Every Event To Add To Your iCal At This Year's East Imperial Gin Jubilee

Here at Viva, we're all for celebrating the finer things in life – especially when it comes to our 2019 tipple of choice, gin.

Which is why we’re salivating at the thought of the East Imperial Gin Jubilee returning to Auckland for the third time, bringing with it a series of immersive events to experience top shelf gin in all its various forms.

With 18 gin brands taking over an array of inner-city hotspots from October 25 to November 9, there’s no shortage of mixology workshops, talks and tastings to appeal to everyone from the cocktail connoisseur to the gin novice.

Discover which events we’re promptly adding to our iCal from this year’s East Imperial Gin Jubilee.

Method & Madness at Hi-SO
Kicking things off on October 25 from 4pm til late is the Method & Madness takeover at Hi-SO. This newly minted brand hails from Ireland, offering its micro-distilled gin to imbibers keen to soak in the sights across the Hauraki Gulf. Method & Madness recruits 16 eclectic botanicals in its signature blend, led by black lemon and Irish gorse flower. Expect specialty cocktails, each with their own measure of madness – including the brand's East Imperial Gin Jubilee, The Shrub-a-dub-dub which combines East Imperial Soda Water; black lemon, apple and roasted orange shrub; black lemon, burnt orange peel and cinnamon syrup; lemon wheel and rosemary garnish. Take your gin obsession to dizzying heights at Auckland's premier rooftop bar, as you listen to the soulful sounds of Kayden Webster and Izak Chads from 4-8pm, before Russell Hodgson takes over the decks from 8pm-1am.

Blush Gin at Huami
Meet the maestros behind Blush Gin as they take over one of SkyCity's hottest bars on Friday October 25 from 4-7pm. The Viva team love to support local businesses when we can, so consider this your opportunity to rub shoulders with the Kiwis who got their gin company off the ground. Blush Gin and Huami teamed up for this year's East Imperial Gin Jubilee on a cocktail called the Blushin Russian, a modern twist on the Moscow mule.

Beefeater 24 Gin presents After Dark Saturdays at Seven
This pop-up is blessing our taste-buds with not one but two bar takeovers at Seven, kicking off on Saturday October 26 and again the following weekend on Saturday November 2. From 9pm til late, gather up your crew to celebrate all things gin in a moody, red-themed room. If your calendar is already a little crammed on either of these nights, never fear – Seven also has Beefeater 24 Gin cocktails featuring in their happy hour line-up from 4-6pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

The Botanist at Long Bay Surf Club
Okay, Shore Siders, this one's for you. Enjoy a cheeky Sunday session this Labour Weekend from 12pm onwards on Sunday October 27 at the Long Bay Surf Club with a glass of The Botanist gin in hand. DJ's will keep the tunes coming long into the afternoon and evening, so park up and enjoy a cheeky tipple or two.

Crafter's Gin at Oyster And Chop
If you believe gin and oysters go hand in hand, then you won't want to miss Oyster and Chop's launch party with Crafter's Gin on Sunday October 27 from 3-6pm. Slurp up fresh Oysters in between sips of Crafter's Gin cocktails, and try the brand's cocktail entry in this year's East Imperial Gin Jubilee. Plus, Crafter's Gin ambassador Sebastian will be on hand to show you how to whip up the perfect gin cocktail, as he works alongside the Oyster and Chop team behind the bar.

Dancing Sands at Fantail & Turtle
Ease your way back into the working week at this unique Smales Farm bar. On Tuesday October 29, enjoy a beginners Hula dance class led by Ura Tabu Pacific Dance. After the dancing ends, try Dancing Sand's entry to this year's East Imperial Gin Jubilee – the Sacred Rubus. Tickets cost $40pp, and are available from Eventfinda.co.nz.

1919 Gin and Blush Gin at Regatta, then Franc's
You've heard of progressive dinners, but what about progressive gin tastings? On Wednesday October 30 from 5-6.30pm, head to Takapuna's Regatta then a short walk on to Franc's for the ultimate gin master class. Meet the makers from 1919 Gin and Blush Gin, and try your hand at creating the East Imperial Blush and 1919 Gin creations, which have been matched with suitable culinary delights.

