Cocktails in the City festival celebrates tenth anniversary at Bedford Square Gardens

London’s Cocktails in the City festival will return this summer to celebrate its tenth anniversary with an expanded programme at Bedford Square Gardens in Bloomsbury. The event is scheduled to take place across two weekends – from 10^th to 12^th July and 7^th to 9^th August – and will feature contributions from bars across the capital, aiming to showcase the diversity and innovation of London’s cocktail scene while offering a range of live entertainment and interactive experiences.

The annual festival, which has attracted over 100,000 visitors since its inception, brings together UK bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts. This year’s edition will see Bedford Square Gardens transformed into an open-air venue where attendees can sample cocktails, participate in workshops and enjoy music and street food. According to organisers, the event is designed as “an exploration of the rich, diverse tapestry of the city’s cocktail culture in one beautiful alfresco garden – where the best of London’s cocktail scene meets global inspiration”.

A new feature for the 2025 anniversary edition is The Bartender’s Edit, described as an exclusive area curated by prominent industry figures. This section will offer a handpicked selection of cocktails from what organisers call “the city’s most innovative bars”. The intention, they say, is to provide “a true insider’s guide to London’s cocktail culture”.

Other highlights include a DJ-led silent disco, live music from a full band, cocktail masterclasses and ice carving workshops. There will also be garden party games, tasting rooms where revellers can meet spirits producers and sample rare drinks, and a variety of street food options from vendors such as Sticks and Sushi, Get the Greek and Officina 00.

Tickets for Cocktails in the City are priced at £22, which includes entry, a complimentary cocktail, access to live entertainment and participation in all festival zones. The event is open to both seasoned cocktail aficionados and those new to mixology, with organisers highlighting the opportunity for guests to “discover new trends, learn from industry leaders and experience unforgettable cocktails”.

Food Desk

Cocktails in the City is on from 10^th to 12^th July and from 7^th to 9^th August 2025. For further information or to book tickets, visit the festival’s website here.