Next Monday marks the start of the third annual San Francisco Cocktail Week, and this one is, naturally, going to be the best yet. As I said in a presentation at the CIA last week, the evolution of the cocktail has been the most significant trend in San Francisco gastronomy over the last few years. Our drinks scene here is second to none and right up there with London and New York as the most exciting and innovative in the world. Cocktail week exists not only to celebrate the local scene, but to further its development with classes, discussions, the sharing of ideas and recipes, and of course a few drinks.

SF bartenders have put a lot into this, and they're saltier than ever after some recent disses from the founders of Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. So expect things to be high intensity.

Classes and demonstrations are open to the public, usually costing only a small fee, and they include a couple of great cocktails as well as the dissemination of a lot of knowledge. The full event schedule is here.

Each day until the beginning of Cocktail Week, I'm going to select one event that should not be missed.

#5 : The Opening Gala and After Party

NHL players are famous for working on their playoff beards during the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Well, the opening gala is a good opportunity to start working on your SFCW hangover; it starts at Le Colonial with drinks and bites and ends up with the after party at 15 Romolo.

OPENING GALA
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009
6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
$25 per person
Le Colonial, 20 Cosmo Place, San Francisco 94109

Admission includes drink tickets good for two featured cocktails and snacks prepared by Le Colonial. Additional drink tickets will be available on the night of the event for $7.00 each.
All guests must be 21 & over, please. Tickets are available through Snag Tickets. Additional drink tickets can also be purchased in advance through the same link for $5.00 each.
For more specific information about the event, please contact info@sfcocktailweek.com. Immediately following the opening gala, head to 15 Romolo, 15 Romolo @ Broadway, for an after-party celebration. All attendees of the after-party must be 21 & over, please.