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From Chinese New Year celebrations to a month-long 10th birthday party: February might be the shortest month of the year, but it’s packed with amazing spirited events.
Even while the on-trade may be booming, you shouldn’t forget your home bar, and this month there will be a festival devoted to getting yours in tip-top form.
In the meanwhile, if Hennessy and hip hop are your ideal pairing, you must attend a rooftop brunch in south London.
Keep reading to learn about the 10 biggest events going down in February.
Lunar New Year at Smoke & Mirrors
What: Lunar New Year celebrations mixed with Chivas
Where: Singapore’s Smoke & Mirrors
Up to February 5, 2019.
Smoke & Mirrors in Singapore is serving up a variety of Chivas-infused drinks as you toast to a happy Lunar New Year.
Enjoy four auspicious drinks with the city skyline as your backdrop. The drinks are named Wealth, Luck, Prosperous, and Health and each has a unique flavour profile that includes traditional and symbolic components.
Every time you place an order from the Chivas cocktail menu, a fortune cookie will be revealed, revealing what the Year of the Rabbit has in store for you.
Enjoy the Fortune Flight, which features four Chivas cocktails, or the Chivas Flight, which features four neat pours of top Chivas expressions, to toast a successful start.
The Dead Rabbit turns 10
What: The “world’s most award-winning bar” turns ten
Where: New York City’s The Dead Rabbit
When: February 2–12
The Dead Rabbit is kicking off a year of celebrations with 10 days of energetic, musical, and playful educational events, demonstrating what it means to be the ultimate location for discovering the best of Ireland today.
Every cocktail purchased from the 10-year anniversary menu over the entire month of February will result in a US$1 donation to Aware, the leading mental health organisation in Northern Ireland. The traditional Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee, Spell Spoke, made with Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, hibiscus, lime leaf, ginger, and soda, and the Old Mule Skinner, a tropical take on the whisky sour made with Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whisky, strega, papaya, honey, and lime, are just a few of the standouts.
On February 8th, The Dead Rabbit will also hold a trade discussion with representatives from the beverage business called “The Next 10,” moderated by author and Flavair’s head of cocktails and spirits, Noah Rothbaum. Jack McGarry will have a conversation about the future of the bar business with award-winning mixologist, author, and bartender Lauren “LP” Paylor O’Brien, GN Chan, the founder of Double Chicken Please, Claire Warner, a member of the Tales of the Cocktail Board of Directors, and Amanda Gunderson, the founder of Another Round Another Rally.
Comedy Fridays at Aquavit
What: Laughter and Nordic beverages
Where: St James’ Market, Aquavit London
Between February 3 and February 17,
The Nordic-inspired restaurant Aquavit London is adding some humour to its Fridays with a brand-new lineup of belly-laugh inducing activities.
Beginning on Friday, February 3, visitors may savour a sumptuous three-course meal made by head chef Jonas Karlsson, followed by top-notch comedy from an exciting cast of special guests.
For example, you can anticipate dishes like herrings with sour cream and crushed Charlotte potatoes, venison crudo with blackberries, apple gel, and blue cheese, and Swedish meatballs with lingonberries, mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, and creamy mashed potato. The menu will vary depending on the event, though.
After you’ve finished eating, go to Aquavit London’s stunning Stockholm Room, where the comedy will begin at 9 p.m. Here, you can indulge in a variety of traditional and creative cocktails or try the location’s namesake in one of the bar’s many aquavit and tonic iterations.
Rooftop Hip Hop Brunch with Hennessy
What: A special rooftop breakfast with unlimited Hennessy drinks
Where: London’s Skylight Peckham
When: Beginning on February 4, every first Saturday
The Mot Hennessy pop-up bar at Skylight Peckham’s winter terrace was a hit, and this new rooftop brunch is giving the two brands’ relationship a 2023 edge.
The brunch will have a retro hip-hop soundtrack and combine the delectable brunch menu at Skylight with breath-taking views of the London skyline and exclusive Hennessy cocktails.
In addition to the traditional brunch favourites, Chef Karan has created an interesting new menu with some special Hennessy touches. A selection of delectable toppings, such as poached conference pears with silky vanilla mascarpone, fresh smoked salmon with poached eggs and dill, and chicken karaage with a sweet chilli pickle, are served alongside dishes like crisp Belgian waffles with Hennessy syrup.
One hour of select bottomless Hennessy cocktails (from 1-2pm) and 1 brunch item for £39.99.
Tales on Tour: Singapore
What will travel to New York is Atlas Bar
the city of New York
When: February 6 from 6 to 10 p.m.
The first of several pop-ups that make up Tales on Tour: Singapore has been announced by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) and the Singapore Tourism Board. The first pop-up will serve as a precursor to TOTC in Singapore in 2024 and will feature the renowned bar Atlas.
Expect to see Atlas bring its renowned bar programme to life in the United States at Forbes on Fifth, where it will recreate its custom gin tower and offer guided tastings led by Atlas’ head bartender, Lidiyanah “Yana” K. Special releases from event sponsors, such as Ford’s sloe gin, will also be available.
The occasion will also serve as the official start of the Spirited Awards nomination process.
Endo X Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Dinner
What: An unique 12-course omakase sake dinner
Where: White City, London, Endo at the Rotunda
Date: February 9,
Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute (NNSI) from Ishikawa, Japan will be hosted by Endo Kazutoshi of Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda in partnership with Tengu Sake for a one-time meal with specifically paired sakes not available in the UK.
NNSI, regarded as one of the most prestigious sake breweries in the world, will travel from Japan to produce an exclusive match to the Endo-designed 12-course omakase.
Expect to learn something new about the culture, history, and creativity of sake brewing, as well as about Mr. Noguchi Naohiko’s philosophy, Endo’s love of sake, and the place sake holds in Japanese cuisine.
The Vault Home Bar Festival
What: A one-of-a-kind festival dedicated to those looking to curate their home bar
Where: Jio Gardens, Mumbai, India
When: 25-26 February
This festival offers everything you need if you’re trying to create the ideal home bar. All bases will be covered with more than 2500 interested attendees anticipated, as well as more than 500 decision makers and trade professionals from the food and beverage industry.
Owners of popular brands are encouraged to co-host the festival with The Vault team and provide their company history, in-house knowledge, and handcrafted spirits. Craft spirits enthusiasts who participate in the festival’s varied experiences are expected to expand their at-home entertaining options.
“We at The Vault have been continually aiming to feel the pulse of fine spirits fans and connoisseurs,” stated Keshav Prakash, festival creator and main curator:
Kol Mezcaleria launches The Explorer Series
What: A collaboration between The Lost Explorer Mezcal and the world’s best agave-bars
Where: Kol Mezcaleria, London
When: 26 February
The award-winning The Lost Explorer Mezcal and several of the top agave-bars in the world have teamed up to create The Explorer Series, according to Santiago Lastra’s Kol Mezcaleria.
From February through October, there will be six events held on Sunday nights every other month, with one of the country’s top bars moving in to the Kol Mezcaleria to showcase its distinct love of Mexican agave spirits and a special menu.
The first Tequilaria in Athens, Barro Negro, which was established with the exclusive goal of introducing agave spirits to a new audience, takes over the show to start the series.
Three different agave expressions from The Lost Explorer Mezcal, Espadn, Tobalá, and Salmiana, will be used in six different cocktails each night.
In addition, every event will offer a unique experience as each guest bar introduces elements of its own atmosphere and culture to the Kol Mezcaleria, with nods to the bar’s music, design, and style of service.
