Manchester launches ‘first’ cocktail festival

Set to take place between 8-14 August, Manchester Loves Cocktails, the city’s “first-ever” cocktail festival, will bring together 30 of the UK city’s venues with a week-long programme of activity.

Over 40 events will take place during the festival including tasting dinners, masterclass sessions and competitions to celebrate the art of mixing drinks.

Bars and restaurants taking part include Hawksmoor, Pen and Pencil, El Gato Negro, Mojo, Gorilla, Cottonopolis and The Alchemist.

Each venue will collaborate with a spirit brands on a one-off exclusive cocktail menu, priced at £4.50 for each cocktail, available for wristband holders only.

Participating brands include Portobello Road Gin, El Jimador, Bacardi, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Hudson Whiskey, Montelobos Mezcal and Licor 43.

Events will include The Savoy’s American Bar takeover at El Gato for The Evolution of the Gin Cocktail with Portobello Road Gin, and a Bourbon Masterclass & Blues Party at Fitzgerald in association with Hudson.

Founder and Leeds drinks enthusiast Nick Fox created the Leeds Loves Cocktails festival four years ago, attracting thousands of cocktail fans in the process.

Fox said: “Manchester is one of the UK’s greatest destinations for cocktail lovers. The standard of cocktails in the city are on par with top bars of London and New York and it’s about time that the city has a festival to celebrate Manchester’s incredible talent and diverse cocktail scene. The north definitely has a lot to offer, and I want us to celebrate that fact with a week long cocktail festival.

“Over the seven days we’ll be encouraging guests to ‘drink better, not more’ by exploring the story behind people’s favourite spirits, as well as some spirits they may have not come across before with tasting masterclasses and events throughout the whole week.”

The festival will support trade charity Hospitality Action, with 25p of each wristband sold being donated to the charity. Wristbands are priced at £10 for consumers and £5 for trade.