What’s on this week

Scotch and cult comedy fans: rejoice!

Islay’s Bruichladdich distillery is hosting a “Netflix and Swill” event tonight (17 April), allowing people to watch Monty Python’s Life of Brian together through Netflix’s Party browser extension.

Once the Netflix Party browser has been downloaded, the distillery will send you a URL so you can join the party, where comments will be posted throughout.

And now, for something completely different…

Do you need an excuse to order a large quantity of Champagne?

London-based fizz retailer The Finest Bubble has been streaming live tastings every Friday evening since lockdown began. This week, the gang are joined by none other than Vitalie Taittinger, the new president of Champagne Taittinger, for a Q&A session alongside the tasting itself.

Tune in to the Finest Bubble’s Instagram like at 6:30pm GMT to hear pearls of wisdom from one of the most important women in French wine today.

Miss those intimate gigs at your local?

Low alcohol beer specialist Big Drop Brewing Co. has added a new event to its Virtual Pub Experiences. Every Sunday starting this week (19 April), Big Drop will host a special Living Room Pub Gig with a live band at its own “online pub” (Youtube channel, to you and me).

The first two artists confirmed for the line-up include The Dunwells and singer songwriter Allman Brown.

For those longing for a few cocktails and an ill-advised boogie on a Friday after work, staff at south London bar The French Corner is livestreaming a DJ set for everyone at home who is missing the weekend as much as they are.

This week, DJ Danandout will play a set from 8pm to 10pm, live from The Initiative Instagram and The French Corner Facebook page. ⁣

You can also order pre-made cocktails and snacks from £35.

In digital GIN-ovation (sorry), Humble Bartender is teaming up with Boë Gin on Facebook Live for a gin cocktail masterclass every Saturday at 7pm. No cocktail shaker? No problem. They’ll teach you how to improvise with everyday household items.

Longing for a bartender to make you a banging Old Fashioned? Try the next best thing this weekend as Wild Turkey Bourbon is working with The Experimental Group for a virtual tasting of three Wild Turkey bourbons – Wild Turkey 101, Rare Breed, and Longbranch (actor Matthew McConaughey’s whiskey label).

On Saturday at 5.30pm GMT, viewers will be invited to join an Instagram live tasting session with an Experimental Group bartender, Nicolas, who will lead a tutored tasting session where viewers can ask any questions.

For those who want to unwind at their own leisure, Armit Wines has launched a series of virtual tastings themed around Escapism and R&R, allowing wine lovers to learn during lockdown.

The first in the series of video tastings via Instagram saw Armit’s Brand Manager Anna Schena talk about Tuscan Rosso dei Notri from Tua Rita.

Armit’s team of experts will also be joined by winemakers live from around the world, starting this week with Chris Thomas from Dowie Doole, from the McLaren Vale, Australia, at 10am on Wednesday 15 April, and continuing later today with Michele Faro from Pietradolce in Sicily at 4pm on Friday 17 April.

Next Monday, bartenders around the world will be able to spend their time at home fine tuning some handy skills for when life goes back to some level of relative normality.

Spirits giant Bacardi recently launched its global campaign #RaiseYourSpirits, which pledged $3 million in financial aid to support the hospitality industry debilitated by the COVID-19 shutdowns.

As a continuation of this initiative, St-Germain and its ambassadors, a group of industry leading bartenders from across the country, are bringing together members of the hospitality industry to host a collection of virtual workshops that explore a variety of engaging and mindful activities.

Next week, things kick off with a hand lettering introductory class from hosted by bartender and artist Allie Coultas Brunne.