No one expects to come out of Edinburgh Cocktail Week wielding inflatable guitars or having found Edinburgh’s best DJ. That is before having danced the night away with £5 frozen margaritas and toffee apple martinis in hand, though.
Upon arrival, the bustling atmosphere was infectious as the live band hit us with their rendition of the classic hit, ‘Teenage Dirtbag.‘ Taking over festival square, the Cocktail Week Village was full of a variety of stands, leaving customers inundated with options including Buck’s Bar, Mixtons, Sips Cantina Tequila Bar and Bevanda & Co. From piña coladas in pineapples to candyfloss cosmopolitans, to pumpkin spice espresso martinis, it is fair to say every bar outdid itself. The crowd was certainly in agreement, as dancing took over from as early as 8 pm.
Stepping outside for some fresh air, we were greeted not only by Storm Amy but also by the sensational aromas of Neapolitan pizza, Mexican tacos, and Sri Lankan curries. Whilst the options were limited, especially in terms of snacks to accompany the cocktails, what was on offer was truly scrumptious.
Going back in, we were transported from the glamour of cocktails to the comfort of pints in the old man’s classic pub: Seamus’s. This demonstrates clearly that Edinburgh Cocktail Week has something to offer for everyone. Including those looking for a perfect night out…
As the evening grew later (still pre 11 pm) the band transitioned to our new favourite Edinburgh DJ (seriously), DJ Pries. Remixing party classics including ABBA, Pitbull and Dizzee Rascal, the DJ kept the energy going until the end of the night. There was even demand for an encore, where ‘Jump Around’ sent the crowd crazy, with bartenders grooving along.
Edinburgh Cocktail Week celebrates the creativity of cocktails with £5 deals both inside the Cocktail Village and across popular bars in the city, such as Paradise Palms and Dropkicks. All that’s required is a wristband, which can be purchased online at the bargain price of £5 for students. This year it is running from Friday 3rd to Sunday 12th October, with the Cocktail Village open from 12 pm-11 pm (closing at 8 pm on Sundays).
A change from the typical Edinburgh night out, Edinburgh Cocktail Week is fun, fresh and vibrant, and definitely not one to miss out on.
Image by Alice Locker