Awesome work Hannah Sharman Cox and Siobhan Payne on another fantastic London Cocktail Week and congratulations on now becoming sole owners of the drinks festival that’s become a benchmark for many others around the world.
Including the next one on our schedule: Venice Cocktail Week which runs from 22nd-26th October and takes in five days of cocktails, cuisine, conversations and culture. As ever, Paola Mencarelli’s much anticipated event features a packed schedule and an exciting one at that, with plenty on offer for professionals and barflies alike.
The opening party at Aman Venice sets the tone of the event – nowhere does stunning palazzos and glorious views quite like this breathtaking city. But it’s not just about the location. As well as 28 great bars, each offering a Signature and a lighter, fresher Aperitivo di Mezzogiorno – all of which will include ABV content for more informed drinking choices btw, there’s a full roster for those wishing to brush up their bartending know-how. Top picks include ‘From the lab… to the table’, a masterclass with Jessica Zaetta from Sips in Barcelona; ‘Craft ’n’ Talks – Live’, a special recording taking place within the walls of a 15th-century palazzo. Davide Segat, Director of Bars at the NoMad Hotel, recently awarded Best International Hotel Bar at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awarded will be talking about the philosophy of the hotel and bar in NoMad Culture and there’s ‘Cocktail Careers: Dialogues behind the counter’, a special event curated by the Venice School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University Venice.
Barkeeper events at Time Social Bar, The ‘G’ Lounge & Garden Bar, Il Piccolo Bar, and Rivoire allow guests the opportunity to engage with local bartenders, hearing about the cocktails on their menus, the ethos behind their bars and of course, tasting their Venice Cocktail Week drinks. And as well as an array of tastings including Altamura Distilleries x Venissa – cocktail pairing with Edorado Sandri from the Atrium Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, there are an array of fabulous events. We’re looking forward to Aperitivio on the Canal Grand by Orient Express, midday aperitif with Matteo Fatica and Matteo Battistini taking place at the Aman, a guided visit to the Naval Pavilion of the Museo Storico Navle di Venzia and we advise booking for the fascinating walking tour, Venice in the glass: from the historic caffés to the cocktail bars, via the Bacari.
As well as all this there’s cocktail and dining options, cigar and spirits pairings, fashion, cocktail competitions and for the first time for VCW, a closing party to wrap up the festivities taking place at Arts Bar St. Regis.
“Once again, Venice Cocktail Week shines a spotlight on the lagoon’s excellence,” Paola Mencarelli informs. “Created to promote the culture of quality, conscious, and responsible drinking, the festival’s main goal is to highlight the professionalism of the city’s bartenders and strengthen the sense of community within the industry. It also offers newcomers, enthusiasts, and professionals the chance to meet and exchange views on current and future trends in mixology. A truly unique project that engages the entire city, developing a new way to experience a drink.”
See venicecocktailweek.it for full programme and details.
Participating bars:
HOTEL BARS
- Alchemia Bar, Ca’ di Dio
- Arts Bar, The St.Regis Venice
- Bar Biblioteca, Nolinski Venezia
- Experimental Cocktail Club, Il Palazzo Experimental
- Il Caravellino, Hotel Saturnia & International
- Il Piccolo Bar, Violino d’Oro
- Il Porto Lounge Bar, Palazzo Veneziano
- Lord Byron, Palazzo Keller
- Orientalbar & Bistrot, Hotel Metropole Venezia
- Santa Cocktail Club Venezia, Hotel L’Orologio Venezia
- Skyline Rooftop Bar, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
- The Bar at Aman Venice, Aman Venice
- The “G” Lounge & Garden Bar, Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace
- Venixino Lounge & Garden, Donà Palace
COCKTAIL BARS
- Blue Drop Venice
- Caffè Florian
- Caffè Lavena
- Gran Caffé Quadri
- Il Mercante
- La Barrique Wine Bar
- Marciano
- Mirai
- Moro Venice
- Rétro
- Rivoire
- Tarnowska’s American Bar
- Terrazza Aperol
- Time Social Bar
