottish city’s biggest cocktail festival is back for 2022, bringing together the city’s finest venues, delicious drinks, parties and even bigger events to celebrate mixology.

This year’s week-long celebrations will feature a whole raft of new events and masterclasses for ticket-holders to enjoy, including a wicked brunch series set in iconic venues hosted by Grey Goose, as well as the return of the Silent Disco Drinks in the sky, complete with even more extra Instagrammable delights including Bacardí wings, three DJ channels and a Mojito bike.


Fernet-Branca Barback Games

What: High-octane drinks industry competition

Where: London’s Village Underground

When: 28 September

Think you’ve got the stamina to complete in this year’s Barback Games? Well any bartender worth their arm-garters knows that this is the the most coveted accolade in the on-trade, but you’ve gotta be in it to win it.

So what’s the deal? Teams, made up of two members in any position within a hospitality venue, compete to win an incredible all expenses paid trip to Milan and visit the Fernet-Branca distillery. The competition involves multiple rounds, inspired by daily tasks carried out in a bar and judged by four hospitality experts, all against the clock.

To enter the games, competitors must sign up their team online at www.fernet-branca.co.uk/barbackgames by midnight on 14 September. For competitors outside of London, travel and accommodation will be provided


The Whisky Show London

What: The UK’s finest whisky festival

Where: Old Billingsgate, London

When: 30 September to 2 October

Back for its 14th year, The Whisky Show is a deep dive into the wonderful world of whisky, offering up more than 650 drams to sample alongside exclusive masterclasses, stage demos and guest speakers from the world of whisky.

Tickets to the show, which runs over three consecutive days, include a perfect measure tasting glass for you to take round and sample drams from some of the best distilleries and producers in the world.  Got a particular dram you’ve always wanted to try but has been out of your price range? Each ticket includes a Dream Dram token, which will give you access to a taste of one super premium whisky. Ever wanted to try the Glenfarclas 53 Years Old or the Johnnie Walker Masters Ruby Reserve 40 Years Old? This is your chance.

Tickets are priced from £80 (US$94) per head for a single day, up to £275 (US$323) for all three days.

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