The 8th edition of Lagos Cocktail Week (LCW), West Africa’s largest and most anticipated cocktail event, showcased and celebrated the fantastic individuals and organizations “Behind the Bars, Drinks, and Brands.”
The 9-day event, which began on October 14th with an exhilarating Mastercard-sponsored Bar-Hop activity in which cocktail lovers enjoyed unique African-infused signature cocktail creations across top bars in Lagos, concluded with a two-day seminar and grand finale at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace, Victoria Island, from Thursday, October 20th to Friday, October 21st.
Guest speakers and facilitators at the Mastercard-sponsored seminar and masterclass sessions provided SME founders and executives with valuable knowledge and resources to ensure business success and scalability. Dr. Olawale Anifowoshe, Georgie Barnard, Lola Pedro, Kevin Conroy, Bolatito Elizabeth Okolie, and Bayo Ijasan, amongst others, were facilitators.
The Cocktail Village was a two-night event that featured complimentary cocktails from partner brands such as Absolut Vodka, Ballentine’s, Martell, Olmeca Tequila, Nestle Water, Beefeater Gin, Fayrouz, Desperadoes, Star Radler, Johnnie Walker, Singleton, Captain Morgan & Gordon’s, Whispering Angel, Terrazas, Volcan, Campari, and others.
Networking, music, games, and the most anticipated activity, the Bar Battle, which took place at the grand finale on Friday, were also enjoyed by attendees. Notably, several female bartenders participated in the bar battle activities this year, which was incredible given that Nigeria’s bartending industry is predominately male. Slow Lagos, Noir Lagos, and 355 Lagos were the three restaurants that received cash awards from Mastercard for their inventive cocktails. The sponsoring drink companies also offered cash prizes to the winners of each bar battle competition.
Celebrities and influencers such as Toolz, Daniel Etim-Effiong, Diane Russet, Alex Unusual, Noble Igwe, Beverly Osu, Denola Grey, Anto Lecky, Mimi Onalaja, Uriel Oputa, and others were present in addition to the event’s diverse guests.
Since its inception in 2014, Lagos Cocktail Week has established itself as one of West Africa’s most significant celebrations of the art of mixology and the cocktail culture in Nigeria. This is done through events, seminars and training.
