Sip, Save, St Andrews Cocktail Week is Back

Between my weekly Shinty socials, and my friends’ many ‘splitting the G’ competitions, I face a perilous truth: I live in a world of beer drinkers. However, for ten glorious days between 20-29 March, St Andrews Cocktail Week means I must no longer hide myself away.

Now in its fourth year, St Andrews Cocktail Week has hit upon a winning formula. Purchase a wristband online to gain access to a week's worth of exclusive deals: cocktails priced from £5, two-for-one drinks, food discounts, and each participating venue's exclusive signature cocktails and mocktails.

I had the exclusive opportunity to visit a number of venues ahead of the event, each with their own unique offerings.

12pm – Dune

As Venue No. 1, Dune had the privilege and responsibility of serving as the first impression — and needless to say, they delivered. Their signature Apple Crisp comes in at an equally crisp fiver: a blend of tequila blanco, cinnamon, and lime that makes for a refreshing taste of the St Andrews spring.

1pm – T-Squared Social

While many venues opt for a zesty summer drink as their Cocktail Week signature, T-Squared have gone decidedly against the grain with the Paddy Cake. A blend of Guinness and Baileys — inspired by the Black Forest gâteau — the cocktail is infused with espresso for an extra kick — and caused quite a stir, with other patrons curiously enquiring after it across the bar. If you're looking for something less experimental, or happen to be the designated driver, the colourful Butterfly Pea Spritz is a refreshing non-alcoholic alternative.

2pm – The Adamson

The sunny interiors of the Adamson, filled with families dining out for Mother's Day, made for an ideal spot for a relaxed daytime cocktail. The Lady Dalton — gin, orange liqueur, lemon, and crème de pêche — seemed to transport me somewhere far more tropical than a rainy Scottish spring. One of the unexpected highlights was the succulent cornbread and salted truffle butter served alongside our drinks. What more could you ask for?

3pm – The Physician

I know – another cocktail! The centre of mixology in St Andrews, the Physician adds to its existing 20% student discount with even lower prices for Cocktail Week. The classic Physician cocktail drops to £7 for ten days, combining the sweet-and-sour tang of a mojito with the warmth of an Old Fashioned. Four further cocktails join the selection for the week, including my personal favourite: a rhubarb and ginger gin infused with lemon and homemade grenadine.

4pm – Hatch

By the time I reached Hatch, the rain had cleared and sun was pouring through the windows — the perfect setting for what turned out to be the most refreshing cocktail of the day. The Lillet Spritz, at just £5, delivers a double shot of Lillet with soda and grapefruit: a perfect companion to a weekend brunch.

5pm – Ham’s Hame

The home of hospitality. Tucked just a stone's throw from West Sands and the Scores, Hams Hame brings a warmth and conviviality that makes it the perfect venue for a longer, more relaxed stop on the Cocktail Week trail. Two signature cocktails really brought home the bacon: the Rosemary Grove, a twist on the classic G&T that strikes a fine balance between bitter and sweet, and the Tequila Sunset, a vivid, citrusy delight that paired beautifully with the excellent burgers that followed. Both cocktails are £6, and with food discounts available for wristband holders throughout the week, the convivial, polished surroundings of Hams Hame — and its picturesque location — make it well worth a longer visit.

6pm – Haar

“Haar, Haar, Haar,” I chuckled to myself as I made my way down Golf Place after a splendid cocktail-filled afternoon. The Michelin-recommended seafood restaurant had condensed the taste of the sea breeze into a single glass. The Smoked Agave Sour for £7, complemented by Brown Crab Choux Buns, are perfect for the fine food connoisseur, with a steep discount on the normal £16 cocktails. All I have to say is: Bravo!

St Andrews Cocktail Week offers something more than just a booze-filled adventure. It's a chance to support hospitality businesses during a quieter time of year and to shine a light on the incredible range of bars and venues the town has to offer.

Wristbands are available at standrewscocktailweek.co.uk, priced from £9.95 for advance tickets and £14.95 for final release. Groups of four or more can grab tickets for just £7.95 each — and students can claim 50% off using the code ‘thesaint’ at checkout.

Once you have your ticket, you can collect your physical wristband from Dune on North Street (80 North St, KY16 9AH) between 12pm and 8:30pm ahead of the event from 13-19 March. Simply show staff your ticket barcode, which will be scanned and exchanged for your wristband.

The real beauty of cocktails lies within the community — bring your friends, bring your family (as long as they’re over eighteen!), bring whoever you’d like to any one of these excellent venues for an inexpensive, delicious cocktail — or 30!

Photos: St Andrews Cocktail Week