Top 10 Reasons to Attend Science of Cocktails on Feb. 4

Grant Sceney (Fairmont Pacific Rim) presented the Smoked Pineapple Martini at the Science of Cocktails preview event for a handful of special guests. Sceney was named the 2014 World-Class Canadian Bartender of the Year; he then went on to represent Canada in the Diageo World Class Finals against 46 of the world’s best bartenders and accomplished an impressive overall 4th place finish. Photo credit: Christopher Guy

Cocktail connoisseurs rejoice. On Thursday, February 4, 2016, Science World will transform into the largest mixology laboratory in town. There will be plenty of ridiculously cool gadgets to try and unusual yet delightful concoctions to drink. Forget the uptight and boring cocktail parties of yore. This is a high-octane experience that will usher meaning to the words “molecular mixology.” Because science.

Tarquin Melnyk (Bambudda) presented the Chocolate Rum Old Fashioned at the Science of Cocktails preview. He infused the rum with chocolate using a nitrous oxide chamber. Melnyk has a well-known love for innovative molecular cocktails, including his involvement with Ms. Betters Bitters, the company that released the world’s first vegan botanical foamer. Tarquin was named Bartender of the Year at the 2013 Alberta Cup. Photo credit: Christopher Guy.

Here are top 10 reasons to attend the inaugural Science of Cocktails:

1. The event is OPEN BAR, with 25 different bar stations serving concept cocktails especially crafted by award-winning bartenders. You can try each cocktail once or you can keep going back to your favourite one.

1. Also complementary and available all night are mouth-watering food pairings by Railtown Catering as well as decadent treats from Beta5 Chocolates.

1. Bartender Showdown: Vancouver’s top bartenders will be competing to win the evening’s Cocktail Competition, awarded by a panel of industry judges. Winner will receive a trophy made of a 3D printed martini glass designed for astronauts to use in space.

1. You will have a drink passport, which will guide you to the different beverage stations. If you fill out and submit your passport at the end of the night, you are eligible to win prizes (see #5 below). The drink passport also gives you the power to vote for your favourite cocktails; the winning bartender will be given The People’s Choice award.

1. Prizes and bragging rights to be won such as a Tesla Motors package, where the winner gets to drive a Tesla for an evening; a weekend stay at Fairmont Pacific Rim for 2 people plus breakfast at ORU (valued at $780); a SmartyPantz Group Escape Experience for 8 people; and more.

1. In true Science World fashion, you will have all kinds of stations to interact and tinker with, including a dry Ice and liquid nitrogen demonstration, a cocktail shaker machine made of car motor and sewing machine parts, and more.

1. You can get creative and a little nerdy at the Glow in the Dark Wine Glass Charms station where you can customize your own wine glass charms with glow-in-the-dark and UV beads.

1. Get up-close and personal with the Van de Graaff generator and watch your hair stand on end. You can even give your friends a bit of a zap.

1. DJ K-Tel will be spinning awesome tunes all night. Be prepared to throw-down on the dance floor.

1. And the best reason to go: Charity. All proceeds will benefit Science World’s Class Field Trip Program, which gives kids from underserved schools the opportunity to experience the magic of Science World for free.

Science of Cocktails is taking place on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 8 pm to 12 midnight at TELUS World of Science. To purchase tickets, visit scienceworld.ca/cocktails. Group tickets are available through 604.443.7500.