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Top 10
What’s on in October
The busiest month of the drinks industry calendar is upon us, so to help you plan your time, we’ve rounded up 10 must-visit events happening this October.
Spooky season is upon us, so you can expect venues around the globe to up their game this month when it comes to boo-zy cocktails. Meanwhile if you’re looking to get your geek on, there are plenty of trade shows taking place throughout October, with seminars, industry talks and tastings ready to cater for every interest.
Keep reading to find out what else you should be adding to your schedule this month.
Halloween at Mr Foggs
What: All Hallows Eve becomes All Hallows Month
Where: Select Mr Fogg’s venues across London
When: From 1-31 October
Taking inspiration from gothic novels, this month guests of Mr Fogg’s London venues can immersive themselves in the chilling world of Victorian horror, with cocktails created in partnership with Bacardi and inspired by ghostly tales and eerie stories of the macabre.
At subterranean bar Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration, cues have been taken from Frankenstein, Dracula and Jack The Ripper, while at Mr Fogg’s Apothecary, located opposite Claridge’s, the cocktails have been inspired by The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The String of Pearls.
Sax appeal at The Savoy
What: Weekly live jazz nights
Where: The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, London
When: Every Wednesday until 23 October
In partnership with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, The Savoy is hosting the latest iteration of its live performance series, Beaufort Bar Sounds: Jazz Edition.
The events kick off with industry favourite, Reuben James, whose unique sound has been influenced by collaborators including the likes of Stormzy, Sam Smith and Herbie Hancock.
A collection of cocktails has been crafted for the occasion using Johnnie Walker Blue Label, with three new signatures inspired by classic cocktails, including The Blue Walker, a new take on the iconic Savoy cocktail, the Moonwalk, with clarified grapefruit cordial, grapefruit bitters and Champagne.
Each event starts from 8.30pm, and there is no entry fee, but booking is recommended.
London Cocktail Week
What: The 15th annual celebration of cocktails returns
Where: Across London
When: 3-13 October
Marking its first official year as a not-for-profit event, London Cocktail Week is returning for its 15th year this October, and its bringing with it all the ingredients known to make it the ultimate celebration of the capital’s cocktail scene, including £8 signature cocktails, The Connoisseur’s Collection – a programme of luxury experiences designed especially for the event – and The Bartender Knowledge Exchange.
For more information of this year’s 11-day festival, pick up a copy of the October issue of The Spirits Business magazine.
House of Spirits
What: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée for the 2024 Halloween season
Where: Los Angeles, Dallas and Seattle, US
When: Various dates starting 4 October
This autumn, this avant garde event returns with two hauntingly unique seasons, each brimming with new characters, captivating stories and tantalising cocktails that promise to enchant and entertain attendees.
In LA, the enigmatic Casa Vega returns to the Nocturne Theatre, drawing guests into the dark and tragic tale of Francisco and Molly Vega and their descent into madness and occult rituals, inspired by the life and art of Spanish painter Francisco Goya.
Casa Vega will also haunt Dallas at The Alexander Mansion, allowing Texas guests to immerse themselves in the sorrow and supernatural phenomena that envelop the Vega family.
Finally in Seattle, guests will step into the chilling Vaughan Mansion at the historic DAR Rainier Chapter House. The Haunting of Vaughan Mansion, inspired by Ireland’s infamous Loftus Hall, merges Irish folklore with bizarre legends.
Every ticket to House of Spirits includes access to a curated selection of cocktails, each meticulously crafted to reflect the essence of the characters and settings. Beyond the libations, guests will encounter live music, captivating dance performances, burlesque shows, tarot readings and mystical encounters. Guests are encouraged to roam the party at their own pace.
BOWSFest
What: The eighth annual Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival
Where: The Capital Turnaround in Navy Yard, Washington DC
When: 5 October, 2-8pm
The highly anticipated Black Owned Wine and Spirits Festival (BOWSFest) returns to Washington, DC. With the theme of ‘One World, One Legacy’, this year’s festival celebrates the African diaspora and its impact on the global wine and spirits industry.
