The first Detroit Cocktail Classic will celebrate the culture and craft of the cocktail on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at The Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. This gala celebration will feature a dozen of Detroit’s most celebrated drinking establishments, spirits and brands serving up signature craft cocktails. Participating establishments include: The Oakland, Two James Spirits, Michael Symon's Roast, USBG­ Greater Detroit, Craftwork, Firebird Tavern, Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company, Rock City Eatery, Republic, and Joe Muer Seafood. Each establishment is paired with a top shelf spirit to concoct a signature drink for the occasion that will be served at their unique “Libation Station” inside the Garden Theater. Bartenders will use only the highest quality and freshest ingredients to serve up proper cocktails. Attendees will taste their way around the event, interacting and engaging with representatives from each establishment and spirit purveyor. Detroit’s unchallenged heirs to the funk throne, Will Sessions, will provide live entertainment throughout the night. Since their inception, this 8-piece band has quickly evolved into a solid core of musicians adept at shifting effortlessly between rare funk, hip hop, jazz­ fusion and soul music. DJ Bertram Cooper will spin a combination of retro and new lounge tracks between sets. Advance tickets are $40 and available online at http://detroitcocktail.com. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the event for $50. Each attendee will receive 15 beverage samples with admission. The celebration carries over to the next day with The Hangover Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 25th at Public House in Ferndale from 11 a.m. to ­2 p.m. Bailout Productions will be serving up Bloody Mary’s and Handcrafted Bathtub Gin to go along with the exclusive brunch offerings from Public House. The Detroit Cocktail Classic is produced by Liquid Events, Pulp Detroit and Bailout Productions. For more info, visit: http://detroitcocktail.com