Cocktails are quite possibly one of the best creations, and they may just be one out there for everyone. Luckily for weegies, the city is hosting Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight – which has changed its name from Glasgow Cocktail Week this year due to its extension – dedicated to splendid, mouth-watering cocktails created by local bars, restaurants, hotels and more.
Taking place from September 25 to October 8, Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight (aka Glasgow Cocktail Week) is set to bring the party with a jam-packed line-up of fun immersive events, secret takeovers, brunches, masterclasses and immersive tastings announced in partnership with famous alcohol brands. Plus, the organisers are introducing a secret hub that will add an element of mystery and luxury, providing a unique space for exclusive events and a memorable month for cocktail aficionados.
Celebrating cocktail culture across the city, over 50 of Glasgow’s most-loved venues are taking part to bring memorable moments and delicious drinks to the festival including popular cocktail hangouts, such as Absent Ear, modern Scottish pub, The Gate, sky-high venue VEGA, or the negroni and wine bar Malo.
A full schedule full of participating bars, immersive events, masterclasses and secret takeovers has now been released, unveiling a bunch of exciting and quirky happenings. Ticket holders will once again have access to hundreds of exclusive discounted cocktails with £2 off the festival menu and unlock Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight menus featuring imaginative serves with their wristbands at a host of top venues across the city.
Brand new events this year
One of the most noteworthy events this year is the Coffee Shop Rave with free entry for wristband holders, featuring a Live DJ, a menu of coffee serves, Matcha cocktails and more. The full details have not yet been announced.
Festival-goers can dive deeper with two Saturdays of interactive masterclasses at VEGA’s brand-new horseshoe bar. Guests can indulge in a Champagne PIAFF tasting, St-Germain spritz sessions, TikTok-famous Dirty Spritz, rum, whisky and tequila workshops, and a Ben Lomond Gin masterclass exploring negronis, gin fizzes, and brambles.
Other events include a beauty, bubbles, and botanicals masterclass at Saints of Ingram on Sunday, 5th October, as well as four MAC Pro makeup artists masterclasses with live demos, insider tips, canapes from Saints of Ingram, a Ben Lomond Gin cocktail, and a mini bottle of Champagne PIAFF priced at £35 per person.
Moreover, Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight festival will also host a DRAG cocktail class on Friday, 27th September at the Corset Club. The immersive show boasts Queens Shego Sinner and Latex, helping cocktail lovers shake up two cocktails in an outrageous Drag Cocktail Masterclass.
Credit: VEGA
Speaking about the name change, Glasgow Cocktail Week/Fortnight organiser, Nicola Gemmell-Moir, said:
“This festival was created with love for the city and its bars, and we’re proud to have grown it into one of Glasgow’s most exciting events. Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight is focused on delivering our biggest programme yet. We’ve always been about collaboration, community, and showcasing the amazing drinks scene here, and this year’s festival will be a true celebration of that.”
“We’d like to thanks all our supporters – LVMH, William Grants, Bacardi, Loch Lomond Group and Edrington, the public and the city’s best bars for their continued support and we can’t wait to roll out Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight with over 55 venues this year, including Kelvingrove Café, Absent Ear, The Gate, Sebb’s, Locale, Devil of Brooklyn, Champagne Central and many more. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just love a good night out, Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight is your ticket to sip, celebrate and discover.”
Festival wristbands for Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight are now on sale and start from £5 for Early Bird tickets, and masterclasses are £10.
So, the countdown has officially begun for cocktail lovers with only four weeks to go, and we cannot wait.