London Cocktail Week 2025: the insider plan

Dates: Thursday 9 October to Sunday 19 October 2025.

Wristband: £20 for the full festival.

Core pricing: £9 Signature Cocktails, £6 Tiny Cocktails, £6 alcohol‑free options, £12 Champagne cocktails.

Scale: 200+ participating bars across London.

What’s new in 2025

• Tiny Cocktails at £6 so you can try more without over‑committing.

• Home Grown focus on London talent and UK producers in the events schedule.

  
  

Essential stops and standout drinks

• Lyaness, South Bank – Ruby Spritz (£9) with Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, bitterless aperitif and sparkling rosé. One per person cap. Precision in an award‑winning room.

• Perception Bar, W London (Leicester Square) – Figment of Agave (£9) with Código 1530 blanco tequila, crème de figue, old fashioned syrup and bitters.

• Disrepute, Soho – Old News (£9) with Hennessy VS, saffron, cardamom and tonka. Also Champagne specials throughout LCW.

• Viajante87, Notting Hill – Aura Margarita (£9) with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, pear, lime, palo santo and white sage.

  
  

Smart routes by neighbourhood

South Bank loop: Lyaness → nearby hotel bars around Sea Containers → hop to Covent Garden for Oriole or The American Bar. Use Tiny Cocktails to sample more in one evening.

Soho cluster: Disrepute, Basement Sate and close‑by hotel bars for Champagne specials, all within a short walk.

West London line: Start at Viajante87 in Notting Hill, then head east to Marylebone or Mayfair for classic hotel bars that join the festival. Check the live bar guide on the day.

What to book

Alongside the bar crawl, LCW runs ticketed mini‑events: caviar pairings, brand masterclasses and guest shifts featuring global names. Look out for collaborations flagged in the festival programme and book early.

How to use the wristband

Buy online, plan by area, and filter for styles and serves in the official bar guide. It lists participating venues, signatures and Tiny or alcohol‑free options.

Practical tips

• Go early on mid‑week evenings for shorter waits.

• Alternate Tiny Cocktails and alcohol‑free options to try more and stay sharp.

• Plan in clusters. Two to three venues per night is realistic if you want to enjoy the rooms rather than sprint them.

• Wristband plus three signatures per night is the value sweet spot.

  
  

Quick facts

• Dates: 9–19 Oct 2025

• Wristband: £20

• Pricing: £9 Signature, £6 Tiny, £6 alcohol‑free, £12 Champagne

• Scale: 200+ bars citywide

  
  

Editor’s note

If your bar is running a special LCW serve or collaboration, email info@drinkedition.co.uk with your cocktail spec, price and booking link for inclusion in our rolling guide.