What’s on in February 2024
February is a short month but a big month, with Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year all reasons to go out and celebrate.
There are also plenty of trade shows for those looking to expand their knowledge, as well as bar takeovers galore.
Keep scrolling to find out our pick of the top 10 spirits events happening this month.
The Three Chimneys at Talisker
What: Two Isle of Skye heavyweights come together
Where: Talisker Distillery, Scotland
When: From 1 February
Renowned Scottish restaurant The Three Chimneys is launching a pop-up dining experience at Talisker’s newly designed waterfront space.
The experience invites guests to ‘fully immerse themselves in the rugged coastal landscape of Skye, through locally sourced food and drink’. The menu, titled ‘The Journey’, is inspired by the process of whisky distilling.
Cupid’s Hideaway pop-up
What: A Valentine’s-themed pop-up bar for singles, couples and friends
Where: Royal Oak, Michigan
When: 1-17 February
A pop-up bar has opened in the basement of the Bandit Tavern in Michigan, with Valentine’s-themed decor, drinks and more.
Cocktails include Talk Flirty to Me (vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, ginger beer and candy hearts), Heart of Gold (Bourbon, lemon juice, honey syrup and glitter) and Just Friends (vodka, hibiscus, simple syrup, triple sec and lime juice).
Satan’s Whiskers and Himkok join forces
What: A London bar heads to Norway
Where: Himkok, Oslo
When: 7 February
East London bar Satan’s Whiskers is packing its shaker and heading to Oslo for Himkok’s first bar takeover of the year. The event is sponsored by Bacardi and will see Satan Whiskers and Himkok come together to create three cocktails using Bacardi brands.
Satan’s Whiskers’ owner Kevin Armstrong and the bar’s manager, Oliver Sagerström, will host a masterclass called ‘A Decade Of Detail’, explaining how the duo established their brand 10 years ago.
Miami Rum Congress
What: An educational event designed to elevate rum knowledge
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida
When: 9-11 February
The fifth edition of Miami Rum Congress will see the event partner with Park Street University to host a series of seminars, alongside tastings and an industry party.
The event will also feature a rum documentary screening, a bartending competition and several product launches.
Chop Suey Club’s Dragonpalooza
What: New York’s biggest Lunar New Year party
Where: Olly Olly Food Hall & Market, New York City
When: 11 February
Independent store The Chop Suey Club is throwing a Lunar New Year party at Olly Olly Market, with food stalls, prizes, a dragon dance and more.
The night will feature an open bar, with spirits partners including Ming River baijiu, Monkey Shoulder whisky, Hendrick’s Gin and more.
Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
What: The fifth annual meeting of wine and spirits professionals
Where: Porte de Versailles, Paris
When: 12-14 February
This year’s Vinexpo Paris event will feature 25% more space in the Be Spirits area, which will cover categories such as Tequila, umeshu, vermouth, vodka, whisky, mezcal, Calvados, Cognac, gin, and more.
The trade fair is also expecting a 35% increase in visitor numbers to 40,000 guests, with 3,900 exhibitors set to showcase their products.
Viajante87 takeover series
What: Latin America’s best bars come to London’s Notting Hill
Where: Viajante87, Notting Hill, London
When: 13 February
Notting Hill cocktail bar Viajante87 has launched a takeover series called ‘The Culture Exchange’, inspired by the time that bar director Pietro Collina and brand manager Veronica Di Pietrantonio spent in Latin America.
In February, chefs Luana Sabino and Eduardo Nava Orti of Metzi restaurant in São Paulo will serve up a feast, while the bar will be taken over by the team from São Paulo bar SubAstor. Further takeovers will take place throughout the year.
Mr Lyan travels the world
What: London bar Seed Library heads to Toronto and New York
Where: Toronto’s Library Bar and New York’s Mister Paradise
When: 12-13 February
Ryan Chetiyawardana – AKA Mr Lyan – has kicked the year off with an international tour, taking the team at London’s Seed Library bar to Dublin, Toronto and New York.
At the Library Bar in Toronto, the team will host an exclusive masterclass before serving up some of their signature cocktails.
In New York City, the team will collaborate with Mister Paradise, which is known for its playful drinks including a Dirty Martini made with shōchū.
Mondial du Rhum
What: A global event celebrating rum culture
Where: Palais Brongniart, Paris
When: 13-15 February
The second rum exhibition of the month is better positioned for European rum fans, taking place in the centre of Paris. Sessions will cover innovation, the circular economy, artificial intelligence, biology, industry, finance and training.
Rum brands exhibiting include Eminente, Distillerie Montebello and Tamure Rhum.
Bushmills Origins of Whiskey
What: A whiskey tasting and an immersive experience
Where: Halls des Lumières, New York
When: 23-24 February
Bushmills is bringing a rare collection of aged Irish single malts to the US this February. As part of the event, some of Ireland’s finest storytellers will recount legends that helped shape the story of whiskey using immersive technology. Sláinte!
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