RESIDENTS will be raising a glass once again as the annual Winchester Cocktail Week returns to the city.

Starting on Monday, February 5, various location around Winchester will host a programme of events and signature drinks to delight local cocktail lovers.

More than 20 venues have signed up to take part this year, with many offering signature cocktails and Fever-Tree mixed drinks for £4 to wristband holders.

Organised by bar Cabinet Rooms, based in Jewry Street, and now in its third year, the event will offer official wristbands for £15 which will give cocktail-lovers discounts on cocktails and entry to exclusive events and masterclasses across the city.

In addition to bars and restaurants, some of Winchester’s independent businesses are also taking part by offering wristband holders special deals throughout the week, from special offers at Toscanaccio on spirits being used throughout the festival, to cocktail-making equipment at Eclectic Hound. Rawlings Opticians will also offering a limited number of goodie bags including a cocktail glass and the opportunity to win a magnum of champagne.

Gary Whiter, from Cabinet Rooms, said: “We’re very excited for the start of Winchester’s third annual cocktail festival. We have two great local drinks companies sponsoring us this year – Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands and Winchester Distillery – and we’ve partnered up with Rooster Marketing once more to produce the souvenir guidebooks, so this really is a local affair!

“Tickets for special events are already selling fast so we’re encouraging people to get their wristbands and souvenir guidebooks from Cabinet Rooms as soon as possible to make the most of everything the week has to offer.

“There are some great drinks brands coming into the city during the week so it’s a great opportunity to try new places and discover new favourites.”

Following the success of the 1980s New Romantic Ball last year, the festival’s finale party will take place on Saturday, February 10 with the theme of ‘The Brit Pop Party’.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit Cabinet Rooms, in Jewry Street, or www.winchestercocktailweek.co.uk.

EVENTS

Tuesday

* Flying Flamingo Night, Bishop on the Bridge;

* A Lesson in Liqueurs, Greens Bar and Kitchen;

* Espresso Martini Masterclass, No.5 Bridge Street;

* The Manhattan Project, Piquant;

* Pusser’s Rum Workshop, The Corner House.

Wednesday

* Rum Masterclass, Greens Bar and Kitchen;

* Fizz and Food with Hattingley Valley Wines, No.5 Bridge Street;

* Drambuie Masterclass, St James Tavern;

* HMS Corner House featuring the Spitfire Sisters, the Corner House;

* Welcome to the Dive Bar, William Walker;

* Never Been to University Challenge, The Chesil Rectory.

Thursday

* Comedy and Cocktails, Guildhall;

* Espresso Martini Masterclass, No.5 Bridge Street;

* HMS Corner House featuring the Spitfire Sisters, the Corner House;

* Reyka Experience, The Mucky Duck.

Friday

* Vivere il Vermouth, Toscanaccio.

Saturday

* The Brit Pop Party, Guildhall;

* Bottomless Bloody Mary Weekend Brunch, St James Tavern.

Sunday

* Bottomless Bloody Mary Weekend Brunch, St James Tavern.

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

Bishop on the Bridge, Cabinet Rooms, Chococo, Chesil Rectory, Dinghams, Eclectic Hound, Greens Bar & Kitchen, Guildhall Winchester, Hotel du Vin and Bistro, Koh Noi, Manow Thai, No.5 Bridge Street, Piquant, St James Tavern, The Corner House, The Green Man, The King Alfred, The Mucky Duck, The Old Vine, Toscanaccio, William Walker, Rawlings Opticians.