Portland Cocktail Week

Portland Cocktail Week kicks off today and runs through Sunday with a series of social gatherings and seminars for cocktail connoisseurs and bartenders from across the country. The event is interwoven with the Great American Distillers Festival taking place in Portland this weekend, which should make for a wonderful whirlwind of cocktail-fueled adventures throughout the city.

A few highlights are below. For the full list of events and to buy tickets to Portland Cocktail Week click here and then click on “Schedule”. Tickets to the Great American Distillers Festival are $10 for a one day pass or $16 for a two-day pass, including some starter drink tickets. Those can be purchased when you arrive at the Left Bank Annex. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Great American Distillers Festival Cocktail Competition. Details below.

Great American Distillers Festival $1,000 Cocktail Competition

Enjoy samples from 20 of the best bartenders from across the nation as they compete shaker-to-shaker in this annual cocktail competition. The $1,000 Great American Distillers Festival Cocktail Competition is sponsored by Tuthilltown Spirits, the makers of Hudson Bay whiskeys. Each bartender was paired with a spirit, which they have used to craft a unique cocktail recipe for the competition. To taste some of their creations, look for the competition tables on Saturday from 1 to 7 pm. On Sunday, the finalists will compete with products provided by Tuthilltown Spirits.

Portland Cocktail Week Spirited Social Events — Oct. 20-23

THURSDAY: Travel Pernod Ricard, A Welcome to Portland Cocktail Week
Portland Cocktail Week begins at Wilf’s — one of Portland’s most elegant destinations and iconic jazz clubs. With an atmosphere that conjures mid-century glamour, Wilf’s is the ideal backdrop for our most sophisticated gathering. To enjoy this party, all you’ll need is your most refined attire — we’ll bring the classic cocktails starring Pernod Ricard’s stellar portfolio. Thurs., Oct. 20, 8pm to midnight, Tickets.

FRIDAY: Yacht Rockin with Don Q Rum
Kenny Loggins once said, “This is it. The waiting is over.” As usual, Mr. Loggins could not be more right. You’ve waited long enough, and now the party you’ve been dreaming of is finally here. Our host, Don Q Rum, will whisk you away to a smoother time when the dulcet tones of Michael McDonald’s voice set the mood casually encouraging you to slip on your boat shoes and float past all of life’s troubles. With a drink in hand, get ready to sing along to your favorite 80s soft rock hits with your very own backing band. Fri., Oct. 21, 8pm to midnight, Tickets.

SATURDAY: Robots Versus Human Bartenders
Sure, robots can make cocktails, but can they do it better than their human counterparts? The Oregon Bartenders Guild is betting they can’t. To prove human dominance, they’ve invited their mechanical rivals to an all out battle on their home turf, the Jupiter Hotel. Cheer on your favorite bartenders (whether they be human or robot) with a cocktail and tasty bites. Sat., Oct. 22, 8pm to midnight, Tickets.

SUNDAY: Speed Rack at PDXCW
On the Sunday of Portland Cocktail Week, 16 women will compete head to head in this intense test of speed and accuracy, but only one will be crowned Miss Speed Rack Portland. Tickets get you complimentary punches, cocktails, beer and food from 1 to 4pm, as well as a chance to watch the best female bartenders the Northwest has to offer duke it out in this fun and unique competition. Sun., Oct. 23, 1 to 4pm, Tickets.