The countdown to London Cocktail Week 2013 starts here…

Have you signed up for your London Cocktail Week wristband yet? If not, you’d better get a move on pretty sharpish. There’s less than a week to go before the biggest party in the capital gets underway and you’ll be kicking yourself if you’re not in on the action.

Like last year, the lovely people at Seven Dials have partnered up with the LCW crew, transforming the seven streets that make up the ‘DialsCovent Garden into a hub of cocktail-loving activity. And what activity! We’re talking everything from grooming (G&T and a shave at Murdock London for the fellas, and My Midori Manicures at Foundation Bar for the laydees), to a whole host of pop-up bars including must-visits such as the luxurious Belvedere Martini Bar where you can find out everything you ever wanted to know about this most classic of cocktails, the D.I.Y Drinks Drop-In with Monkey Shoulder and complimentary canapé cocktails at the London Cocktail Week Ketel One hub.

Fun and informative masterclasses and tutored tastings are also on the menu. We’ll be doing our bit, showing how to make simple cocktails at home using regular kitchen kit. Our event for Angostura at The Club at The Ivy (Monday 7th) is booked up but you can join us at Monkey Shoulder on Wednesday 9th. See London Cocktail Week information below.

The legend that is Gary Regan will also be doing a couple of stints with Monkey Shoulder. Don’t miss his Gaz’s Rocking Cocktails talk on whisky cocktails through the ages and try them for yourself during two very special evenings (Monday 7th and Thursday 10th). Quintessentially Vodka host their first pop-up with sushi and vodka pairings at private member’s club Crazy Bear. For those who want to sneak some culture into the week-long flavour-fest, there’s The Spirit Of Art by Giffard, kicking off a world tour of the art exhibition from the premium French liqueur company.

If you’re feeling peckish your £10 wristband also gives you access to classic one-dish wonders throughout the week such as English rose veal cottage pie with Chapeldown red wine gravy served with a Portobello Road Gin cocktail at the Pop-Up Pantry, or two One D.O.M cocktails served with dinky fish cakes, minted peas and tartare sauce, followed by a plate of eclairs at One Aldwych down the road.

For industry peeps, there’s the Home of Cocktail Culture  featuring a first-class programme of workshops from the Bacardi Brown-Forman Training Team as well as the Bartender’s Lounge which will be decked out as the Bloody Mary Garden.

But WC2 isn’t the only postcode embracing the theme. There are events taking place all over London, from the East to the West and pretty much everywhere in between. Over in Shoreditch Callooh Callay will be serving up a menu of childhood faves given an X-certificate with the addition of whisky at The Candy Store; Happiness Forgets in Hoxton hosts the team from Candelaria in Paris; Cap’n VV invites you aboard the Disco Volante for the fabulous Vestal Voyage – a cruise along the Regent’s Canal in an authentic barge. £25 buys you two cocktails and a place on what must surely be London’s first floating pop-up. If you’d rather watch a film, book up for Absolut Weird Science  at the Roxy Bar & Screen. You’ll get free Absolut Originality special Weird Science cocktail and cocktail offers throughout the evening.

Feeling flush? Then book up for one of the Discerning Drinker’s events including a fancy-pants dinner at Hutong on Level 33 of The Shard with a four-course meal matched with Zacapa rum, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch and Don Julio 1942 tequila – three exquisite spirits, one helluva cool setting.

And for the first time London Cocktail Week-goers will be eligible to attend the after parties. Just flash your wristband at Mahiki and Bodo Schloss for entrance. All that and £4 cocktails at participating bars. From 7th to 13th October.

Check londoncocktailweek.com to sign up for wristbands, book events and a full list of venues offering special London Cocktail Week drinks.