It's that time of year again: every email you send gets an automatic out-of-office response and all your mates are posting Insta dumps of their tropical vacays. But even if you used up your holiday allowance back in the depths of winter, you can still have some serious summer fun in London - especially if you're in the mood to booze. Check out our picks of the hottest cocktail events hitting the city this month...

Independence Day at The Lowback

When: Tuesday 4 July

Where: The Lowback, 1 Water St, London E14 5GX

What: Raise a glass to the red, white and booze - er, blue - at a USA-themed cocktail cookout hosted by the crew at Hawksmoor’s floating bar. Naturally, there’s gonna be plenty of gloriously OTT ‘merica-inspired dishes (hello, chilli cheese dog) and a live band playing country pop hits. But the real draw for BarChick is the bourbon, of course. Expect awesome Maker’s Mark cocktails for £8 a pop, including a patriotic riff on Hawksmoor’s classic Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew, with Maker’s Mark, lemon, ginger and golden ale. Time to get (star) spangled!

Book in here

Outcrop’s Grand Opening

When: From Friday 7 July

Where: Outcrop, 180 The Strand, 1 Surrey St, London WC2R 2ND

What: This three-month pop-up ain’t just a restaurant, it’s a full-on social and sensory experience. We’re talkin’ an epic installation from art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast and DJ sets inspired by migratory patterns, alongside a menu of Thai dishes featuring epic British produce and beaut cocktails made exclusively with British spirits. Sipping a British Margarita (that’s barley eau de vie, London honey and gooseberry, FYI) in a verdant courtyard? You better be-leaf it’s on our summer bucket list. 

Make your res here

Cocktails In The City

When: Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 July

Where: Bedford Square Gardens, London WC1B 3HH

What: When London’s best bars join forces to throw a wicked garden party, you know it’s gonna be a wild time. The first instalment of Cocktails in the City 2023 looks set to be a banger, with joints like Nightjar, TT Liquor, The Coral Room and Alma by Sucre going al fresco and serving up signature drinks along with new creations. And if you’re feelin’ adventurous, you can also have a go at ice carving, or get ya groove on at a silent disco. You know we’ll be wearing our dancing shoes…

Get your ticket here

The Rum Show

When: Friday 14 & Saturday 15 July

Where: Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, London Bridge, London SE1 9DD

What: Rum lovers, rejoice! The Whisky Exchange's Rum Show is back for 2023, and it's gonna be big. Snag a ticket and you'll get a tasting glass, access to sample over 200 rums, a cocktail and the chance to try one "dream tot" - that's a pour from a bottle priced between £250 and £499. Talk about luxury! You'll also get to attend masterclasses with industry legends and rub shoulders with the people who make your fave rums. 

Tickets start at £50; get yours here

Sipsmith Swancierge Bus

When: Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 July

Where: Battersea Power Station

What: Proof that the Victoria Line on a Friday night ain't the only form of London transport that gets wild! Sipsmith Gin is celebrating its sponsorship of Wimbledon with a visit from the Swancierge Bus. Just scout out this big green vehicle around Battersea Power Station and get involved with some epic gin cocktails. Ace! 

Free Cazcabel Palomas

When: Thursday 27 & Friday 28 July

Where: Boom Battle Bar venues across the UK

What: The only thing better than tequila? FREE tequila! In honour of the most wonderful day of the year - AKA International Tequila Day - the legends at Cazcabel are giving away a whopping 2,600 Palomas at 26 Boom Battle Bars throughout the country. This next-level cocktail, a wicked mix of tequila, grapefruit soda, agave and lime juice, is our pick for the drink of the summer - here's your chance to take it for a spin without splashing the cash. 

Sky Garden Summer Party

When: Friday 28 July

Where: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF

What: Parties with a view don't get better than this, baby. Sky Garden is throwing a summer bash 35 storeys above the city, complete with a resident DJ spinning some true party anthems (fingers crossed for a little Padam Padam). Wanna really take things to the next level? Round up your mates and book a table of six - you'll get two cheese and charcuterie boards, two bottles of Moët & Chandon and waiter service for the evening, so you can live your best boujee life.

Tickets are £65 for entry and a welcome cocktail; get yours here

Off the Cuff Cocktail Club

When: Saturday 29 July 

Where: London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, London N1 8PA

What: POV: You've got strong opinions on what makes a great cocktail, but your mixology skills leave something to be desired. Enter: Off the Cuff Cocktail Club. Over the course of two and a half hours, this new personalised experience lets you design your own drinks using a custom-built app, then kick back as the experts bring your creations to life. 

Tickets are £85 each; get yours here

Summer Nights in Vegas Pop-up

When: Now ‘til Saturday 9 September

Where: 100 Wardour St, London W1F 0TL

What: Can't make it to Vegas this summer? We've got the next best thing. Late-night Soho spot 100 Wardour St is teaming up with Cîroc Vodka and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to transform the space into a Vegas-inspired extravaganza. Expect residencies from Vegas mixologists and chefs, neon lights, vintage slot machines, live entertainment - and a wedding chapel (for Insta purposes only, of course). You know what they say: what happens in the Vegas-themed pop-up, stays in the Vegas-themed pop-up... 

Book in here

Disco Drinks, Barbie Style

When: Thursdays & Fridays in July

Where: Swift Shoreditch, 91-93 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HZ

What: Yeah, we'll be first in line to see the Barbie movie when it hits cinemas this month... and until then, we'll be vibing with some pink drinks courtesy of the crew at Swift Shoreditch. For the July edition of their Disco Drinks series, they're teaming up with aperitivo brand Amaro Santoni to sling some rose-coloured cocktails like the Fairyland, with Amaro Santoni, Irish whiskey, lime, rhubarb and Prosecco. This Barbie is getting boozy! 

Sketch & Spritz at The Standard

When: Sundays throughout summer from 3-5pm

Where: Isla at The Standard, 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG

What: Fancy yourself an artist? Round up your creative crew and hit The Standard hotel's weekly Sketch & Spritz sesh. Grab two-for-one Spritzes as you channel your muse - each week, florist Hattie Flower creates botanical tableau to provide inspiration. 

29/06/2023