5 booze-filled ways to get involved in The Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Filip Wolak
Filip Wolak

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic: It’s the premiere drinking event of the year, and it’s kicking off this weekend when bars and bartenders all over the city will channel Brian Flanagan (minus the flair, and the poems, and Elisabeth Shue) for five days of fan-fudging-tastic cocktailing.

Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Gabi Porter

Get VIP tickets to The Gala
This is the centerpiece event of the whole thing, and it goes down in the New York Public Library on 5th Ave. The VIP ticket gets you an extra hour in the event, which you’ll need to even make a dent in the 25,000 cocktails being served that night. Tickets here, tux required.

Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Filip Wolak

SWIG N' SWINE at Union Pool
Presented by The Bon Vivants and Imbibe Magazine on May 11th, this backyard event aims to get like-minded cocktail lovers in the same place with “pigs, punch, live music, games, and good friends”. You look like you could use a clickable link

Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Manhattan Cocktail Classic

The World's Largest Hand-Muddled Caipirinha
The penthouse at the Mondrian SoHo is honoring Brazil, the World Cup, and Cachaça by mixing up the world’s largest Brazilian beach drink in a “vessel that’s meant to evoke a soccer ball”. Annnnnd details

Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Manhattan Cocktail Classic

The Most Utterly Peculiar Garnish Challenge Invitational
Extra Fancy is playing host for a clutch of bartenders looking to show off their garnish skills on May 12th, in a competition for the “Golden Cucumber”, which we hope is a trophy. Attend here

Salvation Taco

Salvation Taco’s Rooftop Tequila Party
Skip the F out of work and bask in the glow of sunshine, tequila, deep-cut mezcal and tequila knowledge, and eats on the Midtown hotel’s stunning roof. What are you waiting for??

Andrew Zimmer is Thrillist's NY Editor, and he thinks a Blood & Sand is the cocktail with the coolest name. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.