Manchester Loves Cocktails 2016

Seven days of mixing, shaking, creating, drinking, tasting, clinking, debating and sipping across some of the city’s coolest bars, restaurants and venues.

Join us for one-off events, tasting dinners, masterclass sessions, competitions and parties to celebrate the art of mixing. 

Wristbands get you:
- discounted £4.50 selected cocktails at participating bars throughout the entire week of the festival. 
- free entry into all festival events throughout the week*

*some events require advance booking and additional payment. See timetable and individual events for details. 

Your tickets can be exchanged for wristbands at a designated hub in Manchester City Centre. The Hub will be CRAZY PEDRO’S and all wristbands will be available to buy or collect from 12-8pm from August 1st.

Taking place 8th - 14th August 

The festival and events takes place across 30 of the city's finest venues that include: Alchemist, Botanist, El Gato Negro, Crazy Pedros, Red Door, Hula, Fitzgerald and Cane and Grain- to name just a few

For a full list head to www.lovescocktails.com

EVENT TIMETABLE 

*Some events may require prior booking, contact the venue for further details*

Monday 8th August

1-2:30pm Gin vs Whisky @ Corridor

.Scotland is best known for it’s Whisky - and has been for hundreds of years. Come and find out why but also why Scottish gin is becoming so popular. Try the same cocktail made with the different base spirit and choose your favourite!

5-8pm Gin o Clock @ Tusk

Come down and enjoy a G&T and get 50% off a pizza- win, win.

3-7pm War of the Roses (MLC EVENT)

5 Bars, 5 Brands, 5 Battles. Manchester vs Leeds bartenders battle it out in the 2nd War of Roses Industry competition. Leeds won last time, can Manchester take back the bragging rights on home turf?

6-8pm Gin Safari Whitley Neill @ Tusk

Join us at Tusk for a gin safari with African-inspired gin, Whitley Neill.

You’ll learn all about the history of Whitley Neill, its African inspiration and get some expert tuition on gin, botanicals and tonics. You’ll also enjoy a selection of delicious cocktails and G&Ts made with along the way.

6-8pm Discover Auchentoshan @ The Whiskey Jar

A guide through the Auchentoshan range of single malt whisky and your chance to create your own Auchy and Ale Cocktail. An interactive session including a tutored tasting session and the chance to make your own Auchentoshan cocktail.

9pm - 4am MLC OPENING PARTY @ Crazy Pedro’s

You are invited to come and join us celebrate the opening of the MLC 16 Festival. Music, food, great company and of course…cocktails! Lets start the week off properly. Cheers.

Tuesday 9th August

12:30 - 2:30pm A Toast to Paris with Courvoisier @ Arcane

Maxxium UK invites you to a sensory master class to explore one of the most aromatic cognacs, Courvoisier. Global Brand Ambassador Rebecca Asseline will lead a tutored tasting of the portfolio using ‘Le Nez’ to bring this storied cognac to life. The session will feature the new Courvoisier range (VS, VSOP, XO)

12:30-2:30 Santa Teresa Masterclass @ Hula

Solero v Solera:  Do you know the difference?

One’s an icecream, and the other is how 1796 blends it’s 5-35 yr aged rum to perfection.  Come and learn the ins and outs of the elusive Solera System as Santa Teresa break down the process with distillates and samples at each step of the way.  Learn the history of the process, why it’s used  and how Santa Teresa have innovated this this unique process to produce their flagship rum, Ron Santa Teresa 1796.  Plus, there’s a little treat from the Hacienda….. come and find out.

3-5pm Ketel 1 World Class Workshop @  Epernay

Four Industry luminaries guide you through a series of workshops

exploring the 325 year history and heritage of Ketel 1, and the art of modern, pioneering techniques for mixing and presenting cocktails at a world class level.

3pm- 5pm A-Salt your senses with Montelobos @ Liquor and Burn

Salt, spice and everything nice. Traditionally, Mezcal is accompanied with flavoured salts. Create your own salt whilst discovering the  difference between Montelobos and tequila and the current worldwide craze for Ancho Reyes chilli liqueur.

2pm - 5pm Licor 43 Mixology Competition with Licor 43 @ Alchemist

Mixologists from around the city come together to compete in a cocktail competition.Come along and watch the creativity of some of your finest bartenders in Manchester.  £4.50 drinks available for wristband holders.

5-8pm Gin o Clock @ Tusk

Come down and enjoy a G&T and get 50% off a pizza- win, win.

