You're Invited To A Virtual Cocktail Party At The Real-Life Downton Abbey

by Stephanie Maida · May 27, 2020

    If nary a video conference or Zoom happy hour has inspired in you an actual desire to get dressed up - like really dressed up, as if you were getting ready to go someplace where you might be judged for not being dressed up enough - we just might have found the virtual event to finally rouse you, and your closet creativity. As for your bar cart? We're sure that's all ready to go.

    What sort of occasion could do that, you may ask? Well, just an intimate cocktail party in the presence of over 65,000 of the Lord and Lady Carnarvon's closest friends from around the world at - where else? - their English country estate, Highclere Castle. Also known, by those of us who spend more time watching television than reading up on the properties of the peerage, as Downton Abbey. 

    "Cocktails at the Castle," the bi-weekly soiree hosted by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, invites guests into the stately rooms of the famous filming location for shakes and sips, preferably made with Highclere's very own gin. The last event saw more than 66,000 viewers tune in, making it the largest virtual bash on the internet. We mean, we'd expect nothing less from an event that's even loosely associated with the Crawleys (or Mr. Carson, for that matter).

    So don a frock Lady Mary would approve of, get your cocktail shaker ready, and tune into the fun going down this Friday, May 29th, at 4 pm EST on Instagram Live and Facebook Live. Pinkies up!

    [Photo via Downton Abbey, via @highclerecastlegin]

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    Downton Abbey• Lady Mary Crawley• Highclere Castle• Downton Abbey virtual cocktail party• Highclere Castle Gin