Cape Town Cocktail Week is a citywide, map-based discovery festival bringing together the bartenders, bars and brands that make Cape Town one of the world’s most exciting cocktail cities. 

The week kicks off on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December with the CTCW Education Programme at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel – two days of seminars, masterclasses, tastings and workshops led by leading local and international drinks professionals.

Then, from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 December, the festival spills out across the city for the Cocktail Safari™. Here – with map and guide in hand – you’ll explore some of Cape Town’s best bars and hospitality venues, with special discounted CTCW cocktails, guest shifts, tastings, dinners, parties and other events taking place throughout the week.

One wristband unlocks the full CTCW experience – from learning and connecting at Mount Nelson to discovering exciting new venues, and revisiting old favourites. 

included Your CTCW wristband is your passport to Cape Town Cocktail Week.

Start the week at the CTCW Education Programme at Mount Nelson, with two days of seminars, masterclasses, tastings and workshops. Sessions are free for wristband holders, on a first come, first served basis and subject to capacity – so arrive early. Then hit the city for the Cocktail Safari™, unlocking specially created CTCW cocktails at participating venues throughout festival week.

Your wristband also gives you access to a packed programme of guest shifts, tastings, parties, live gigs and other special events. Most events are included with your wristband, subject to capacity, while some require separate tickets or advance booking – check the CTCW event guide for details.

Purchase your CTCW26 ticket online here, then exchange it for your festival wristband at Tommys Chop Shop any time from 7 October, during their normal operating hours

Your wristband is valid for the duration of Cape Town Cocktail Week, so you can explore the festival at your own pace.

During the week, you can also collect your printed festival map and an events guide from select venues, so you can chart your course in a choose-your-own-adventure format.

No need to wait to start plotting though – take a look at our venues, map and events right here on our site, and start planning your cocktail journey!

One wristband. Seven days. Endless adventures.

Cape Town Cocktail Week was founded by Leah van Deventer, a long time champion for Cape Town’s bar scene.

A five-time member of the Bar World 100, a list that recognises the 100 most influential figures in the global drinks industry, Leah is also the Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars (Africa South & Indian Ocean Islands), a WSET educator, and an experienced international drinks judge, writer and speaker.

After more than two decades working across drinks, hospitality, media and education, she founded Cape Town Cocktail Week to create a platform that celebrates Cape Town’s bar culture, connects it to the global drinks community, and creates meaningful opportunities for the people and businesses shaping the industry.

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