6:00-7:30pm A Toast to Paris @  Arcane

Maxxium UK invites you to a sensory master class to explore one of the most aromatic cognacs, Courvoisier. Global Brand Ambassador Rebecca Asseline will lead

a tutored tasting of the portfolio using ‘Le Nez’ to bring this storied cognac to life. The session will feature the new Courvoisier range (VS, VSOP, XO)

7pm-9:30pm The Fitzgerald Presents Lawless Cinema

A private screening of Lawless - the true story of the infamous Bondurant Brothers: bootlegging siblings who made a run for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia.

A welcome drink from Hudson and free popcorn.

See The Fitzgerald’s Fa@ cebook page for details.

8- 9:30 The Ketel 1 Vodka Kitchen @ Epernay

Join four industry luminaries to guide you through the 325 history and heritage of ketel 1, and the art of mixing your own Martini and Bloody Mary. 

9-1am Pina Colada Party @ Mojo

In association with El Dorado Rum, MOJO will be presenting a fun-filled evening celebrating everyone’s favourite holiday tipple – think Coconut Shy’s, Pineapple Eating Contests and discounted Pina Coladas!!!

Wednesday 10th August

1-2:30pm Whiskey & Coffee - Baristas & Bartenders @ Tariff & Dale

Craft, Passion and the endless Pursuit of Flavour.

Presenting Woodford Reserve & Ancoats Coffee at Tariff&Dale as we talk through the perfect partnership of Coffee & Whiskey. The origins, the occasions, the technique, flavour matching and remixed classic coffee cocktails. 

3-5pm An Introduction to Japanese whisky Suntory @ Lost in Tokyo

An interactive session with Brand Ambassador Zoran Perec of Suntory. The history of Japanese whisky, tasting and ice carving.

Suntory whisky is the fusion of the delicate forces of Japanese nature combined with the passion and precision of the best Japanese artisans.

6.00-8.00pm Understanding sake with Akashi Tai @ Cottonopolis

With a spate of Japanese inspired bars and eateries there is little more on trend than Sake and sushi. Join Craig Macdonald from Akashi Tai Sake Brewery to understand the process and culture behind the traditional handcrafted approach to creating the finest Japanese sake.

5-8pm Gin o Clock Whitley Neill @ Tusk

Come down and enjoy a G&T and get 50% off a pizza- win, win.

6-8pm Get your Daq’s out! Cana Brava @ Keko Moku

A high energy cocktail competition with one aim in mind, to create the fastest daiquiri's. With a mixture of events ranging from experts to novices. Expect drinks to be flying out from all sides, with an insight into Cana Brava rum and cheap daiquiris all night long!

6:30-8:30pm* Gringo Bingo in association with el Jimador @ Blackdog NQ

This Mexican take on Bingo (commonly known as Lotteria) is played regularly in Mexico. Forget Bongos Bingo, it’s all about Gringo Bingo. Come along to indulge in some delicious tequila treats courtesy of el Jimador and see what prizes you could be walking home with. A selection of tequila cocktails will be on offer and our wonderful host Gabriel will teach people the proper way to play this authentic Mexican game.

6:30-8:00pm Jack Dusty and sandy bottoms Pussers @ Hold Fast

join UK Brand Admiral Peter Thornton as he takes you on an interactive tasting voyage through the history of this iconic Navy Rum.   

7-9pm Martini’s in the square Banyan @ Reyka

Join us over on Exchange Square as we look forward to our first year taking part in MLC! Beautiful Reyka Martini’s served up chilled to perfection in our sun trap terrace. Escape the city life with an Icelandic treasure.

7:30-9pm Jim Beam double Oak  @ Trof

An introduction to our new take on our Classic Kentucky Bourbon, Jim Beam Double Oak. Learn about the history of Jim Beam Bourbon and the opportunity to try some of the Jim Beam range and be introduced to Jim Beam Double Oak.

9-11pm Big Fat Quiz of the Week Meteor @ Crazy Pedro’s

Much like our beloved beer pong this will be one not to miss. Teams of 5, all in matching ‘uniform’. Great prizes and crazy prizes, including one for best dressed team. Test your booze knowledge with a never before seen picture round. 2 Hosts. 1 from Pedro’s vs 1 from Liars. Teams vote for their favourite host.

5-10pm Club Tropicana @ Liquor Store

Club tropicana make your drink for free! Come down and be taught in an interactive cocktail making session! 3 rum drinks to choose from for free! 

Thursday 11th August

4 -6pm El Dorado Cask Strength tasting @ Mojo

Invite only

5-11pm Acoustic Night Meteor @ Crazy Pedro’s

An evening of acoustic music and good drinks. Relax before the weekend with good tunes and good drinks. Try a special cocktail from Crazy Pedro’s and The Liars Club and vote for your preferred drink. 

6-8pm/ 8 -cl Hudson masterclass Bourbon & Blues Party @ Hudson/ Fitzgerald

From 8pm The Fitzgerald will host a whiskey-fuelled gig with American blues and rock n roll, followed by an after-party with Tobin Lochrie.

