Over the next seven days, our city’s restaurants and bars (and all who drink in them) will be celebrating the 8th inaugural London Cocktail Week (1-7 October). So, we thought we’d raise our glass to eight of the best events venues taking part this year – bottoms up
All Star Lanes
London Cocktail Week serve Nettle & Kiwi Cooler (JJ Whitley Nettle Gin, St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, white wine, kiwi purée, lemon juice and sugar syrup, topped with soda)
Venue USP It’s not just bowling that’s celebrated at All Star Lanes. The venues also come with facilities for groups to take part in karaoke and Nintendo Wii tournaments – we know which one we’d need a cocktail for.
Location London Bridge
London Cocktail Week serve Black Cherry Negroni (Tanqueray No. Ten, Campari, ratafia and fernet branca, garnished with a dark chocolate-coated cherry)
Venue USP It’ll come as no surprise that it’s the views (what a cop out, eh?). Standing proud on level 31 of western Europe’s tallest building, the restaurant is probably one of the best spots in London for groups to watch the sun set over a well-turned cocktail.
Location Moorgate
London Cocktail Week serve Gog and McGog Punch (cognac, hopped tonic cordial and grapefruit juice with lemon zest)
Venue USP Other than the meat (the glorious meat), it’s the decor that makes Hawksmoor a must-mention on our list. The wood panels in the main restaurant are made from upcycled mahogany cabinets from the Natural History Museum.
Roka
London Cocktail Week serve The Mizunara Highball (Chivas Regal Mizunara, peach shochu, ginger ale and a lemongrass stirrer)
Venue USP Each of the three restaurants host masterclasses that are pretty premium for teambuilding. We like the sound of the sushi and whisky classes at the Canary Wharf outpost.
Location Mayfair
London Cocktail Week serve Citrus Blast (Herradura, Benares homemade cardamom & fennel sherbet, lime, dashes of orange bitters and tonic lemon)
Venue USP A Michelin star means this fine-dining Indian is guaranteed to impress the foodies in your group. The Sommelier’s and Chef’s tables are the prime spots for small groups while The Dover Room suits up to 36 for sit-down dos.
Location Bloomsbury
London Cocktail Week serve Rose Blossom (Tanqueray No. Ten, Italicus rosolio di bergamotto, elderflower cordial and orange bitters with English sparkling wine)
Venue USP The new bar at The Bloomsbury hotel was designed by interiors guru Martin Brudnizki and oozes 20s-style glamour. How to use it best? For standing cocktail receptions either in one of two of the private spaces or in the bar exclusively.
Location Oxford Circus
London Cocktail Week serve From Jerez to Clarendon (Ketel One vodka, Pedro Ximenez sherry and lemon, with a cherry and lemon foam)
Venue USP The outdoor terrace. Set five floors above Oxford Circus, the views up there come sunset are cracking. Groups can take it over when they hire the bar of the modern Spanish restaurant but if you want something seated, two PDRs are also on offer.
Location Mayfair
London Cocktail Week serve Garden and Gun (bourbon, grapefruit, Campari and agave syrup)
Venue USP Its spaces are cleverly designed. The top-floor PDR is adorned with antique maps that hide a 50in screen; La Cave is a wine shop that transforms into a tasting room; and the subterranean space has cave-like areas for groups to gather in.