Norwich Cocktail Week
Norwich Cocktail Week
by Katie Thompson
What better way to showcase the city’s fantastic array of bars, pubs and restaurants than Norwich Cocktail Week? This is where our thriving drinks scene meets creative flair.
As a celebration of Norwich’s vibrant cocktail culture, you’ll no longer need an excuse to revisit old favourites (or make a dent in your ‘to try’ list)! Returning from Friday 25 September – Sunday 4 October, there are over 40 venues to try (that’s more than 10 more than last year!)– each with a signature cocktail and mocktail. From classic concoctions to innovative flavours, it’s time to get your friends together and shake, sip and share!
Keep reading to find out how it works and who’s involved!
Image: Copa Cubana. Credit: Norwich BID/ Nathan Neeve
Cheers to Norwich Cocktail Week! Image: J.Doe & Co. Credit: Norwich BID/ Nathan Neeve
How it Works
Think crisp and citrusy, rich and creamy, elegant and aromatic. There’s a cocktail or mocktail for everyone. Appreciate the artistry as each glass is transformed before you.
With over 40 venues participating across the city, all you have to do is download the FREE Norwich Cocktail Week app (find it on Google Play and the App Store)! This is where you’ll find every cocktail and mocktail on offer, events and new bespoke trails to complete.
Whenever you enter a venue, be sure to scan the Norwich Cocktail Week QR code displayed at the bar and you’ll see that venue ‘stamped’ on the relevant trail within the app. Once you’ve got every digital stamp on a particular trail, head to the final venue on that list to claim your very own (and very stylish, we might add) Norwich Cocktail Week t-shirt (subject to availability)!
At each venue, you’ll discover a signature cocktail (£7.50) and mocktail (£6), but this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rest of the menu and still get your stamp, too! Especially when the likes of The Last, The Tipsy Anchor and more have so many enticing choices.
Our top tip? Use the app’s map to plan your route based on your chosen cocktails!
And that’s not all. Throughout the week, be sure to check out special events like cocktail-making masterclasses and tasting sessions. Not only will there be expert mixologists on hand as you learn to shake (or stir) your own creation, you’ll be making long-lasting memories too.
Whether it’s a cocktail or mocktail, you can expect citrussy, sweet, coffee and bitter flavours. Image: Chambers Cocktail bar. Credit: Norwich BID/ Nathan Neeve
Which Venues Are Involved?
When we say Norwich Cocktail Week is a citywide adventure, we mean it!
From the buzzing streets of St Benedicts to the ever-popular Tombland, independent bars, stylish restaurants and familiar names are all taking part. Think cool and cosy spots aglow with fairy lights (hello, Dick’s Bar), stylish spaces like J.Doe & Co and lively cocktail bars including The Drawing Rooms and Chambers. If you’re looking for a spritz with a view head to Rooftop Gardens, or if you’re converting a beer lover, Beer Hatch and Sir Toby’s are the ones for you.
While you’re here, we suggest grabbing a bite to eat (whether you want a savoury light bite or sweet snack) or check out Norwich’s independent eateries along the way (you won’t regret it)!
Come back soon to discover the trails and their venues below! (Just remember to download the app for all the details in the palm of your hand– and to game-ify your adventure throughout the week.)
Create your own concoction at cocktail-making masterclasses. Image: The Last. Credit: Norwich BID/ Nathan Neeve
Events
And for those of us who want to get those dates in the diary already, here’s a small list of just some of the events you can experience! Interested in other Norwich Cocktail Week events? Download the app for the most up-to-date listings!
Harry’s Soul Station– Dark & Stormy, But Oh So Soulful
Friday 25 September
Adelaide Street
Kick off Norwich Cocktail Week at Harry’s Soul Station with a night of great food, drinks and live music! Coinciding with the launch of their Dark & Stormy Apple Pie cocktail (or Apple & Spiced Pumpkin Spritz mocktail), enjoy Archie Beck’s old-soul voice and acoustic takes of folk, blues and indie classics.
Cinema City – Cocktail Special Screening
Saturday 3 October
St Andrews Street
In honour of Norwich Cocktail Week, Cinema City is putting on a special showing of ’80s rom-com drama, Cocktail, in which Tom Cruise stars as Brian Flanagan, a talented New York City bartender takes a job at a bar in Jamaica and falls in love.
