For one weekend only, Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester will transform the ancient Scriptorium into a medieval-themed cocktail bar on Friday and Saturday, June 18-19.

Guests will be transported back to the 13th Century with moody lighting, faux antler chandeliers and an eclectic cocktail menu brought to you by The Cocktail Service.

Themed around the fascinating history of the site, the Scriptorium is widely considered to be the oldest standing purpose-built library in Northern Europe and is of international historical importance.

The building was used by Dominican Friars Monks as a place to study, with carefully positioned windows for maximum light and a cool ground level for storing food.

Rarely open to the public, Blackfriars invites you to step inside its very own time capsule and sample a stunning menu of experimental and traditional cocktails. For those who prefer a simpler tipple, mocktails and a standard bar menu will also be available.

The ticket price of £10 per person includes a cocktail. Guests can choose from:

Komorebi - Chase gin, homemade rose syrup, lychee juice, lemon juice. Garnished with an edible flower and orange twist served in a coupe glass.⁠

Fujian Unfashioned - Buffalo trace bourbon, liquid smoke infused orange and vanilla lapsang souchong tea. Garnished with a dehydrated orange wheel and served to the table with a smoke cloche in a rocks glass. ⁠

Espresso Martini - Chase vodka, Mr Blacks coffee liqueur, sugar and espresso. Garnished with three coffee beans in a coupe glass. ⁠

Saint Fiacre - Pink gin, elderflower cordial, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, raspberries and soda water. Garnished with raspberries and a sprig of rosemary in a hi-ball glass.

All can be made non-alcoholic using non-alcoholic spirits and there will be two showstoppers available on the menu once you have stepped inside Scriptorium. ⁠

Hungry guests can get their foodie fix with Openside Pizza serving up fresh orders. Openside Pizza is a mobile pizza company run by Gloucester's No1 restaurant on Tripadvisor, Hooker & Eight and Gloucester Rugby's current captain Lewis Ludlow. Hand-stretched stone-baked pizza cooked on the flame to order!

The bar will be open in bookable two-hour sessions. Tables are available in groups of six, barrel tables with bar stools for two and two comfy lounge areas for five. Pre-booking essential.

Over-18s only.

Session Times:

• Friday 18th June: 18:30 - 20:30; 21:00 - 23:00
• Saturday 19th June: 13:30 - 15:30; 16:00 - 18:00; 18:30 - 20:30; 21:00 - 23:00

Book now at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/blackfriarspriory/530223