Today sees the start of Southend’s first ever Cocktail Week... so for goodness shake join in!

Joining the likes of London, Paris, Singapore, Edinburgh and Amsterdam, Southend will be showcasing the fantastic skills and diversity of its resident mixologists and the bars they work in.

The event is being organised by the Southend Business Improvement District group, who want to promote the brilliant beverage scene that Southend has become home to.

“We created Cocktail Week as an opportunity for businesses operating in our night-time economy to invite their customers to try something a little bit different,” said BID manager, Suzanne Gloyne.

“Already we’ve got a number of fantastic bars in diverse locations signed up, with each one creating its own signature cocktail for the week.

“To enhance the experience for cocktail lovers, we’re also creating a special, downloadable Cocktail Week Trail’ for them to follow, while posters will also be displayed by the establishments taking part.”

From the High Street to the seafront, Southend Cocktail Week will bring a chance to enjoy and sample some simply dazzling drinks – both alcoholic and completely alcohol free, as mocktails will be firmly on the menu too.

The participating venues’ signature drinks will be available to enjoy for just £5 each during the weeklong

event. These include a classic Cosmopolitan at the Grosvenor Casino, the‘ 1935 Aviation’ at the Holiday Inn by Southend Airport and the James Bond-themed, ‘Maverick Martini’, available exclusively at Genting Casino on the seafront.

The Pipe of Port, the Royal Hotel, Caddies and plenty more are also joining in. Cocktail Week will run until Sunday October 27. Log onto www.visitsouthend. co.uk for the full run down of what’s on and where.