We love sitting at home in our pants complaining about the lack of air con as much as the next Londoner - particularly when there's a glass of wine involved. But with the end of summer in sight, it's time to get out there and explore the city's epic boozy adventures. Let's make the most of sunshine season, baby.

Cocktails In The City International Edition

When: 11-13 August

Where: Bedford Square Gardens, London WC1B 3DP

What: This boozy garden party beats downing canned G&Ts in the park by a long shot. Cocktails In The City is back with its second festival of the summer, and this one's all about celebrating the London bar scene's global influences. That means 20 of the capital's best bars will be showing off their internationally inspired serves, from Café Pacifico's next-level Margaritas, to epic Caribbean rum cocktails from Laki Kane, to Silverleaf's epitomisation of London minimalism. While you sip and snack, get your groove on at a silent disco, or channel your sporty side with a game of shuffleboard. 

Get your tickets here

Martin Miller's Gin Party at Silverleaf

When: 14 August, 7pm-12am

Where: Pan Pacific, 3rd floor, Devonshire House, 3 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4JX

What: You spent the weekend sipping the best drinks the capital has to offer at Cocktails In The City. Now head over to sexy hotel bar Silverleaf and celebrate the end of the festival with even MORE banging cocktails made with Martin Miller's Gin. For this shindig, the Silverleaf crew is teaming up with Martin Miller's global brand bartender Danil Nevsky to shake up six gin serves, each one centred on one central flavour - think raspberry, passionfruit or hazelnut. Nothing like a cheeky Sunday sesh to round off a few days of boozing...

Book here; walk-ins welcome

Hotel Starlino Music & Cocktail Evenings

When: 12, 19 and 26 August, 6:15pm or 7pm

Where: Terra at Eataly, 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD

What: POV: You just finished binging all of Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy, and you need an aperitivo STAT. Italian vermouth maker Hotel Starlino is here to help with its event line-up. Each Friday throughout August, the brand is hosting cocktail tastings accompanied by a live DJ at Terra, one of the restaurants in Italian food theme park Eataly. Sip a Spritz or two and then roam around the aisles pretending you're in a market in the Italian countryside. Tucci, eat your heart out.

Get your tickets here for £15; walk-ins welcome

Rum Insurrection

When: 16 August, 5:30pm-9:30pm

Where: Limin' Beach Club, Gabriel's Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP

What: Rum lovers, here's one for you. This one-night-only festival in South Bank features tastings of the best rums in the game - we're talkin' Appleton Estate, Black Tot, Equiano, Havana Club, Rhum Clement and Plantation rum, among others - with plenty of experts on hand to walk you through the intricacies of the spirit. You'll also take part in a cocktail masterclass (don't mind if we do!), eat delicious Caribbean canapés and boogie down to a DJ set. And don't miss the charity raffle, with all proceeds going to legendary industry charity The Drinks Trust - ya gotta love cocktails for a cause. 

Get your tickets here for £35

Sunday Sunsets at Tattu London

When: The last Sunday of each month - next one August 28th

Where: The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA

What: Wave bye-bye to the Sunday blues and instead choose to see out your weekend by partying in one of central London's coolest new additions. Tattu London is serving up insanely good Asian-inspired dishes (think black cod, Wagyu beef, lobster and king crab dumplings) alongside some highly inventive cocktails, in a restaurant that will have you drooling over the interiors as much as the dim sum. But that's not all - on Sunday nights get your funk on as you kick back to music from renowned international DJs who'll be flying in from party hotspots such as Ibiza, just so you can make the most of your weekend. With the next one happening on 28th August, we can't think of a better way to see out summertime. 

Book your table in advance here

Oysters & Pet Nat Party at Bar Crispin

When: 25 August

Where: 19 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PY

What: It's Bar Crispin's birthday, but we're the ones getting gifts. This Soho spot is turning one, and to celebrate, it's offering glasses of natural sparkling vino for just £5 and oysters for £2.50 a pop. Time to perfect your slurping technique, hun. 

Walk-ins only

Tropical Brunch Party at 100 Wardour Street

When: 28 August, 12pm-6pm 

Where: 100 Wardour St, London W1F 0TN

What: For bank holiday party vibes, look no further than this boozy brunch at Soho institution 100 Wardour Street. The space just got a tropical makeover courtesy of Ketel One Vodka and is decked out with loads of ferns, palms and flowers, so you know it's good for the 'gram. Get your feast on with two courses for £30 or three for £35 (hello, Moroccan shakshuka with harissa and flatbread), and add on free-flowing Jungle Juice cocktails or Prosecco to really pump things up. By the time the second drink hits, you'll be ready to hit the dance floor - lucky for you, a DJ's on deck all day long.

Book here

Summer Sessions at The Cadogan Arms

When: Each Saturday night throughout August

Where: 298 King's Rd, London SW3 5UG

What: Sultry summer nights are best when accompanied by live music and cocktails - fact. Swing on down to Chelsea and hit up one of SW London's best pubs, The Cadogan Arms. Not only are there acoustic sets to kick back to while sipping on a Don Julio Spicy Margarita, but the night picks up as evening descends and a DJ hit the decks to spin you into the Saturday mood. Whether you're just there for the booze (there's a table-service bottle menu if you're feeling flush) or also diving into epic dishes like their swanky take on classic ham, eggs and chips, this is one banging way to while away the weekend. 

Book here

New Summer Menu at Discount Suit Co

When: 'til the end of summer

Where: 29A Wentworth St, London E1 7TB

What: Just as yet another heatwave rolls into town, this ultra-cool east London speakeasy blesses us with a new menu - thanks a million, babes. Catch us chillin' in the bar's air conditioning, drinking Solero cocktails for the rest of the summer (these bad boys contain El Dorado Rum, agricole rhum, Rum Fire, Pimento Dram, coconut, mango and citrus, topped with whipped horchata, and they're pure nostalgia in a glass). We'll also be getting in touch with our (not-so-)inner Harry Styles stan and ordering the Watermelon Sugar, with Ocho Blanco Tequila, QuiQuiRiQuí Mezcal, Pampelle Grapefruit Aperitif, watermelon, agave and soda. Sexy, no?

 By Kate Malczewski
11/08/22