Victoria Cocktail Week is a vibrant celebration of local spirits culture that is set to take place in the city over the course of a week. From April 13-20, around 40 bars and pubs, and 20 distilleries and producers will participate in this exciting event. Victoria Cocktail Week is the brainchild of Zoe Harvey, the founder and executive director of the Victoria Cocktail Week Society. According to Harvey, the idea for the event was born out of a desire to support local businesses and celebrate the creativity and culture of the craft. “We really do have such a great community here, on both the hospitality side and the community that goes into the bars,” said Harvey. “It’s really important to support local anytime, but especially now, because we want these places to succeed. We want them to be around for a long, long time.”
Harvey wanted to organize a week-long event in a quieter time of the year to give participants more options and more time to celebrate local spirits culture. Unlike occasional one-off events that celebrate cocktail culture in Victoria, this event provides a unique opportunity for Victorians to explore the creativity and diversity of the craft. Throughout the week, each participating bar will feature a signature cocktail. A portion of the proceeds from each cocktail will go towards Good Night Out, a Vancouver- and Victoria-based organization that provides workshops on sexual violence prevention for restaurants, bars, festivals, and more, and an outreach team that patrols the city’s entertainment districts on busy nights. But that’s not all – the versatility and artistry of many types of drinks will also be on display. Beyond spirits, the event will feature vermouth, zero-proof cocktails, teas, and other craft seltzers. For example, a Forjado Tequila cocktail crawl will take participants on a journey through various bars, each offering a unique take on this spirit. Other events and workshops include a mocktail masterclass, a vermouth and tapas pairing, a whisky tasting, and an Old Town cocktail crawl. These events are designed to showcase the creativity and diversity of the craft, and provide participants with a unique and memorable experience. Harvey sees Victoria Cocktail Week as a love letter to the city and its community. “Victoria Cocktail Week is for both the community and for the hospitality and tourism industries,” she said. “It’s kind of like a love letter to the city and what we have here, because I love Victoria.”
Some of the participating distilleries and producers include:
* Old Town Spirits
* Forjado Tequila
* Harrison Family Vineyards
* Black Sheep Distillery
Here are some of the events and workshops that will take place during the week:
* Forjado Tequila cocktail crawl
* Mocktail masterclass
* Vermouth and tapas pairing
* Whisky tasting
* Old Town cocktail crawl
Throughout the week, participants can also expect to find special deals and discounts on drinks and merchandise.
Victoria Cocktail Week is the perfect opportunity for Victorians to come together and celebrate the creativity and culture of the craft. With its unique events and workshops, and its focus on supporting local businesses, this event is sure to be a hit. “We want these places to be around for a long, long time,” said Harvey. Victoria Cocktail Week is a celebration of the community, and a testament to the creativity and diversity of the craft. It’s a love letter to the city and its people, and it’s sure to be a memorable experience for all involved.