Malfy Gin at The Churchill
Discover another new gin brand Thursday October 31 from 5-8pm, as Malfy Gin delivers a taste of the Amalfi Coast to The Churchill. Park up for an extended Happy Hour featuring Malfy Gin cocktails, and enjoy complementary grazing table chock-full of the finest Italian fare. Raise your glass (and your bruschetta) as you settle in for a night of sophisticated fun at one of Auckland's newest gin bars.

Lighthouse Gin at Madame George
This Karangahape Road stalwart is being taken over by mixologist Andrea Marseglia and Lighthouse Gin distiller Rachel Hall on Wednesday October 30 from 6-9pm, who will be serving up some of the top gin cocktails in town. Plus, Madame George has a $10 gin cocktail special available all week to keep those whistles sufficiently whetted.

Scapegrace Black at 1885
Enjoy a fright night like no other at Scapegrace Black's Halloween party at 1885 in Britomart.  The blacked-out themed party will appeal the darker side in all of us, so be sure to stay up to date with more info due to be shared on the Scapegrace Facebook page or website.

K'Road x Lighthouse Gin at Satya Chai Lounge
Get up close and personal with Lighthouse Gin Distiller Rachel Hall at this meet and greet event at Satya Chai Lounge on Thursday October 31 from 5pm.

The Botanist Gin at Parasol & Swing
Head along to Parasol & Swing on Friday November 1 from 4-6pm to sample one of Scotland's premier gins. Bar manager Gina Nicholls will be on hand to share what makes The Botanist's gin blend so premium, and why it teams well with East Imperial's range of sodas and tonics. Build your own G&T for $5 per glass and get amongst the interactive garnish station.

Love Bucket and Rutte Gin at Hallertau Brewery
Our favourite West Auckland brewery is teaming up with K Road favourite Lovebucket for a G&T takeover of the best kind. From midday on Sunday November 3, head to Hallertau Brewery and enjoy Lovebucket's East Imperial Gin Jubilee cocktail 'Dear Doris', crafted with Rutte Gin.

The Source Gin at Paris Butter
This is one exclusive event you don't want to miss, so you'll have to be quick to snap up one of the 20 spots available. On Wednesday November 6 from 5pm, Paris Butter is set to host a degustation gin pairing, which sees six courses paired with six gin-based cocktails. East Imperial Gin Jubilee head mixologist Mikey Ball will be on hand to teach keen imbibers how to craft their own bespoke gin cocktail using just four ingredients. Tickets cost $100pp.

Lighthouse Gin at Chapel Bar
Ponsonby institution Chapel Bar is set to host a bartending master class and food pairing party on Thursday November 7 from 7-8.30pm. Guests are invited to partake in gin and food matching, while Chris from Blush Gin and Robb from Chapel Bar will host a gin master class. The night will be polished off with Boysenberry Gin Affogato. Divine!

The Wreck at Akai Doa, Azabu, Ostro, Seven, Fukuko
Sit back and relax as chefs from the Savor Group whip up a gin-inspired dinner in front of your eyes on Thursday November 7. Featuring mixologists and staff from Auckland's top bars and restaurants, try a variety of East Imperial Gin Jubilee cocktails from all venues involved.

1919 Gin at Masu
This is a degustation of an entirely different kind. On Friday November 8 from 4pm til late, head to SkyCity's Masu for its East Imperial Gin Jubilee cocktail degustation, featuring a flight of cocktails using 1919 Gin. Akira from Masu will be serving up light refreshments, while master distiller from 1919 Gin Soren Crabb will guide imbibers through the four cocktails available in each flight. Tickets cost $36pp for four cocktails.

Dancing Sands Gin at The Lula Inn
The celebrations will hit their peak with the East Imperial Gin Jubilee finale event at The Lula Inn on Saturday November 9 from 4pm. With a DJ on the decks from 4-9pm, followed by a live band from 10pm til the wee hours, this is one event not to be missed. Plus the winner of this year's East Imperial Gin Jubilee will be announced at 9pm. Celebrations abound! Tickets cost $25pp which includes two drinks, and are available from Eventfinda.co.nz.