Bristol Cocktail Weekend has revealed its full programme for 2026, with four days of cocktails, food, tastings, masterclasses and live entertainment taking place across the city from 24 to 27 September.
Now in its fourth year, the event will give wristband holders access to exclusive signature cocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives at participating venues.
This year’s line-up includes Milk Thistle, Filthy XIII, The Granary Club, Golden Crane, Flight Club Bristol, No.1 Harbourside, Dirty Martini and 2025 Cocktail of the Year winner The Juke Box.
The Ivy Clifton Brasserie will make its Bristol Cocktail Weekend debut with a one-night pop-up at St George’s Bristol on Saturday 27 September, serving a signature cocktail created for the event.
Other newcomers include The Architect, The Board Walk, Browns Brasserie and Bar, JAMAYA, Last Chance Saloon, Renato’s, Slug & Lettuce Bristol City Centre, Colonnade and Ritorno Lounge.
Alongside the signature drinks, the four-day programme will include tastings, cocktail masterclasses, live music and food pairings.
Filthy XIII will host The Art of Rum & Chocolate with Diplomático, pairing four Venezuelan rums with single-origin dark chocolate, while Colonnade will stage An Evening With Ruby, combining Johnnie Walker whisky with chocolates from Bristol producer Ruby Hue.
Spirited will host New Orleans Blues and Whisky, featuring live music from The Slimline Shufflers, Buffalo Trace whisky tasting flights, New Orleans cocktails and gumbo.
St George’s Bristol will stage four nights of free late-night jazz curated by guitarist Adam Stokes, while Spirit of Bristol Master Distiller Pete Lumber will lead an intimate tasting at Milk Thistle.
Harvey Nichols will also host a rum cocktail masterclass giving participants the opportunity to make their own drinks.
Sunday’s programme will begin with Splash & Sip, bringing together Bristol Wild Swimmers and non-alcoholic drinks producer Anon for a morning swim in the Harbourside.
Flight Club will meanwhile host its Bullseye Challenge, giving guests three darts and the opportunity to win a Sharing Trophy Cocktail for four.
The weekend will conclude at Colonnade with The Signature Series, a six-course tasting menu with each dish paired with a cocktail.
Food offers and pairings will also be available across participating venues, including canapés and sharing boards at Colonnade, a twist on cheese and pineapple at The Granary Club inspired by Del Boy’s well-known bar fall, and boozy candy floss at Hotel du Vin with proceeds going to charity.
Further food offers will be available at venues including Filthy XIII, Renato’s, Browns, Bambalan, Harbour Kitchen & Bar and JAMAYA.
Bambalan will serve as the Spirit of Bristol Festival Hub, where visitors can collect wristbands and guides, receive a Spirit of Bristol sample and plan their route around participating venues.
Alex Nicholson-Evans, Founder and Director of Bristol Cocktail Weekend, said: “This year’s event is shaping up to be our most dazzling to date! This is the point where people can really start planning their Bristol Cocktail Weekend.
“We’ve got some brilliant venues involved and a programme packed with a huge variety of things to eat, drink, discover and experience.
“There’s no set route and no right way to do it. Just pick the bars you’ve always wanted to try, add in a few events, discover somewhere new and make the weekend your own.”
Sabrina Shutter, Senior Project Events Manager at Bristol BID, said: “Bristol Cocktail Weekend is a brilliant celebration of the talent, creativity and passion at the heart of Bristol’s hospitality scene, giving bartenders, venues and their teams a chance to showcase what they do best.
“With everything from tastings and cocktail masterclasses to live music, food pairings and distiller experiences, there are plenty of reasons for people to try something new and explore the city.
“For Bristol BID, supporting events like this is about creating opportunities for our hospitality businesses, bringing people into the city centre and celebrating the talented community that makes Bristol such a brilliant place to eat, drink and spend time.”
Bristol Cocktail Weekend is organised by Living For The Weekend and supported by Bristol Business Improvement District.
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