See The Fitzgerald’s Facebook page for details.

6pm- 9pm Langley’s in the Conservatory with Langley’s @ The Botanist

A relaxed evening of gin and cocktail making with Langleys Gin! Guest will be welcomed with a Langleys G&T, once they have found a spot in our amazing ‘Conservatory’ the Langley’s rep will visit each table offering a little info on the gin etc, this will be swiftly followed by a Botanist bartender who will be showing guest how to make their own gin cocktail (from MLC menu)!

7-10pm Woodford Reserve : 'The Art of the Old Fashioned' Dinner @ Tariff & Dale

Come join us at Tariff & Dale and taste through the history of one of the worlds most popular cocktails; We'll walk you through a gallery of drinks and whiskies paired with fantastic food to celebrate the Art of the Old Fashioned.

7-9pm Quack & Forth - A History of Vodka Cocktails Aylesbury @ Pen and Pencil 

A brief history of time, through the eyes of vodka. A journey through the development of the vodka based cocktail and where it fits in modern cocktail culture.

7pm - 10pm* ‘’The Ginnaisance’’ An evolution of the Gin Cocktail hosted by The American Bar at The Savoy and Portobello Road Gin @ El Gato Negro

El Gato Negro are delighted to host The American Bar at The Savoy & Portobello Road Gin on Thursday 11th August. An evening of education, these talented & internationally acclaimed bartenders will teach you tricks and feed you facts about all your favourite gin cocktails, whilst you sup some Manchester-themed libations inspired by the world famous Savoy Cocktail Book, plus some new drinks in the style of their current menu, which has received applause from cocktail experts all over the world. 

7pm-2am A night of American Gin & Swing @ Cane & Grain

A night of experimental and interactive Deaths Door cocktails and live American swing. Take a look behind the scenes at the Science and Industry ‘cocktail lab’ and join informal Deaths Door spirits masterclasses. Expect saxophones, lab coats and gin.

Friday 12th August

2-4pm Dancing with Daiquiri’s Bacardi @ Liquor Store

Dancin with daquiris, come dance the afternoon away, get a crash dance lesson whilst enjoying a daquiri of your choice. Something for both your hips and lips! 

6:30-8:30pm Introduction to Agave @ El Capo

Don Julio dedicated his life to perfecting the art of tequila making.

 From harvesting to developing fermentation and distillation techniques. Join the

Don Julio ambasador to sample the masterpieces of “The Don” accompanied be some

masterpieces from the El Capo kitchen.

7pm-9pm Gin Cocktails that changed the World with Tanqueray @ Red Door

As we enter a new age of Gin cocktails, join our Tanqueray Ambassador for a fascinating look back at the drinks that changed the way we enjoy the beautiful spirit. With a chance to create your own classic Gin cocktail and win a £50 Red Door gift card!

4pm-11pm Blackwell’s presents……Jamaican Me Hungry  @ Liars club

Liars Club and Blackwell’s rum are pairing up to throw the best Jamaican inspired BBQ party this side of the world! Caribbean Flavours, Reggae vibes and Rum punches. Bringing a little bit of Jamaican sunshine to Manchester

Saturday 13th August

3-7pm Gin Journey - Leon Dalloway - (ticketed event)

7pm-2am The Aviation all American Gin Party @ Gorilla

Fly in the face of tradition with Aviation Gin at Gorilla for an All American Gin Party!

Expect informal tastings & great American vibes…. Check in and fasten your seatbelts – this one’s going to take off!

6pm-8pm A Brockmans’s Gin-tervention, Gin tasting Desert pairing @ Allotment

Travel the world of Brockmans with us, from Italy all the way to china. Learn about Brockmans from the botanicals up whilst enjoying some delicious desserts prepared by our chef.

9-4am DJ BAR WARS LIARS VS PEDROS

Crazy Pedro’s VS The Liars Club! Pitting a DJ representing Crazy Pedro’s against a DJ representing The Liars Club in an epic sound clash. Witness a dance of between staff from each bar and end MLC with a bang.

Sunday 14th August

4pm- 5:30pm

'The Art of the Old Fashioned' Masterclass by Woodford Reserve

We have Nate Booker, Ambassador for Woodford Reserve with us to help you make your perfect Old Fashioned. 

MLC CLOSING PARTY @ HULA with Santa Teresa

T&Cs

You must be 18+ to purchase a wristband - ID may be required upon collection 

You must exchange your tickets for a wristband in advance of all events. Tickets will not be accepted as a form of entry. 

You must have a wristband to take part in any of the weeks events and to take advantage of discounted cocktails in all participating bars.