Weekender: Cocktail experience set to return

The Leeds Cocktail Experience is to make its return a week today at Aspire for a fun-fuelled evening of entertainment and ingenious cocktail creations.

Taking place at Aspire in the city centre on Friday 9 November, guests attending the evening will be able to go on a global cocktail tour that covers New York, Cuba, London, Paris and Japan to name just a few.

A total of 16 of the city’s finest bar brands will be under one roof for one night only; with each bar partnering up with a luxury liquor brand, ensuring the cocktails are top-shelf.

Hippest hangouts

The Domino Club has become one of the city’s best hangouts and has long been known to those in the know, but they will be in attendance to dazzle the crowds with their magical mixologists. They are fresh from being named as one of the best secret bars in the world by cocktail aficionado Simon Difford, one of the world’s leading authorities in the bar world.

The award-winning Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Bar will be on-hand to show party-goers the finer things in life. They will be hosting the VIP bar, which will be available exclusively to special guests who upgrade their ticket.

Chef extraordinaire and restauranteur Luke Downing will be bringing his best bartenders to the party. Manahatta and Neighbourhood will all be bringing their own unique take on NYC-style mixology to the table, whilst Revolución de Cuba will leave your heart in Havana oh-na-na, with their distinctive Cuban twist.

Bond-worthy concoction

Dirty Martini will be dropping a boozy and Bond-worthy concoction that’s guaranteed to seduce the taste buds, whilst another neighbouring bar, Banyan, will attend with a game-changing tipple that will leave you wanting more.

Other brands confirmed include Be At One, Oracle, The Botanist, Banyan, Below Stairs, Malmaison, Smokestack and Lost & Found. Once again, the party will take place over two floors and feature a range of entertainment, including the latest sounds from the city’s best local DJ’s.

The Leeds Cocktail Experience first stirred the city’s interest back in October 2016. Two sell-out parties followed, with each one getting bigger and better, reflecting the very best of Leeds nightlife scene. Organised by PR agencies, Pink Gorilla and Hairy Lemon, it has now become a hotly-anticipated staple in the Leeds’ social calendar.

Pink Gorilla Director Jordan Odu said: ‘’It’s hard to believe it’s almost two years since our first party, but then time really does fly when you’re having fun. The Leeds cocktail scene has evolved massively since 2016, and our fourth party will be the perfect place to experience the huge amount of homegrown talent and diversity we have access to.

‘’As ever, our event is as much about the people and the partying as it is having the very best bars, bartenders and cocktails under one roof, and so guests can expect a night they won’t forget in a hurry. We hope to see you at all the bars for a cocktail or three!’’

Tickets are available from Eventbrite now, with early bird offers available on a first come, first served basis.