Key Points
- Hackney-based cocktail bar Equal Parts partners with East London Liquor Company to launch The Guest Shift, a quarterly takeover series.
- The series began with Manchester cocktail bar Stray and will feature the UK’s top bartenders for one-night-only events each quarter.
- Events focus on showcasing cocktails using East London Liquor Company spirits, promoting collaboration and celebrating excellence across UK bars.
- Alex Wolpert, founder of East London Liquor Company, emphasises championing the best bartending talent and building community spirit.
- Equal Parts’ general manager Adam Montgomerie highlights the authenticity of the initiative, focusing on genuine collaboration over brand promotion.
- The Guest Shift aims to create energy, fresh perspectives, and opportunities for networking and celebrating quality cocktails and music.
What is The Guest Shift in East London and who launched it?
As reported by Jessica Mason of The Drinks Business, Hackney based cocktail bar Equal Parts has partnered with East London Liquor Company to launch a quarterly takeover series called The Guest Shift. The initiative started this week featuring Manchester’s cocktail bar Stray and will host some of the UK’s best bartending talent for one-night-only events every quarter. The series allows guests of Equal Parts to enjoy cocktails sourced from across the country, all made using East London Liquor Company spirits.
What is the aim behind The Guest Shift series?
Alex Wolpert, founder of East London Liquor Company, shared with The Drinks Business that the concept behind The Guest Shift is to champion bar excellence existing outside London, which he felt had been overlooked. Wolpert said,
“We wanted to find a way to bring world class bars together and celebrate them on our home turf. That’s what it’s all about.”
He emphasised the series as a celebration not only of drinks but of music and networking, creating a community where bartenders can share knowledge about what works and what doesn’t in the industry.
How does The Guest Shift promote community among bartenders?
Wolpert reflected on his days as a bartender, noting that initiatives like The Guest Shift were rare then. He observed that post-pandemic, there is a strong desire among bartenders to collaborate and build a community. Equal Parts general manager, Adam Montgomerie, added that often these types of events are just about brands footing the bill, but this series is different—it’s about collaboration to make something great for the bar and its local East London clientele. Montgomerie highlighted the community spirit at the core of the series, insisting this is about genuine teamwork and shared success.
What can cocktail lovers expect from The Guest Shift events?
Each event in the Guest Shift series is jointly run by Equal Parts, East London Liquor Company, and the visiting guest bar. Cocktail lovers are encouraged to attend the takeovers to experience great drinks alongside vibrant music and fresh ideas. Wolpert reiterated the series as a celebration of neighbourhood and collaboration, describing it as “unforgettable nights out” featuring “great drinks, big energy, and fresh perspectives.” This series offers attendees the rare chance to taste cocktails from some of the UK’s best bars, enriched by East London Liquor Company’s spirits.
How is East London positioned in the UK cocktail scene?
East London, particularly Hackney, has become a magnet for mixology and bartending talent. The collaboration between Equal Parts and East London Liquor Company reflects the area’s growing reputation as a hub for innovative cocktail culture. The Guest Shift series further cements this status by bringing together top talent from across the UK and showcasing it on East London’s vibrant stage, contributing to the borough’s dynamic food and drink scene.
The Guest Shift quarterly takeover series is a bold new collaboration that not only highlights the excellence of UK bartenders beyond London but fosters genuine community and collaboration in the East London cocktail scene. With the backing of East London Liquor Company and Equal Parts bar, this initiative promises cocktail lovers unique nights filled with creativity, quality drinks, music, and vibrant social interaction. The series exemplifies East London’s ambition to lead in the UK’s mixology landscape by celebrating both local and national talent.
