Beer festivals are a dime a dozen, but cocktail festivals are a rare breed. Finding a good cocktail festival is like finding that hidden bar or restaurant that you don’t really want to tell your friends about. We’re really bad at keeping secrets though, so here’s some of the best cocktail festivals to prepare for this year!
Tales of the Cocktail (New Orleans)
Tales of the Cocktail may be the single most well known cocktail event on the globe. Hosted in New Orleans, the industry descends on the city every year to showcase the latest and greatest in spirits and mixology, and there is plenty of booze to be had. It’s a can’t miss event for anyone with a passing interest in cocktails. This year the event runs from July 16th-21st.
Art of the Cocktail (Victoria, Canada)
Art of The Cocktail is one of the biggest cocktail parties on the West Coast of Canada! With over 40 exhibitors & 60 spirits being served, they bring the party to the heart of Victoria. This festival is generally held in October.
San Diego Spirits Festival
Now in its 11th year, the San Diego Spirits Festival is a massive party. The festival is an event that promotes cocktail culture and is the premiere West coast spirits festival held on the beautiful San Diego bay. With bartender competitions, tastings, seminars and parties, the festival offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for brands to be supported and gain recognition among San Diego’s cocktail and culinary community and beyond. This year the party is August 24, 25.
Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival (Kansas City)
The Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival is a multi-day educational and entertainment spectacular. It celebrates and highlight the talented bartenders & enthusiasts of the Midwest, where attendees can learn from the world-class people of the industry. The days include focused seminars by the best in the business, paired dinners, music performances and grand old good time. The event is generally hosted in September.
Apres Ski Cocktail Classic (Aspen)
The Après Ski Cocktail Classic is an annual slope-side celebration blending all things Après with Craft Spirits. Set in Aspen, the four-day event features the Après Tasting Experience, craft cocktails, seminars by award-winning mixologists and brand ambassadors, snow parties, pop-up bars, demonstrations, fireside chats, spirit-paired dinners, special on-mountain events, and the Great Après Ski Pub Crawl & Cocktail Competition. You can find the event this year running between March 14-19.
London Cocktail Week
London Cocktail Week is the original DrinkUp.London festival and this year marks it’s tenth anniversary, meaning they’ve organized ten full days of celebrations! The festival will get you trying special £6 cocktails in the best bars in London, as well as playing host to The Cocktail Village – a giant playground of cocktails in the heart of Brick Lane.
Singapore Cocktail Festival
Singapore’s Cocktail Festival is Asia’s largest celebration of cocktail event, bringing you world-class mixology experiences for a memorable nightlife with our bar tours, guest bartenders, drink makers & lovers from around the world. Held in May, they have a number of participating bars around the city as well as a central cocktail village similar to London Cocktail Week.
Ale/Sessions 