We've come around again to Negroni Week, the now international, annual celebration of that perfect cocktail that combines gin, vermouth, and Campari. Why does this cocktail need its own week, you ask? Well, this all started in 2013, partly via Imbibe Magazine, and there is a charitable component, with venues donating proceeds from drink specials to charitable causes. Last year, more than 3,500 venues participated and raised over $320,000, more than triple what was raised the year before. On Monday, June 6, Negroni Week kicks off again, with dozens of venues participating around the Bay Area and offering up unique twists on the cocktail, classic versions, and foods and sweets inspired by the ingredients of the Negroni.

Below, a few of those, in case you count yourself among the cocktail's many fans.

MONDAY, JUNE 6

Wise Sons Bagel is doing a Negroni-inspired bagel special all week. The Negroni bagel is an open-faced double poppy seed bagels topped with juniper cream cheese, Campari marmalade, and fresh fruit ($9).
1520 Fillmore Street

And also all week, Cafe Du Nord is doing a Negroni variation called Ants on a Log with Rutte Celery Gin, Campari, peanut-infused Cinzano vermouth, and garnished with a scotch-braised raisin.
2174 Market Street

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

Whitechapel, the gin joint to end all gin joints, is doing a special menu of Negronis and variations in their back bar, as well as a Campari Key lime pie with gin and vermouth sorbet for dessert. Proceeds benefit the SF-Marin Food Bank.
600 Polk Street at Turk, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

Holy Mountain, the cool Tiki-inspired bar tucked away on the mezzanine at Hawker Fare, is doing a "Negroni Goes Tropical" event featuring special Negroni variations and punches served in inventive vessels like coconuts, pineapples, and even an orange. One of those: Nora Furst’s Love, Lava, and Burning Desire (Campari, Appleton Estate Signature Blend, Navy Strength, Burnt Sweet Vermouth, Navy Strength Gin, Fresh Passionfruit Juice, and Lime) is served over crushed ice in a pineapple for two to share, and garnished with Campari tuile, a flaming raspberry cup of 151 rum, and whipped blue curaçao ‘clouds.’ Proceeds go to benefit La Cocina.
680 Valencia at 18th, upstairs

forgery-negroni-full.jpg

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

Forgery is doing a Negroni variation with Bols Genever that sounds pretty delicious. From bartender Scotty Holland, the V.O.C. Negroni has also got Carpano Antica, strawberry-infused Campari, and some Tio Pepe fino sherry in it, and it's being served all week.
1525 Mission Street at 11th

And over at Alta CA, they're doing a series of Negroni variations, including one with St. George Dry Rye gin, St. George Bruto Americano, and Cherry Vermouth. Those are on the menu all week as well.
1420 Market Street at Fell

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

Perbacco is celebrating Negroni Week with an awesome sounding Old Tom Cat Negroni (Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat American oak-aged gin, Campari, and Carpano Antica), as well some Negroni caramel corn, in which chef Staffan Terje infuses the caramel with Campari and sweet vermouth, and salts the popcorn with gin botanicals like licorice root, cardamom, and juniper. Proceeds go to benefit Meals on Wheels.
230 California Street

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the New Mission is doing a fun movie party Saturday afternoon with a screening of the classic Italian film La Dolce Vita, with their on-tap Negronis being served throughout as well as a Malted Chocolate Negroni and Frozen Tropical Negronis. There's also an after-party when the movie ends.
2550 Mission Street, 4 p.m., with after-party at 6 p.m.

See all the participating venues and their Negroni Week specials here.

The V.O.C. Negroni at Forgery.