Manhattan Cocktail Classic Event In New York City, At The New York City Public Library On Oct. 3 And Oct. 4

Don't miss the Manhattan Cocktail Classic preview

While NYC has long been the epicenter of American cocktail culture, we've never had a blowout drinks symposium to call our own.

That will change next spring with the debut of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, a multiday, talent-filled drinks festival the likes of which we've never seen.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. On Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4, you can get a taste of what's to come at a special two-day preview.

Some of the drinks industry's biggest names (including Dale DeGroff, Julie Reiner and Sasha Petraske; click here for a full schedule) will lead a series of classes and tastings at the Astor Center, where the event's founder, Lesley Townsend, was previously the director.

We're most excited about the weekend's marquee event, a glitzy, boozy Sunday night gala at the New York Public Library's grand Astor Hall. Some of the world's greatest bartenders will be mixing New York's most iconic hometown drinks, with jazz greats Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks providing the soundtrack for the appropriate activities (fancy attire and dancing–in addition to lots of drinking–will be encouraged).

Tickets for the gala ($100) and the seminars ($50 and up) go on sale Monday night and will be available for purchase here.