What’s on in April 2024

Bar takeovers, cocktail shows, exhibitions and more – April is looking to be a busy month for events.

Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or simply want to sample some new spirits, there’s something for everyone.

Keep scrolling to find out our pick of the top 10 spirits events happening this month.

A celebration of spring with Roku

What: A menu designed around Roku’s Sakura Blossom Gin
Where: Plume, Singapore
When: Throughout April

Singapore’s Plume bar will be welcoming in spring and cherry blossom season with three bespoke cocktails made with Roku Gin’s Sakura Blossom Edition.

The Saku-Mai is a spirit-forward cocktail with an umami twist, while the ⁠Ohanami is a floral highball. The final cocktail, Lady in Osaka, offers ‘lusciously fresh flavours of flowers’.

Sticks’n’Sushi cocktail masterclass

What: The House of Suntory shares tips on the art of bartending
Where: Sticks’n’Sushi Shoreditch, London
When: Throughout April

The House of Suntory’s brand ambassador, Raffaele Di Monaco, will teach diners how to create four cocktails that are paired with some of Sticks’n’Sushi’s most popular dishes, such as a Spicy Kumquat Gimlet paired with a Shishito Yaki Stick.

In keeping with both The House of Suntory and Sticks’n’Sushi’s ethos, there will be a specific focus on Japanese flavours and culture, with an origami session featuring in each class.

Jewel of the South x Four Walls

What: A taste of New Orleans in Nashville
Where: Four Walls, Nashville, Tennessee
When: 3-4 April

New Orleans restaurant and bar Jewel of the South is taking over at Four Walls in Tennessee for two nights only. In partnership with Corsair Distillery, the pop-up menu will be inspired by an exhibition at the Frist Art Museum and is the first in a series.

The collaborative menu will feature Jewel of the South’s Bywater, made with El Dorado Rum 5 Year, Smith & Cross Rum, Amaro Averna, Chartreuse, orange bitters and Peychaud’s Bitters, as well as Four Walls’ Emerald City (Corsair Gin, wasabi, lime, Rum Auricle, Rhum Agricole, Calpico and sesame oil.

Edinburgh Bar Show

What: Scotland’s first international bar and cocktail show
Where: Across Edinburgh
When: 8-10 April

Industry veterans Iain McPherson, Jamie Faulds and Gary Anderson will unite the Scottish bar community next month, offering ‘memorable events with a distinctly Scottish slant’.

Headline events include an opening party with Aberfeldy, Craigellachie and Royal Brackla, as well as bar takeovers from London bar Kwãnt and Stockholm’s Röda Huset, and a second-day party with The Botanist and Bruichladdich.

Plus, Hendrick’s Gin will host a closing party, while Campari Academy will showcase highlights from its seminar programme.

IAADFS Summit of the Americas

What: A crucial event for those in the Americas and Caribbean duty free sector
Where: West Palm Beach, Florida
When: 14-17 April

The 2024 Summit of the Americas will see travel retail and duty free professionals come together to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Drinks exhibitors already confirmed include: Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Diageo, Flor de Caña, Latin Gin and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The exhibit hall is open for two-and-a-half days, with educational sessions taking place on 15 April.

American Whiskey 101

What: A guide to all things Bourbon and beyond
Where: Racks Bar & Kitchen, Bristol
When: 15 April

If you’re UK-based but your interests are more US-focused, this masterclass from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US will teach you everything you need to know about Bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, American rye whiskey, and American single malt.

Hosted by drinks writer Kristiane Sherry, the event will feature a tasting of expressions in each category as well as a cocktail masterclass.

Nearest & Jack Spirits on the Rise Summit

What: A two-day event bringing together BIPOC spirits professionals
Where: Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg and the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee
When: 15-16 April

The Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, created by Tennessee whiskey brands Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel’s to boost diversity in the industry, is to host its second summit.

The event aims to help historically underrepresented communities develop their spirits businesses, with workshops and panels on topics like revenue growth management, distributor management, public relations, funding, route to market and shopper marketing – not to mention countless networking opportunities.

Women Leading Rum

What: An inaugural event dedicated to women in rum
Where: Meeu exhibition hall, Madrid
When: 26 April

The first edition of the ‘Women Leading Rum, Europe Conference’ will be held during The Rum Lab’s inaugural Spain Rum & Gin Expo.

The event will be introduced by Larissa Arjona, president of the Women Leading Rum organisation, and will feature master blenders, brand ambassadors, bartenders and other personalities from the rum sector. Awards to visionary women and industry leaders will be also be presented as part of The Ultimate Awards.

Better Spirits Make Better Drinks

What: A masterclass from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, with proceeds going to charity
Where: Old Street Records Shoreditch, London
When: 29 April

Tito’s masterclass will demonstrate how quality vodka can elevate cocktails, while raising money to support a drinks industry-focused non-profit Equal Measures.

The event will be held in collaboration with The Spirits Business, with the session led by editor Melita Kiely, as well as Matt Brennan and Ashley Wardill from Tito’s.

Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese x Boadas

What: Barcelona’s oldest bar serves up Martinis in London
Where: Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, London
When: 30 April

The team at Boadas, which has been slinging Martinis since 1933, will be bringing their historic recipes to London. The event is sponsored by Amaro Santoni, so expect aperitivo-inspired serves and cocktails that blend history and innovation.