Drink up: Portland Cocktail Week Spilling Over With Events

In a seriously fortuitous coincidence, it's not only cocktail week in Eater land, it's also cocktail week in Portland -- an annual industry event that pulls in top bartenders from around the country to teach, or learn, during a week-long series of classes (and parties).  Though most of the events are for bar industry insiders with a festival pass, all that spirit-focused talent means there are plenty of spill-over events for the rest of us.

• Guest bartenders at Multnomah Whiskey Library, 2-4 p.m.: Beginning on Tuesday Oct. 23, MWL is opening its doors early to welcome a series of guest bartenders. First up are Brandyn Tepper of L.A.'s Hinoki & The Bird and Mary Bartlett of L.A.'s Honeycut. Thursday Oct. 23 it's Brooke Arthur from House Spirits Distillery and Sean Hoard of Teardrop and Commissary. On Friday, it's Éva Pelczer of Honeycut and Daniel Warrilow of Olmeca Altos tequila.

• Thursday Oct. 23 -- High West Quick-Draw Shootout, 3-6 p.m., Renata (626 SE Main Street):
  The Bon Vivants , the team behind the award-winning Trick Dog in San Francisco, have organized a wild west shootout in the under-construction Renata restaurant space. A bracket of 64 shooters (first-come, first-serve signup) will compete for a $500 cash prize. High West Whiskey drinks and food will be available for all attendees, whether you're shooting or not.

• Thursday Oct. 23 -- The Bacardi Bar Challenge, 6-8 p.m. at the Left Bank Annex: Four teams of 10 bartenders will compete to build the ultimate bar all in one day. From pricing out pour costs and developing a marketing plan to designing cocktail lists and backbars, the team will use the resources at their disposal to bring their dream bar concept to life, earning additional funding throughout the challenge based on pitches they can make to investors. Cost: $20 at the door.

• Thursday Oct. 23 -- United States Bartender's Guild Showcase, 8-11 p.m. at the Jupiter Hotel: One member from each of the 50-plus participating USBG chapters will represent his or her region with a signature cocktail, and will design the bar to match. Cost: $20 at the door.