Today (1st October), Edinburgh Cocktail Week – Scotland’s biggest cocktail festival – has launched a ‘Sip & Support’ campaign to support Edinburgh’s hospitality sector and help protect jobs as bars face tighter trading and social restrictions because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘Sip & Support’ campaign, which runs between 1st October – 30th November, will champion what’s happening in bars and venues around the city, with the Edinburgh Cocktail Week social media channels and website becoming a beacon of bar information to inspire customers to visit bars and safely socialise with friends and family.

Over 60 bars across Edinburgh will take part in Sip & Support, each creating something special and delicious for customers to enjoy. Some bars will be running special drink promotions – some will even offer £4 cocktails! Others have partnered with brands to create exclusive Sip & Support cocktail menus, while others will host pop-ups and bar takeovers, open new outdoor spaces, offer takeaway and delivered cocktails, and serve cocktail themed afternoon teas.

Participating bars include House of Gods, Lady Libertine, Hawksmoor, The Lioness of Leith, Fingal, Raging Bull, Cold Town House, Tigerlily, the Rose Street Secret Garden, The Bon Vivant, Uno Mas, Harvey Nichols, Kin, Candy Bar, Malmaison, Nauticus, Tonic, Last Word Saloon and The Raeburn.

Details of what’s on offer at each bar during Sip & Support will be shared on Edinburgh Cocktail Week’s Facebook and Instagram channels, website and weekly newsletter. No wristband, ticket or voucher is needed to enjoy Sip & Support but reservations in advance are recommended to secure a table in bars.

Gary Anderson, Managing Director of Edinburgh Cocktail Week, said… ‘These are extremely challenging times for the hospitality industry and unfortunately we have already seen a number of bars in Edinburgh fall victim to the Coronavirus pandemic. We feel it is our duty to use our platform and voice to support our colleagues as best, and responsibly, as we can, and we hope our campaign and the support of our followers will help save businesses and jobs. With Sip & Support, we want to inform and inspire – inform about the safety measures bars have in place to keep people safe and provide a space to meet and socialise with their friends and loved ones; and inspire people to visit bars by letting them know what’s happening over the coming months so they can get out there and enjoy themselves safely while supporting local businesses. I’m personally excited to try the Glenmorangie ‘Delicious Adventure’ cocktails that will be running across 10 of Edinburgh’s most creative cocktail bars, promising flavour-first cocktails that go above and beyond. It’s great to see brands like this getting behind Edinburgh’s independent bars.’

Ash Bairstow, Managing Director of The Herringbone, added… ‘This is a great initiative from the guys behind Edinburgh Cocktail Week and we look forward to taking part! Herringbone guests have been loving drinking our cocktails again since we reopened in North Berwick and Edinburgh, and with Sip & Support, we look forward to welcoming new and additional customers. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to provide value for our guests and support the hospitality industry. Thanks ECW!’