Looking for fun things to do on the weekend while we wait for winter to end and the good weather to get here? Well, there’s an event coming to London that will help you forget all about the cold weather. The Cocktail Show is coming to London for the second year in a row. This event is all about the art of mixology and learning what exactly goes into making a delicious drink that you’ll want to be sipping on all night. It features cocktails from all over the world with the finest spirits and liquors. You’ll get to enjoy delicious tapas and incredible entertainment throughout the night and learn from experts. Take a look at everything that The Cocktail Show has in store for you and plan to attend this incredible event.
INFO AT A GLANCE
Here is all of the need-to-know for you to mark down in your calendar.
Date: March 23rd, 2019
Time: 3PM – 11PM
Place: Budweiser Gardens
Address: 99 Dundas St, London, ON
You can get your tickets here.
HOW IT WORKS
Because The Cocktail Show is all about delicious cocktails, this is a 19+ only event. That way you can enjoy the night without worrying about needing to show your ID for each drink you get. But make sure that you bring your ID to the event to get in at the door.
Advanced tickets to the event are $15, but if you wait and buy your tickets at the door the day of the event (if available), the ticket price increases to $20. If you go with some friends or as a double date, a squad pack of four tickets is $50. You can buy your tickets here. Keep in mind that space is limited, so there is only a limited number of tickets available.
Food and beverage tokens can be purchased here. Each drink or food token is $2.50. Drinks and tapas cost anywhere from one to four tokens.
There will be a coat check available at the event.
If you’re planning on enjoying this event to the fullest extent without having to worry about how you’re getting home, there are a number of London Transit routes that are close by to the Budweiser Gardens: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 102, 104, 106, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 26. Calling a cab or taking an Uber is always a great choice as well. There is always the option to call designated driver services to safely get you and your car home.
ENTERTAINMENT
While the whole event might be all about the cocktails, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be left to your own devices for entertainment. The Cocktail Show is a great choice for a date night, or for going out with friends, as it’s full of delicious drinks, good grub, and enthralling entertainment.
Casino – Nothing compares to the excitement and anticipation that you feel in a Casino. The chance to win big and the camaraderie that happens with the people around you cannot be beat. Part of the entertainment offered at The Cocktail Show is a mini casino! Right in the middle of the action you’ll have the chance to see if Lady Luck is on your side that night in a fun and lively Casino, brought to you by INFUSED Couches and Benches. Enjoy betting and playing games. People playing in the Casino will have the chance to win gift cards and even drink tickets!
Dj Renzo – Get ready to dance the night away and as Dj Renzo brings the beats. He’ll be playing all of the hottest and best: vintage, top 40, and more! Dj Renzo will bring the party atmosphere and all you have to bring is your dancing shoes.
Mirror Me photo booth – It’s always fun getting a keepsake to take away from an event. The Cocktail Show will have a Mirror Me photo booth. It combines the fun of photo booths with the ability to see exactly how you’ll look in the photo, which eliminates the possibility of walking away with a bad picture of you. The machine has touch screen options to choose from and is very user friendly. You’ll have a backdrop behind you and the mirror in front of you, ensuring the perfect picture every time. The photos print out instantly, leaving you with a fun memory of the evening.
Flair bartenders – Have you ever watched the magic and showmanship that is flair bartending? It’s almost mesmerizing to behold. The Cocktail Show is getting flair bartenders from Toronto to entertain you throughout the night with their juggling, their tricks, and their impressive skills. If you’ve never heard of flair bartending and want to check out the group coming from Toronto, you can see their Instagram, which is full of amazing videos and tips on how to perform them yourself, here.
Seminars – There will be multiple seminars held throughout the night that you can attend. At Sex and Cocktails you’ll have the chance to learn from a sexologist who is ready and willing to answer any and all questions (literally, any and all questions) that people might have. Carlen, the Sexologist and Relationship Psychotherapist, will be set up in a luxurious booth. So get ready to have a few cocktails before you head over to loosen yourself up enough to ask her those questions you’ve always been too nervous to ask.
One of the other seminars will discuss all about what it means and what it takes to be a local and or craft distillery. Any questions you might have about what it means to be a craft distillery will be answered here. This seminar is one that cocktail enthusiasts who really care about what brands they’re putting in their drinks won’t want to miss!
Last but not least, there will be a seminar given by a makeup artist who will give all of the best tips and tricks about how to get that flawless look. We’ve all noticed those beauty gurus on Instagram who look like they just stepped out of a magazine with how perfect their makeup is. This makeup artist can let you in on some insider secrets and teach you some easy-to-follow tricks to try on your own.
