Leeds Rum Festival brings 16 tipples to enjoy in your own home as event goes virtual for 2020

For the last five years it has been at The Corn Exchange and despite there being the possibility that guidelines on social distancing may change before the September event, the organisers said they didn't feel comfortable creating a mass gathering with hundreds of people.

However, ticket holders need not be concerned as what organisers, the Leeds-based Rolling Social Events, have come up with is still going to be a treat for those looking to sample what they call "the world's most diverse spirit".

When COVID-19 hit, and lockdown began, Rolling Social Events adapted their business quickly and began hosting the ‘Sip Along’ – a social distance social bringing people together from their own sofas.

Co-founder Sam Fish said: "We’re so disappointed to not be at the Corn Exchange this year. The team there have always been so supportive of us and we really hope to be back, but even if the Government guidelines changed, we just don’t feel comfortable gathering en masse at this stage.

The company has hosted seven Sip Alongs so far and most have sold out. The ticket holder gets a generous sample pack delivered to their door, a printed guide and a link to join the event on Zoom. There they are greeted by the experts in their field and are taken through a tasting session.

Ms Fish said: “The Sip Alongs are great fun. We’ve hosted gin, vodka, rum, whiskies and wine. People even get dressed up as if they were going out. We’ve discovered a whole new market of people who rather like socialising at home – be it for childcare, financial restrictions, accessibility, or just not wanting to hit the town. It looks like the Sip Along is here to stay.”

Leeds Rum Festival is now set to get the same treatment with ticket holders getting 16 Rums to sample, a premade cocktail, mixers and seven speakers from the Rum industry.

“Whilst we’re sad to not hook up with our regulars, and slurp, sing and dance, we are really excited to still bring the Rum Festival to those who want it,” Sam concludes. “We are ready to bring a bit of the city centre into homes across the country.”

Leeds Rum Festival Goes Digital is on Saturday September 19 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are £33 including booking fee and are on sale at https://www.ticketarena.co.uk/events/Leeds-Rum-Fest-1

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