Seven hours is a long session for a cocktail event, which tells you the intended scale of it at the Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City. The organizers bill it as New York's iconic cocktail festival, and it lands in Queens rather than the usual Manhattan hotel ballroom. If you want to taste widely across an afternoon before committing to a bottle, this is the room to do it in.
What to expect
The session runs about seven hours at the Melrose Ballroom, from mid-afternoon into the evening. It is a ticketed expo, so you enter at a door rather than wandering in. Check the organizer's page for the current list of participating brands and bars, which was not published in full at the time of writing.
Good to know
- The Melrose Ballroom is at 36-08 33rd Street in Long Island City, close to the 36th Avenue subway station.
- Tickets are required and should be bought in advance.
- Eat before you go; a session this long needs a base.
- Bring valid photo identification for an event serving alcohol.
- Plan your ride home before you start tasting.
- It is an indoor venue, so weather is not a factor.
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Common questions
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, this is a ticketed expo. Buy through the organizer's page in advance.
Do I need ID?
Yes. Bring valid photo identification for an event serving alcohol.
How long does it run?
About seven hours, from mid-afternoon into the evening.
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