Cocktail week brings Leeds businesses together
“Drink better not more” was the first piece of advice organiser Nick Fox gave me, as Leeds’ third cocktail week looms.
TheBusinessDesk.com spoke to the man bringing big name brands together with local Leeds bars.
Mr Fox has been the architect of a week of drinks that would rival London’s (in)famous Cocktail Week.
Under the most excellent title of “Gin Instructor” of the Portobello gin brand, owned and operated by the Leelex group, (behind the massive success that is Pintura, as well as Cielo Blanco and Jake’s Bar) Mr Fox was able to launch the event three years ago.
Starting in 2013 and using personal cash to get the event going, Leeds Loves Cocktails now involves around 40 city bars, doubling the number involved from their inaugural event.
It is fast becoming part of the cultural scene along with Grapeful, Leeds’ first wine festival and the Leeds Indie Food festival, bringing city-wide businesses together to collaborate on
Nick, who has lived in Leeds for 15 years, said “It’s a way of giving back to the city that gave me so much.
“I loved the concept of London Cocktail Week and egged on by my good friend and managing partner of Scotch&Limon, Fabrice Pierre Michel Limon, suggested I give it a go.”
“The aim is to educate consumers about spirits. Leeds has gone from having a wild nightlife to becoming a bit more subtle in the way it drinks. Bigger brands aren’t necessarily the tastier brands.”
“We also wanted people to recognise the skill and professionalism that goes into bartending, and that bartenders can also become brand ambassadors for really original and artisan spirit-makers.”
“Leeds is still a party city so we’ll have two nights, a launch and a closing party, and the rest will be spread across the city, with master classes and seminars all week.
Over 7 days, the event, sponsored by Ketel One Vodka, will see Jake’s Bar, Manahatta, Almost Famous, Cielo Blanco, Pintura, Buca di Pizza and Sky Lounge among many others team up with brands such as Absolut, Campari, Hennessey, Jack Daniels, Grey Goose, Belvedere and of course Portobello Road gin to host masterclasses, tasting events and create cocktail blends.
Leeds Loves Cocktails will be run over the week from 1-7 June, with wristbands available for entry and half price cocktails from the event website and Trinity Leeds.
