2023 Events
Take a look at our awesome events programme for the 2023 festival! Some of our events were exclusively available to wristband wearers, others had a special price available just for festival go-ers. All were fantastic fun!
Warm-up Events
Before the festival begins
Buying a ticket gives you access to some amazing events, not just during the festival from 28 Sept–1 Oct but also in the days leading up to the festival! For these events you’ll need to show your Bristol Cocktail Weekend e-ticket in addition to your event e-ticket in order to gain entry or gain access to the exclusive prices available to festival go-ers.
Festival Events
Thurs 28 Sept—Sun 1 Oct
Our festival events are a great way to upgrade your Bristol Cocktail Weekend experience. Learn something new or try something a little different whilst you’re exploring the city and sipping £6 signature cocktails!
Warm-up Events
Old Fashioned Workshop With Maker’s Mark
Tues 26 Sept
Filthy XIII
7pm—8pm
£25 + booking fee
Kick start Bristol Cocktail Weekend with the first of our warm-up events. Join the team from Filthy XIII for an intimate evening celebrating one of our favourite classic cocktails – the Old Fashioned. You’ll start off with a welcome drink before being introduced to Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon. You’ll then get to grips with the construction of this celebrated cocktail whilst sampling three variations of an Old Fashioned. The first is brought to you by the team at Filthy XIII, the second by their friends from the Hideout, UK Top 50 cocktail bar who specialise in Whiskey and then it’s over to you to make your own! After the event you’re invited to hang out as the team from Hideout take over the bar and keep the Bourbon flowing all night long!
Bar Takeover With Internationally Acclaimed Bartender And Journalist, Tyler Zielinski
Wed 27 Sept
Filthy XIII
6pm—9pm
Free
Reservations Recommended
To celebrate Bristol Cocktail Weekend, UK Top 50 bar Filthy XIII are playing host to Tyler Zielinksi; international bartender, bar consultant and journalist. For one night only, Tyler will be behind the bar with the team at Filthy’s to present a brand-new menu of bespoke drinks and to share some of his fascinating industry insights. Simply make a table reservation if you want to join us and warm up for the festival!
The World’s Most Rubbish Quiz With Discarded Spirits
Wed 27 Sept
Loose Cannon
8pm—11pm
£2
Reservations recommended
Warm-up for Bristol Cocktail Weekend with Discarded, the award-winning zero waste spirit brand! Head to Loose Cannon for an activity filled quiz night with some absolutely fantastic prices. Gather your most competitive friends, brush up on your general knowledge and nail down that all important quiz team name. Spend the night sipping Discarded cocktails and enjoying a complimentary sample or two as you prepare to unleash your inner genius! Simply make a table reservation if you want to join the fun then pay your entry fee on the day. This event is exclusively for Bristol Cocktail Weekend festival go-ers – you’ll need to show your fesitval e-ticket when you pay your fee.
Festival Events
How To Capture Instagrammable Content In Bars
Thur 28 Sept
Her Majesty’s Secret Service
6pm—7.30pm
£30 + booking fee
Join internationally acclaimed drinks journalist and content creator Tyler Zielinksi to learn the how to develop great social media content when you’re exploring the city’s cocktail bars during the festival. You’ll also be treated to a relaxed Glenmorangie tasting. Leave your preconceptions about single malt whisky at the door and join the team at HMSS to taste three special drams; Glenmorangie 10 year, The Lasanta and Glenmorangie 18 year. Festival go-ers get a £5 discount (tickets are normally £35). Please note you will need to show either your festival wristband or your Bristol Cocktail Weekend e-ticket at the door, in addition to your event ticket, if you book the discounted price ticket.
Ice Carving & Cocktails With Roku Gin
Thurs 28 Sept
The Milk Thistle
6pm—8pm
£15 + booking fee
The Milk Thistle & Roku Gin are joining forces to give you an authentically Japanese evening. Enjoy 3 delicious Roku Gin cocktails, hear all about the history of House of Suntory and watch a master at work with a Japanese Ice Carving experience.
