Edinburgh Cocktail Week reveals programme

Organisers of Edinburgh Cocktail Week have announced the full line-up of its 2022 programme, which will take place from 7-16 October.

It has been revealed that his year’s 10 day festival will feature the biggest events programme to date.

The line-up includes 21 pop-up bars in the Cocktail Village, an interactive rooftop Mirror Mirror Bar, headline music acts and a programme of experiential events.

Gary Anderson, managing director of Edinburgh Cocktail Week, said: “Each year we continue to grow the festival by introducing new experiences and partnerships. This year sees our biggest and best programme yet with so many fun new features and events for wristband-holders to enjoy.

“With the cost of everything going up, and people feeling the pinch, we’re proud to offer a festival that is inclusive, with amazing £5 (US$5.78) cocktails at 120 bars across the city and free entry to the Cocktail Village. We can’t wait to welcome back local cocktail-lovers, and new visitors to champion Edinburgh’s bar scene.”

Each of the 120 bars taking part in the festival have created a signature cocktail that attendees can enjoy for £5 with an Edinburgh Cocktail Week wristband.

Additionally, nine ‘prestige’ venues have been announced that will offer festival-goers an ‘elevated’ cocktail experience created by some of the city’s world-class mixologists.

These venues include Hey Palu, Harrods Champagne Bar and Panda & Sons.

The festival has also introduced restaurants to its event programme. Wristband-holders can enjoy a complimentary cocktail when they dine at some of the city’s restaurants, including El Cartel, Superico, Luckenbooths, Dine and Heron.

All cocktails are available to view on Edinburgh Cocktail Week’s website.

The festival is also introducing the Mirror Mirror Bar, which will pop-up on the rooftop of The Glasshouse Hotel, offering wristband-holders cocktails ‘as they have never experienced before’.

Enclosed in a shimmering neon space, guests will be able to enjoy cocktails by whispering their order to the mirror wall and watch as the cocktail ‘magically’ appears through the looking glass.

Tickets cost £15 (US$17.35) per person and include entry, two cocktails and a 90-minute reservation, with additional cocktails available from £5.

The Mirror Mirror Bar is delivered in partnership with Halewood Artisinal Spirits-owned Whitley Neill.

Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, JJ Whitley Vodka and Yardhead Single Malt Whisky cocktails will also be available.

Cocktail Village

On top of the bar line up, wristband holders can also visit the Cocktail Village at Festival Square, open daily between 12pm – 11pm (BST).

Entry is free with a wristband and inside guests can enjoy £5 cocktails from 21 pop-up bars featuring a range of local and international brands including Grey Goose, Tequila Rose, Jack Daniel’s, London Essence, and Stranger’s Point Gin – a new local gin brand that will launch exclusively at the village.

A new ‘Takeover Bar’ will launch in the Cocktail Village this year, which will see some of Edinburgh’s top bars collaborate with Bacardi Martini brands; Hey Palu with Bacardi, Commons Club with Patron, Nauticus with Dewar’s and Hawksmoor with Bombay Sapphire.

New and bespoke experiences will be on offer throughout the week, including a 30-minute experience called Dramming in the Dark with The Glenlivet, which will take visitors through ‘a tasting like no other’.

The experience will feature an expertly curated music and light show that will reflect the individual tasting notes of three whiskies, contained in edible capsules rather than served in glasses. The sensory whisky tasting experience will be priced at £10 (US$11.56) per person.

Earlier in the year, organisers announced The Cocktail Village’s headline music acts which include sea shanty-singing TikTok sensation, Nathan Evans.