The Seminars at King Booth
5:30 to 6:00 pm Carlen Costa Sexologist (Sex and Cocktails)
6:30 to 7:00 pm Pour ON Brands talking about craft and local distillery
7:30 to 8:00 pm Grey Goose Martini and Makeup artist
8:30 to 9:00 pm Carlen Costa Sexologist
DRINKS
Of course at a cocktail show, one of the main stars of the evening is the drinks. Whether you’re a fan of whiskeys, rum drinks, tequila drinks, gin drinks, vodka drinks, or anything in between all of that, you’re sure to find something to suit your preferences. Find your trusty favorites and learn about how to make them at home, or find a new favorite by getting the chance to try things you’ve never experienced before. You’ll also get the chance to learn from the experts! There are experts and brand ambassadors at the show that are excited to talk alcohol and cocktails! Learn about and discuss with experts drinks and spirits.
There is no wrong way to experience The Cocktail Show. So whether you’re venturing out and trying all new things, just trying to learn how to make the classics, or just wanting a night of yummy drinks and entertainment, this is the event for you.
While you’ll be enjoying delicious drinks all night long, part of the fun of The Cocktail Show is learning all about the art of mixology. Cocktail vendors will be holding mini seminars right at their booths as they explain all about the drinks that they are making and the ingredients that they’re making. Learn how to prepare these delicious drinks right in the comfort of your own home. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite cocktail that you can whip up at parties and impress your friends!
Here are all of the vendors of the evening:
Grey Goose Martini Bar
Bourbon and Gin Cocktail Bar (Aviation Gin / Extra Brooks Bourbon Whiskey) Beer Station
Mojito Lounge
RIO
Tropical Cocktails
Che Resto Bar
Dixon Distillery
Bull and Barrel Caesar Bar
Aguamiel Tequila
PMA (Jack Daniels and more)
Pour On Brands LTD
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Nickel 9 distillery
Noble Estates
Corby (Absolut Vodka, Havana Club Rum Jameson)
FOOD
If you’re enjoying delicious cocktails all night long, you’re going to want something tasty to pair with it. Pairing cocktails with tapas is an absolute no brainer, so you’ll have small, finger-food delights to munch on as you please. Three local London Ontario restaurants will be the food vendors at The Cocktail Show and will have delicious options available for you: Olive R Twists, Che Restobar, and Bull and Barrel. If you’ve never been to these restaurants before, you’re in luck because they’re incredibly delicious. After you try them out, you’ll be sure to back again and again. Here’s what they’re all about:
Olive R Twists
Olive R Twists is a local favorite in downtown London. It’s always a hotspot before Knights games and often has a hopping patio during the warm summer months. They always have 16 amazing beers on tap, and while you might go for the drinks, you stay for the delicious grub that they serve up. Their Oh Canada!! Poutine is the stuff of legends and their appetizer list is tantalizing enough that you might even want to make a meal out of just apps! While they have the classic burgers and sandwiches, you’ll also find food fare like ribs, steak, and even butter chicken on this incredible menu.
Che Restobar
Che Resto Bar serves tantalizingly delicious LAtin American dishes that are eclectic, modern, and unique. This classy and beautiful restaurant is a great spot for date night. They serve delicious cocktails and have both rum and tequila flights. When it comes to their eats, their menu changes regularly, but you always know that there will be an impressive list of tasty apps, unique and impressive desserts, and the kind of entrees that sound so good you can’t help but be indecisive about which one to pick.
Bull and Barrel
The Bull and Barrel is a great restaurant for food, drink, and entertainment! They always have something fun going on at the Bull and Barrel. They proudly host country music concerts and have fun events throughout the week. Their rooftop patio is a must in the summertime, and everyone has to try out riding the mechanical bull at least once. They have Distry Bingo, All You Can Eat Wings nights, the Bull Girls, comedy nights, Dueling Pianos, and even $2 beer nights. They serve up Southern Homestyle comfort foods and smoked meats that will have your mouth watering at the smell.
If you’re looking for a fun and unique date night, you’re looking for something to take your mind of winter while you wait for warmer weather, you’re looking for something new and exciting to do with friends, or you just really, really love cocktails, then mark The Cocktails Show in your calendar, buy your tickets, and get prepared for a delicious evening.
So mark off March 23, 2019 on your calendar, clear your schedule on the next day and make plans to have a delicious brunch (find the best brunch spots in London here), and get your friends together to enjoy a night of learning, a night of mixology, a night of entertainment, and a night of deliciousness. The Cocktail Show is sure to be a favorite event for all! Get your tickets here and your drink and food tokens here.