The Esquire Townhouse is nearly upon us. In partnership with Breitling, we’ll be taking over 10-11 Carlton House Terrace from 11-14 October for a weekend packed with exclusive conversations, masterclasses, supper clubs, fitness sessions, and how-to panels galore.
We’d obviously recommend going to as many of our exclusive events as you can, however, if you’ve always fancied yourself a bit of a gourmand, we’ve included a detailed breakdown of all the varied ways you can sate your appetite (and thirst) in our company. And hell, you might even be able to make a half-decent martini by the end of it.
Thursday
6:00pm – 7:30pm: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Whiskey Tasting & Masterclass
“The humble wooden barrel gives a whiskey over half its flavour and thus should be celebrated accordingly”.Join Jack Daniel’s UK Brand Ambassador, Cam Dawson for an introduction to the Single Barrel whiskies from America’s oldest registered distillery. The evening’s journey will take you from tree to barrel, grain to whiskey and from bottle to cocktail where you’ll sample two unique categories of American Whiskies; Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey and Single Barrel Rye. Discover the unique flavour profiles given to the whiskies by not only their grain recipes but their one of a kind barrel. To finish, you’ll be invited to try your hand at mixing one of the world’s most famous whiskey cocktails in the ‘Sazerac Masterclass’.
6.30pm – 7.30pm: Cocktail Masterclass – The Modern Life of Plants
Will Meredith, award-winning senior bartender at Dandelyan will introduce the bar’s latest cocktail menu that showcases and champions the best parts of our food systems whilst ensuring deliciousness remains the priority.
8.30pm – 10pm: Autumn Internationals Dinner with England Rugby legend Simon Shaw MBE and friends
In celebration this year’s Autumn Internationals, M Restaurants and Esquire have teamed up for a spectacular dinner hosted by the legendary former England rugby player Simon Shaw MBE and some of his equally gregarious friends. You’ll be feasting on an inspired menu that takes you on a culinary journey through the home nations produced by Sunday Brunch & MasterChef Star and Executive Head Chef Of M Restaurants, Mike Reid. If the excellent company and incredible menu weren’t enough, you’ll be glad to hear that in addition, each of the four courses will be paired with outstanding wines that both complement and enhance the dishes.
Friday
6:30pm – 7:30pm: Make the perfect Martini with Salvatore Calabrese
Discover the art of Martini making with The Donovan Bar and Salvatore Calabrese, who has made his world-renowned ‘My Martini’ for everyone from film stars, to presidents and royalty. ‘The Maestro’ himself will teach you how to make the perfect Martini, super cool and super dry, plus variations of the classic including Ian Fleming’s Vesper Martini and Salvatore’s Breakfast Martini.
6:30pm – 7:30pm: Experience the Spirit of the winemaker
Go on a journey with Chapel Down, England’s leading winemaker as they guide you from their wines to spirits in a tasting masterclass, whilst taking you behind the scenes of the process a winemaker uses to create a range of spirits that are so closely linked to their heritage and expertise.
8:30pm – 10pm: Foraging Supper Club with Native
Native founders Ivan Tisdell-Downs and Imogen Davis host a foraging-focused supper club and will be bringing their passion for wild produce and seasonal cooking to Esquire Townhouse. Having spent time in the kitchens at River Cottage in Devon and the renowned Blue Hill Farm in New York, Ivan’s cooking is influenced by the innovative cooking with natural, foraged and seasonal produce, while Imogen, a hunter-gatherer at heart, spent weekends foraging in the Northamptonshire countryside.
8:30pm - 10pm: Neil Rankin’s Townhouse Barbecue
We’re very excited to be hosting a special supperclub from one of London’s most exciting chefs - Neil Rankin from Temper. Barbecue expert Rankin will be bringing his signature whole animal barbecue concept to the Esquire Townhouse, along with his experimental use of bold flavours, which draw on global influences from around the world. Neil's menu focuses on a whole lamb, cooked with 10 types of chilli, 15 different spices, stock and lime juice. Served in its own cooking broth with accompaniments and tortillas. Neil will join you on the night for what promises to be one of Townhouse’s liveliest and most flavour-packed supperclubs yet.
Saturday
3:30pm – 4:30pm: Wine Tasting from Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
This informative and entertaining masterclass from one of London’s top sommeliers is a must for anyone wanting to understand the basic principles of tasting and drinking wine. Ruben Desport, Head Sommelier for Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, will cover the topics of serving, tasting and navigating a wine list. Now in its third year at Townhouse, this is always one of our most popular classes of the weekend, so sign up now while you can.
5:30pm – 7:00pm: Cocktail Masterclass with GENUINE Liquorette
We’re giving you the chance to BYOB – be your own bartender, that is. Learn all the must-know tips and tricks of the trade from one of GENUINE Liquorette’s acclaimed bartenders in this hands-on cocktail making (& drinking) class. You will work in pairs to mix, shake and stir a range of cocktails behind your very own bartending station. At the end of the class, we’ll snap your photo, while you rock our Master Class blazer. The Polaroid will be posted on the wall of our new Fitzrovia site, letting everyone know you can be “On Duty”, mixing up drinks for you and your friends, behind our bar, whenever you damn-well feel like it.
Sunday
1:30pm to 2:30pm: Tapas Masterclass with Barrafina
Join Barrafina’s Executive Chef, Angel Zapata Martin as he demonstrates how to create a classic tapas trio.
