The owners of Bellingham’s very own Redlight and the Temple Bar, Rebecca Ogden and Chelsea Farmer, respectively, joined forces to co-organize the very first annual Bellingham Cocktail Week. Ten participating bars and restaurants around downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven will be holding 22 different events between Nov.30 and Dec. 6, including special cocktail nights, seminars, tastings, classes, parings and bartending contests, according to the event website. Ogden said what started as an idea tossed around between her and Farmer, about a year ago, quickly turned into a blossomed and full-blown event meant to celebrate and display Bellingham’s growing cocktail scene. “It was born of the realization that Bellingham cocktail culture is just beginning to hit a great stride and thrive in the downtown area and Fairhaven,” Farmer said. “We want to showcase that by giving it more visibility and have a great time about it.” From holiday cocktails ideas at Redlight, to scotch and cigars at Uisce’s or a night dedicated popular 50’s and 60’s cocktails at the Temple Bar, Farmer said there is an event for everyone’s interests. Ogden said the week-long event is also a chance for local industry professionals to come together to collaborate about their craft. There will be industry events held specifically for professionals to gain more knowledge about components of cocktails. “There is a certain amount of healthy competition between each bar,” she said. “We are also learning from each other and ultimately on the same team.” The entire event will end with Repeal Day Cocktail Crawl. All participating bars will be holding a special event on Dec. 5 as a way to celebrate the day prohibition ended and to thank those who participated in the first annual Bellingham Cocktail Week. Farmer and Ogden are excited to expand the event in the next coming year. “We look forward to getting more people involved with a little bit more time, ideas, and bigger events,” Ogden said. Next year, Farmer said she hopes to bring more educational opportunities to event. “Just keep in mind that this isn’t a competition between bars,” Farmer said. “This is purely meant for people to have fun and learn more about what’s in their glass.” Visit www.bellinghamcocktailweek.com for more information about Bellingham Cocktail Week.