The event will also showcase more than 30 Black-owned wine and spirits brands. Guests can expect pours and by-the-bottle purchases from international and domestic labels such as DuNord Spirits, Boyd Cru Wines, Brown Girls Brew, and Den of Thieves Whiskey, an outdoor cigar lounge, chef demonstrations, food and retail vendors, and more.
SommCon presents Women in Craft Forum
What: The Craft Beverage Expo brings a new dimension to the conference
Where: Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California, US
When: 5-7 October
SommCon’s collaboration with the Women in Craft Forum brings a powerful new dimension to the 2024 conference, Craft Beverage Expo.
The Women in Craft Forum will be bringing forward conversations about the challenges and nuances of being a woman in the craft alcohol industry, encompassing wine, beer, spirits, sake, cider, mead, and non-alcoholic beverages. Expect educational sessions, mentorship, and networking opportunities, empowering attendees through shared stories, practical advice, and celebrating achievements.
Women in Craft Forum kicks off on Friday 4 October with a welcome meet up at a local brewery or distillery followed by a full day of workshops. The forum takes place ahead of SommCon’s educational programming, giving attendees the ability to participate in both experiences and maximise their time in market.
Edinburgh Cocktail Week
What: Scotland’s capital capitalises on cocktail culture
Where: Across Edinburgh
When: 11-20 October
Edinburgh Cocktail Week is back for another fun-filled 10 days, complete with the Cocktail Village at Festival Square, open 12pm-11pm daily (8pm close on Sundays).
With the flash of a wristband, guests can enjoy £5 signature cocktails at 100 of the city’s best bars for the entire 10-day duration of the festival, while also gaining free access Cocktail Village – the festival’s social hub – where more £5 cocktails can be purchased from 24 pop-up bars.
New for this year is the Champagne Lounge in partnership with Piaff Champagne; a live music stage with local musicians and headline acts; mouthwatering street food trucks; and a dedicated no-and-low bar for the first time.
Bar Convent Berlin
What: The world’s largest trade fair for the drinks industry
Where: Berlin, Germany
When: 14-16 October
The largest trade fair for the bar and beverage industry returns to Berlin in October, and bar owners, bartenders, distributors and manufacturers from almost 90 countries are expected to arrive in the German capital to learn about product innovations and attend seminars.
In May, the global trade show confirmed it would host an additional education area dedicated to whisky at this year’s three-day event, with the OurWhisky Foundation named as the official education partner.
The trade event also confirmed it will showcase international drink industry newcomers as part of the Young Guns initiative.
For more information of this year’s show, pick up a copy of the October issue of The Spirits Business magazine.
Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, Winter Edition
What: A long weekend of cocktails in The Midlands
Where: Birmingham, UK
When: 24-27 October
This four-day celebration of Birmingham’s cocktail industry is returning for winter, and as with every previous iteration of the weekend, venues have been handpicked for guests to enjoy and explore.
Organisers have included old favourites, new openings for the city and some hidden gems, too. Each of the bars taking part will be serving up £5 signature cocktails and £4 non-alcoholic serves exclusively for wristband wearers.
Desert Ghost Halloween Cocktail
What: A VERY chilling Halloween season
Where: Minus5º ICEBAR, Las Vegas
When: Throughout October
This October, Minus5º Icebar is conjuring up a chilling new cocktail to celebrate the Halloween season. As the latest addition to the ice lounge’s ‘Fresh & Cool’ bar programme, the Desert Ghost cocktail is a spirited masterpiece.
Available for US$14, the Desert Ghost is composed of Ghost Spicy blanco Tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and white cranberry juice. It is topped off with a huckleberry syrup float for a mesmerising, eerie-looking finish. In a delightful twist that could only come from Minus5º, the Desert Ghost is also served in a hand-carved glass made entirely of ice, ensuring that each sip remains icy cold.
The cocktail will be available for a limited time throughout October at all three Las Vegas Strip locations, including Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, The Linq Promenade and Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.
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