The Lagos Cocktail Week 7th edition is before us! Thursday, October 7 will be the starting date. This news was announced during the Lagos Cocktail Week Conference which was held at The WheatBaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 5. In attendance were a variety of audience, especially professionals from the cocktail, brewing, and beverage industries both home (in Nigeria) and internationally; prominent guests include Chidimma Okoli – Events & Sponsorship Officer (Sterling Bank), Chiamaka Efulu – Brand Manager (Star Radler), Bayo Adeyemo – Brand Manager (Absolut Vodka), Berg Baboyan (Diageo Ambassador), One of the judges at this year’s edition – Ronke Bamgbade (Sommelier & Master Bartender Spronks and Prive). The theme for this year’s edition of the Lagos Cocktail Week will be: Diversification and Identifying New Opportunities as stated by the founder, Ms. Lara Rawa.
In addition to the recurring emphasis being placed on the importance of art and innovation, this year’s edition focuses on the role of networking and how instrumental the use of social media can be harnessed to drive growth. One of the sponsors at the 7th edition of the Lagos Cocktail Week is Diageo, whose brand ambassador, Berg Baboyan, noted in his speech the importance of the visibility and the opportunity Lagos Cocktail Week has been creating since its inception, highlighting why the brand has stuck with Lagos Cocktail Week from the get-go, “We support Lagos Cocktail Week every year because it’s a great opportunity to truly connect with stakeholders.” Mr Berg Baboyan voiced confidently while reassuring that Diageo, one of the largest spirits producing brand, will play its part in efficiently providing a masterclass as a symbol of its commitment towards the industry and stakeholders.
“The bar battle is the highlight of the Lagos Cocktail Week”, Ms. Lara Rawa noted in her keynote opening speech but unlike previous editions which featured bar battles of mixologists exclusively from Lagos-based bars and restaurants, this year’s edition has in its plans to include indie mixologists in respect of the theme which aids in promoting inclusivity, creating opportunities, serving as a platform for promotion and growth.
She also spoke extensively on the entertainment value the event will generate with The Cocktail Village a landmark (as it were) which is to be opened after the Lagos Cocktail Week Conference on Friday, October 15 by 4 PM and 12 noon on the next day. The Cocktail Village is experiential wherein guests will sample specially curated cocktails by the sponsors—Fayrouz, Star Radler, Desperados, Johnnie Walker, Gordon’s Moringa Gin, Mr Dowells, Jameson, Olmeca Tequila, Beefeater, and Absolut Vodka.
Conclusively, the judges and the bar battle sponsors mandated specific requirements and had high expectations for the events of the coming week. Sommelier & Master Bartender Spronks Prive’s Ms. Ronke Bamgbade noted that competitors participating in the Lagos Cocktail Week 7th edition need to embody the art of mixology, be authentic, creative and prioritize the art of flavour blending.
You can learn more on Lagos Cocktail Week, even booking a ticket to attend here.