Man, London Pisco Week 2020, that was a trip. I remember it was late summer, things were just about opening up again after that whole mess, and everyone was looking for a reason to get out. I wasn’t really much into Pisco before, you know? Knew it was a grape brandy from South America, mostly because I’d seen it on menus. But then my buddy, Liam, he’s always on top of these things, sends me a text. “Pisco Week, mate! Loads of bars doing specials. Fancy checking it out?”
My first thought was, “Why not?” Anything to break the monotony. So I started digging around online, mostly just typing “London Pisco Week” into a search bar, seeing what popped up. Found a bunch of bars listed, some I knew, some totally new to me. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just a good vibe and a decent drink. Picked out a few spots that looked promising on Google Maps – mostly places that weren’t too far from where I usually hang out.
My first stop was this little place in Soho, can’t even remember the name now, but it had a real low-key feel. Walked in, a bit nervous because I wasn’t sure what to ask for. The bartender, super chill guy, saw me looking at the menu, probably confused. I just blurted out, “Pisco Sour, please!” Figured that was the safest bet. And man, it hit different. Frothy, tangy, a real kick. It wasn’t like anything I’d had before. That’s when I thought, okay, this Pisco thing might actually be good.
I didn’t just stick to one place, though. That was the whole point, right? To see what was out there. So the next evening, I dragged Liam along to a different spot, this one more of a cocktail bar setup near Shoreditch. This place was buzzing. They had a whole separate Pisco menu, which was awesome. I tried something they called a “Chilcano,” which was Pisco with ginger ale and lime. Super refreshing, especially since it was still kinda warm out. Liam tried another Pisco Sour, just to compare, and he said this one was even better than the last. We spent a good hour just people-watching and trying to figure out what other Pisco drinks were floating around the room.
Hitting the Pisco Trail Hard
By the middle of the week, I was properly invested. I started looking up more specific bars, not just the random ones. I heard about one place in Covent Garden that was known for its South American spirits. Walked in there, and the selection was insane. They had Pisco from different regions of Peru, and the bartender was actually telling me about the different grape varieties, which was cool. I tried a Pisco Negra, I think it was called? Stronger, really warm going down. That bartender was a pro, asked me what I usually liked, and then whipped up something bespoke, a bit fruity, a bit spicy, used Pisco as the base. That’s when I realized it wasn’t just about the Pisco Sour; there was a whole world of cocktails you could make with it.
I hit up another place near London Bridge towards the weekend. This one had a bit of a themed decor, felt like you were in a different country. They were doing a Pisco tasting flight, which was perfect for someone like me trying to learn. Got three small glasses, each a different Pisco. Sipped them slowly, trying to notice the differences. One was really smooth, another had a sort of earthy taste, and the third was kinda punchy. It was a good way to get a real feel for the spirit on its own, without all the mixers.
What I really loved was how welcoming everyone was. Bartenders were always happy to chat about Pisco, even when I asked what probably sounded like super dumb questions. They seemed genuinely excited to introduce people to it. I even ended up having a chat with a couple of other folks at one bar who were also doing the Pisco Week crawl. We swapped notes on which bars had the best atmosphere and which drinks were a must-try. It felt like a small community popping up for a week.
By the time Sunday rolled around, I felt like a Pisco expert, or at least a Pisco enthusiast. I’d gone from knowing nothing to having a few favorites. The Pisco Sour was still a winner, but I also really enjoyed those bespoke creations and the simple Chilcano. It wasn’t just about the drinks either; it was about getting out, seeing different parts of London, and just having a good time with friends, and meeting new people, even if it was just for a quick chat at the bar. It honestly made that weird 2020 a bit more bearable, a cool little escape for a week. Definitely glad Liam dragged me into it.