Garden To Glass With Highland Park
Thur 28 Sept
Hyde & Co
7pm—9pm
£15 + booking fee
Join Highland Park at Hyde & Co in a celebration of the weird, the wild and the delectable. To an exploration of the other-worldly, and in raising a glass to the unusual. Explore the origins of the northernmost distillery in the world with Whisky Specialist, Joe Ellis. Your journey will begin with a guided tasting of Highland Park, you will then be invited to tailor a bespoke cocktail to your taste-buds via a selection of locally foraged garnishes. Be prepared to explore unexpected contrasts as Highland Park and Hyde & Co join forces to create a wild harmony.
Gin & Waves: A Hendrick’s Tasting Voyage
Fri 29 Sept
6:30pm at Loose Cannon.
The boat leaves promptly at 7pm.
We anticipate your journey coming to an end at around 9pm
£35
Embark on a tasting experience like no other – Hendrick’s Gin meets nautical elegance! You’ll begin your journey with a welcome drink at Loose Cannon, sip their signature cocktail before embarking on a boat trip with a twist, a short walk away. As you ride the waves and take in the Bristol views you’ll enjoy three more Hendrick’s Gin cocktails plus some tempting gin tastings and mesmerising entertainment! Join us for an unforgettable evening on the water!
Black Cow ‘Martini Hour’ At Harbour House
Fri 29 Sept
Harbour House
7pm—10pm
£6
Meet the team behind the ‘world’s smoothest vodka’ at Harbour House for ‘Black Cow Martini Hour.’ The team have partnered with British popcorn brand Joe & Sephs to curate the perfect martini and popcorn pairings for you to enjoy, all accompanied by live music. Meet the Black Cow team, learn how they make their vodka purely from milk and most importantly, enjoy two exclusive martinis, paired with some delicious popcorn. What’s more – show your wristband at the bar to get a £4 refund on your £10 ticket price. What a fantastic deal!
Japanese Art with Toki
Sat 30 Sept
Spirited
4pm—6pm
£15
Join House of Suntory at Spirited for a truly authentic Japanese experience. Sip on some delicious Toki Highballs whilst you put your crafting talents to the test with a kintsugi class. Hosted by Whisky Specialist, Joe Ellis, and Kintsugi Teacher, Iku Nishikawa, you’ll hear all about the heritage of the century-old distillery that celebrates its rich heritage and Japanese craftsmanship.
Wonder Awaits with Brugal 1888
Sat 30 Sept
The Raven
7pm—9pm
£15 + booking fee
Deep in the heart of Bristol’s Old City, you’ll find The Raven, a space for those looking to experience things a little differently. Forget what you know, and enter the house of the Raven, where Wonders Await with Brugal 1888 Rum. Hosted by Brugal Ambassador Jamie Campbell, you’ll be taken through a guided tasting of 1888 and hear about the Brugal family’s exploration from Spain to the Dominican Republic. The evening will then take a mysterious turn in true ‘The Raven’ style; expect tarot cards and a truly magical cocktail to excite the senses.
Live DJ Party
Sat 30 Sept
The Lost & Found
8pm—1am
Free
Head to The Lost & Found for great vibes and a late-night tipple. The DJ will be playing everything from 80s classics to brand new chart toppers. A great place to finish day three of Bristol Cocktail Weekend!
Her Majesty’s Secret Cinema And Bristol Film Festival present ‘Cocktail’
Sun 1 Oct
Clifton Observatory
4pm—6pm
£36
Her Majesty’s Secret Service join forces with Bristol Film Festival to present a drink-a-long screening of the classic film ‘Cocktail. Over the course of the screening you’ll be treated to three themed cocktails. The perfect way to end Bristol Cocktail Weekend, plus your wristband gives you a special discount – tickets for non-festival go-ers are £40.
Her Majesty’s Secret Cinema And Bristol Film Festival present ‘Cocktail’
Sun 1 Oct
Clifton Observatory
7pm—9pm
£36
Her Majesty’s Secret Service join forces with Bristol Film Festival to present a drink-a-long screening of the classic film ‘Cocktail. Over the course of the screening you’ll be treated to three themed cocktails. The perfect way to end Bristol Cocktail Weekend, plus your wristband gives you a special discount – tickets for non-festival go-ers are £40.