GLASGOW is the centre of the cocktail-making world this week as Diageo Reserve and Glasgow Cocktail Week team up to host a week-long series of events across the city.
On Thursday September 26 the global final of the World Class Bartender of the Year competition takes place at SWG3 with Cameron Attfield of Disrepute in London representing the UK.
But there’s plenty more going on across the city before and after the competition.
Jump to: Monday, September 23 | Wednesday, September 25 | Thursday, September 26 | Friday, September 27 | Saturday, September 28
Events include:
Monday, September 23
Casamigos House of Friends Dinner Party, Five March, Elderslie Street
7pm and 9pm
A night of “eclectic cuisine and outstanding drinks” in one of the city’s newest restaurants.
Café Belsazar, Kelvingrove Café, Argyll Street
Running from September 23 to September 27, Café Belsazar will see different industry leaders hosting their aperitivo hour (4pm to 7pm) every evening. Then the ‘night shift’, between 8pm and 1am, will see the bar taken over by bartenders including former World Class GB winner, Aidan Bowie.
Wednesday, September 25
Scotland’s National Treasure, Radisson Red, Finnieston Quay
5pm-2am
The top four Scottish-based from this year’s World Class competition take over Radisson Red’s Sky Bar, with whisky taking centre stage. Drinks will be mixed by Ryan Snedden of Lucky Liquor, Jonny Arthur of Bramble, Tigerlilly’s Matty Galloway and Drew Gray from Glasgow’s The Finnieston.
Triple Threat – World Class Social, Kelvingrove Café, Argyle Street
8pm-Midnight
Upstairs, World Class finalists Kaitlyn Stewart, Orlando Marzo and Tim Philips serve a curated menu of cocktails and Scotch drinks made with Singleton and Johnnie Walker.
Downstairs, Frank Murphy of The Pot Still and World Class judge Dave Broom treat customers to “a true Glasgow malt experience” from the entire Diageo malt whisky portfolio.
Ketel One Kitchen Disco, KRU (above The Finnieston), Argyle Street
7pm-2am
Nine bartenders from across the country will take over KRU on Wednesday night, serving drinks created specially for community initiative the Ketel One Square Mile project. The event also promises the launch of the first “late-night Kitchen Disco speakeasy”, hidden within KRU.
Tartan Tiki, Tiki Bar, Bath Street
7pm-11.30pm
Tiki Bar is taken over by bartenders including World Class 2017 winner, Jennifer le Nechet, Licoreria Limantour boss Benjamin Padron and Tayēr & Elementary’s owner and bartender, Monica Berg.
Kwant vs Flying Dutchman, Dakota Hotel, West Regent Street
7pm-11.30pm
World Class 2010 winner, Eric Lorincz, Tess Posthumus of Amsterdam cocktail bar Flying Dutchmen and international bartender Lauren Mote are among the talent taking over the bar at Dakota.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place, The Gate, Gallowgate
7pm-Midnight
The Gate’s Andy Gemmell teams with the team from London whisky bar Black Rock to create some experimental whisky serves based around six different flavour profiles, all to a hip-hop soundtrack.
Finnieston Martini Service, The Finnieston, Argyle Street
7pm-11.30pm
Agostino Perrone, mixologist at The Connaught, and David Rios, World Class Spain winner from 2013, will run a special Martini service at The Finnieston, paired with “more oysters than you can shuck a stick at”.
World Whisky on the Campaign Trail, Porter & Rye, Argyle Street
7.30pm-1am
US bartenders Charles Joly (former World Class winner) and Julie Renier (founder of New York bars Flatiron Lounge and Leyenda) team up to deliver a special, whisky-focused menu for one night only at Porter & Rye.
Highball Izakya Basement, Wheesht, Claremont Street
7.30pm-11.30pm
Japan’s ‘three wise men’ of cocktails – Hidetsuga Uneo, Michito Kaneko and Manabu Ohtake – present highballs in the recently-opened Wheesht. Scotch drinks with a distinctly Japanese twist.
Three Sheets at Five March, Five March, Elderslie Street
7.30pm-11.30pm
Max Venning of London bar Three Sheets teams with Johnnie Walker brand ambassador Ali Reynolds for an evening of Johnnie Walker highballs.
Thursday, September 26
BlackTail Night Shift, Kelvingrove Café, Argyle Street
8pm-Midnight
As the World Class final takes place at SWG3, bartenders from New York’s BlackTail bar will serve up bespoke cocktails all night. Former World Class GB winner Aidan Bowie heads the team.
Friday, September 27
One Trick Pony Night Shift, Kelvingrove Café, Argyle Street
8pm-Midnight
The team from German bar One Trick Pony takes over Kelvingrove Café to usher in the weekend.
El Cartel takeover at The Gate, The Gate, Gallowgate
12 Noon-10pm
On September 27, 28 and 29 the team from Mexican restaurant El Cartel takes over The Gate for a weekend of tacos, tequila and Don Julio Margaritas.
Cocktail World, The Arches, Argyle Street
6pm and 9pm
On Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 Glasgow Cocktail Week culminates in a massive event in The Arches, where ten pop-up bars will serve cocktails and street food accompanied by music from live DJs.
Saturday, September 28
Ketel One Brunch, The 158 Club at Hutchesons, Ingram Street
12pm-3pm
Cocktails and brunch at Hutchesons’ Club Lounge, hosted by Ketel One’s UK brand ambassador, Kate Jackson. Three courses accompanied by three Ketel One serves.
