Everything You Need To Know About Arizona Cocktail Weekend Feb. 19-21
by Downtown Phoenix Inc.
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A “cheers” at Cocktail Carnival 2020 in February. (Photo: Arizona Cocktail Weekend)
The state’s longest-running cocktail event returns for its tenth year — and is bigger, better and boozier than ever. After hosting a scaled back aperitif-themed event in fall 2021, this marks the highly-anticipated return of a full, in-person Arizona Cocktail Weekend experience (with safety precautions in place, of course).
Featuring pop-up versions of more than 40 of the world’s best bars, and a literal circus of a cocktail party, the three-day event rides into town over President’s Day Weekend — February 19-21.
This year, organizers are pulling out all the stops with a chance to experience Top Bars from around the globe, a spectacular Cocktail Carnival celebration, and The Last Slinger Standing bartending competition. There will also be exclusive tastings, expert-led seminars, and can’t-miss cocktail events at bars across Downtown Phoenix.
Here’s the schedule:
Samples and entertainment are included in tickets to Cocktail Carnival. This is photo from February 2020 at Walter Where?House. (Photo: Arizona Cocktail Weekend)
Returning to the Walter Where?House at 702 N. 21st Avenue, the carnival is a whimsical circus-like affair focused on Arizona-based spirits and creative cocktails, in addition to some of the biggest and best liquor brands in the world. Housed inside a revitalized 1940s paper factory, Cocktail Carnival blends cocktail innovation, an immersive light and sound display, art, music and circus performers — all into one party. Beats for the evening provided by Christian Martin out of Chicago and Los Angeles-based Lubelski.
The Croft is a historic warehouse turned hip event venue, and is the setting for Top Bars. This is photo from February 2020. (Photo: Arizona Cocktail Weekend)
All the world’s best bars are coming to Downtown Phoenix for this annual tasting event, showcasing pop-up versions of cocktail lounges from around the state, country and globe. Held at The Croft, a historic warehouse located at 22 E. Buchanan Street, the 2022 lineup includes iconic establishments like: Death & Co. (L.A.), Esotico (Miami), Flying Dutchman (Amsterdam), Homeboy (London), Katana Kitten (New York City), Little Red Door (Paris), Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco), and many more.
Last Slinger Standing is a bartending competition that’s part of Arizona Cocktail Weekend. Colton Brock of Ladera Taverna y Cocina won the the top spot in 2020, taking home a grand prize of $1,500. (Photo: Arizona Cocktail Weekend)
This bracketed matchup of the state’s top mixologists continues until there is only one drink slinger left standing. Hosted by Republic National Distributing Company, this fun bartending competition is being held for the first time at The Churchill, located at 901 N. First Street. Guests can come cheer on notable Valley bartenders like Michael Lopez of Clever Koi, Christina McMahon of The Little Woody, Lauren Azevedo of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, Taylor Jamison of Little Rituals, and many more.
Arizona Cocktail Weekend features exclusive tastings (like this one from February 2020), expert-led seminars, and can’t miss cocktail events at nearly two dozen bars and restaurants. (Photo: Arizona Cocktail Weekend)
An amazing array of top lounges, bars and restaurants throughout central Phoenix, and across downtown, are hosting exclusive Cocktail Weekend events, dinners and tastings.
• Baby Boy
• Barcoa Agaveria
• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
• Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
• Centrico
• Century Grand
• Chico Malo
• Cornish Pasty
• Don Woods’ Say When
• Garden Bar PHX
• Highball
• The Larder + The Delta
• Little Rituals
• Lustre Bar
• Lylo Swim Club
• Match Market & Bar
• Pigtails Downtown
• Rough Rider
• So Far So Good
• Wren & Wolf
• Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop & Stardust Pinbar