Inaugural Aberdeen Cocktail Week hailed as a 'massive success'

Bars across the city launched special menus with unique drinks for the event

Author: Finlay JackPublished 25th Oct 2022

The first Aberdeen Cocktail Week (ACW) has been praised, with a local bar director saying it was a "massive success".

It was launched in July, following in the footsteps of similar events in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The event has provided a timely boost for some local venues after the pandemic and ahead of a worrying winter for many.

"I would categorise the event as massive success", hailed Stuart McPhee, Director of Siberia Bar and Hotel.

"It was successful in stimulating midweek, daytime footfall, which is something that we've certainly been lacking in recent months.

"It was definitely marked that there was people out and about, sampling menus and collecting wristbands.

"We sold over 300 cocktails from that menu alone, for the days that the festival was running.

"I think that it's definitely set out to achieve what it wanted to achieve in that inaugural year, and it's probably not been without its challenges for the organisers."

A regular fixture on the calendar

McPhee hopes that it'll return next year given its success.

"Hopefully we can build on the success of it for next year and get it as a firm week in the diary that we can all look forward to.

"It's definitely been successful thing for Edinburgh where it's only ran for nine years or so (eight) and its now the largest cocktail festival in Europe.

"There's definitely some longevity there."

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