spirits - WKTV Journal

This year’s Cocktail Week Grand Rapids runs from Nov. 9-20, when local bars, distilleries and restaurants showcase West Michigan’s craft beverage culture. For $25 or less, you can enjoy two craft cocktails and a shared plate at any participating restaurant or distillery. It’s the perfect time to grab a cocktail, take a tour, taste something new—and sip local.

Sponsored by Valentine Distilling Company, the event overlaps with Grand Rapid’s annual Wine, Beer and Food Festival, which runs from Nov. 17-19 and draws craft beverage enthusiasts from all over the country. This year they’re unveiling an expanded spirits area in honor of Cocktail Week GR. Tickets can be purchased for one night of the event or at a discounted rate if you plan to attend all weekend long (it may take that long to hit every booth).

Another event overlapping with Cocktail Week is the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s newest fashion exhibit, Fashionably Buzzed, which will be at the GRAM until January 15th. GRAM has invited 10 neighboring mixologists to design cocktails inspired by Iris van Herpen’s fashion collections, and museum-goers and members will receive a discount when they grab a drink after touring the exhibit.

If you want to enjoy cocktail week free of any distractions, head to the source of the spirits. Long Road Distillers on the west side of GR offers hospitable tours and a close look at what goes into crafting the main ingredient of cocktails — liquor. Gray Skies Distillery opened just over a year ago on Ottawa Ave. and offers a collection of spirits crafted in Grand Rapids. New Holland’s newest location, The Knickerbocker, is doing a lot more distilling, as well as Atwater Brewing Company’s new location (both on Bridge St.). Stop by to see their operations and appreciate some of the newest buildings in town.

No matter what sounds fun on a night out in Grand Rapids this fall, remember that Cocktail Week GR is happening Nov. 9-20. Keep an eye out for the menu releases from all participating restaurants and bars on November 2.

Call 616-459-8287 for more information and to get tickets.

Sip local! Join the fun as Michigan’s creative beverage capital celebrates the art of the craft cocktail.

The first-ever Cocktail Week GR toasts Michigan craft spirits from Nov. 11-22 with participating local restaurants offering two Michigan cocktails and a shared-plate appetizer for $25 or less. Also available are menu items paired with Michigan-distilled spirits.

“Cocktail culture has exploded right alongside beer enthusiasm here in Grand Rapids,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “Our area’s leading bartenders are using locally made artisanal spirits to enhance classic drinks and invent new ones. We are excited to celebrate this enthusiasm with the inaugural Cocktail Week GR.”

Get into the spirits (see what happened there?) with:

Pair and Share. Get two Michigan cocktails plus a shared-plate appetizer for $25 or less at participating bars and restaurants.

Daring Duos Dinners. Dine at local eateries pairing handcrafted distilled spirits with scrumptious local dishes.

Intoxicating Extras. Developed in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild, stay tuned for a full schedule of cocktail events.

Developed in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild, Experience Grand Rapids Cocktail Week GR coincides with additional celebrations of spirits at the annual Wine, Beer and Food Festival, taking place at DeVos Place Convention Center, November 19-22.

Cocktail Week GR events and happenings are updated regularly here. Participating restaurants and menus will be posted on November 4th with continued updates through Cocktail Week.