96 Hour Party People

For most of us a weekend lasts two days. Not for the people behind Birmingham Cocktail Weekend who, quite rightly, have concluded that cocktails deserve a four-day-long celebration. And while we can't guarantee any bank holidays whatsoever across the July 11 to 14 glass-clinking festival, we can guarantee extremely good value slurps. A £10 wristband  unlocks access to off-menu cocktails in 50 of Brum's best drink dens and, at £4 a throw, you can afford to sample a fair few. Maybe not all 50, mom, you're too old for that. If you want to track us down then you'll find us in the Whisky Club slurping on this little number (above) while telling the publican our troubles as she wipes down the bar top with a towel. It's a Highland Park French Martini consisting of Highland Park Scotch, Chambord and cranberry, topped with pineapple and raspberry foam. There's also a full schedule of masterclasses and tastings, like the History of American Cocktails night at Buffalo & Rye (free) and a stupendous sounding Japanese Tea Ceremony at cherry blossom-bedecked Vanguard (£7.50). More