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There are so many things Bristol does well, but one thing it does really well is cocktails.

Not only are there so many amazing options when it comes to places to drink them, but there is a select group of people making sure the city also knows how to have fun with them.

And fun will be the main thing on the menu when Bristol Cocktail Week returns for 2017 – fun, and great cocktails.

Bristol Cocktail Week, now in its seventh year, is a series of events designed to highlight Bristol’s amazing drinks scene, while bringing together some of the city’s best independent bars.

This year’s programme, organised by Ben Alcock of Her Majestys Secret Service, Gareth Aldridge freelance designer and bartender and Danny Walker of Psychopomp Micro Distillery, will feature 15 amazing events from the decadent, to the downright wild.

Think Absinthe-fuelled life drawing, a secret gin garden party, a tequila and taco fiesta, and Whiskey party with the best 360 view of the city.

There are 24 bars across the city taking part in Bristol Cocktail Week 2017, and all of them will soon be home to the official Bristol Cocktail Week Game.

Designed especially for this year’s event, there will be a hard copy of the game in each bar, and thousands of print out versions available to play with an accompanying app.

The game take you on a trip around Bristol’s best bars and restaurants, with a few challenges and tests thrown in. What starts off as a simple roll of the dice gets competitive quickly (trust us, we’ve tried it) and will be a great ice breaker for your evening cocktails.

When is Bristol Cocktail Week 2017?

This year’s even will run from Monday September 25 to Saturday October 1.

What’s On?

Monday

This years festivities kick start on Monday with the Bristol Cocktail Cup, now in its seventh year this cocktail competition is a fiercely contested battle between 16 of the best bartenders from across the city.

Tuesday

Tuesday sees the start of this year’s consumer events with three great activities spread across the city. The first ever Bristol Cocktail Week Pub Quiz will take place at The Green Man pub in Kingsdown.

Down in the city at Noche Negra there will be an Absinthe and life drawing class, guests will channel their inner Toulouse-Lautrec sipping absinthe and Perrier Jouet champagne whilst drawing life models under the watchful eye of a resident artist.

If art isn't your bag then head up to the Clifton Observatory for "Ardbeg - Unleash The Beast" and get taken on a flavour journey across the isle of Islay whilst taking in spectacular 360 views of Bristol.

Wednesday

Wednesday is all about flavour, starting with an in depth guide to making cocktail for your next BBQ, garden party or picnic with "Good Things To Drink Outside" at HMSS.

Also on an outside vibe Wednesday sees the first ever wine cocktail event with #comesailaway with Cloudy Bay. The Pumphouse will be playing host to an evening of cocktails, canapes and wines from the iconic New Zealand winery.

If wine is not your thing then head to Small Bar on King Street for an evening of whisky, beer and cocktail pairing with Compass Box and Left Handed Giant.

Thursday

Thursday is a secret! Our first secret is "The Secret Hendricks Gin Experience", guests will be picked up in the city and whisked away to a secret location to learn about the history of gin in literature with a truly unique cocktail tasting and dinner before being dropped back into the city in time for bed.

To continue with the secrets Bristol Cocktail Week will be hosting the exclusive launch party for a new range of cocktail syrups made right here in Bristol, but this one is still under wraps.

To finish off the secrets this time we will be revealing the secret to making the perfect martini, and not just the perfect martini for anyone, this is the martini tailored just for you.

Friday

Friday is time to party, and what says party more than champagne? So celebrate Friday in style at The Gold Bar with canapés and champagne cocktails with some of champagnes biggest names including Moet & Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Ruinart and Dom Perignon.

Champagne isn't the only way to party, if you want something a little wilder then head on down to "Gypsies, Gin, Rogues & Thieves" at The Milk Thistle for an night of performance, costumes and cocktails inspired by the Bohemian Revolution and the new wave of freedom and frivolity that came with the turn of the century.

Saturday

Steam will play host to the Bristol Cocktail Week Tequila & Taco fiesta which promises to be one of the highlights this year.

And for something a little more West Country, the team at Psychopomp will be working The Bristol Cheese Monger to present "The Ultimate Cocktail & Cheese Pairing". The team have travelled around Somerset to meet some of the wests best cheese makers and get an inside look at the process to help in the creation of three cocktails designed to pair perfectly with three delicious cheeses.

Bars involved in Bristol Cocktail Week 2017

HMSS

The Milk Thistle

Red Light

Chance & Counters

Flipside Cocktail Club

Psychopomp Micro-Distillery

Pasta Loco

Steam

Prince St Social

Manos

Hyde & Co

Be At One

Le Poivrot

Cargo Cantina

Bravas

To The Moon

Pata Negra

Bakers & Co

Pieminister

The Gold Bar

Box E

The Pumphouse

The Green Man

Small Bar