Bottoms Up: Where to drink during Arizona Cocktail Weekend

Arizona’s booziest weekend is nearly upon us. As barkeeps from around the world descend into the Valley, local bars and restaurants have put together a slate of events to toast Arizona Cocktail Weekend.

The cocktail weekend officially kicks off on Friday, but for the 14th edition of this spirited showcase, there are loads of tastings, pairings, bar takeovers, and, thankfully, recovery events, to fill your calendar. 

You can also still get tickets to attend Arizona Cocktail Weekend’s signature events, which highlight unique sips and stellar bartenders: the Cocktail Carnival, Top Bars and Last Slinger Standing.

If a big event isn’t in the cards or you’re looking for more ways to savor the weekend, the Valley’s bartenders have crafted more than 90 experiences over six days. Check out these 12 can’t-miss events to whet your whistle.

Easy Tiger x Espolòn Menu Launch Party

Feb. 25
4725 W. Olive Ave., Glendale
The West Valley neighborhood dive bar Easy Tiger will debut its new cocktail menu with a party. Easy Tiger has partnered with Espolòn Tequila on the event, which will also feature raffles, tunes by Trust Nemo and food from Detour Deli. The festivities kick off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. No RSVP is needed for this free event. 

Distillery Dinner: SanTan & Carefree Spirits

Feb. 26
50 W. Vaughn St., #107, Gilbert
Head to downtown Gilbert’s all-day restaurant, Maeva, for a three-course dinner with paired cocktails by SanTan Distilling and Carefree Spirits Distillery. The kitchen team at Maeva, one of Phoenix New Times’ favorite new restaurants of 2025, will create a menu of whiskey-inspired dishes to celebrate Arizona whiskey. The meal is $90 per person, with seatings at 5 or 7 p.m. Diners can reserve their experience on OpenTable. 

Batangas & Botanas

Feb. 26
2026 N. Seventh St.
Stop into Marisco Boys for a happy hour of batangas and botanas. The sassy seafood restaurant from Taco Boy’s will highlight Teremana Tequila and the history of the batanga, a cocktail made with tequila, lime and cola. RSVPs are required for this free event, which starts at 4 p.m. Save your spot on Eventbrite. 

“Wicked City” at Grey Hen Rx

Feb. 26
3626 E. Indian School Road
Transport yourself to “Wicked City” at Century Grand’s Grey Hen Rx. The turn-of-the-century Chinatown-inspired bar will take guests to Juarez, Mexico, circa 1925. Mixologists from the award-winning Guadalajara bar El Gallo Altañero and Los Angeles restaurant and bar Mírate will be behind the bar, pouring drinks. RSVP online to save a spot at this free event.

Suncliffe Martini Trail

Feb. 26 to March 2
Multiple locations
Sedona-based spirits company Suncliffe has teamed up with bars across Phoenix for a citywide cocktail crawl. Chilte, First & Last, Sidecar Social Club, So Far So Good, Tropic Thunder and Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.’s two Phoenix locations will each put their spin on a bottled, chilled martini made with Suncliffe’s Arizona Gin. Drinkers who complete the trail, stopping at all seven locations, will win a prize. 

East Meets West with Trick Dog and Allegory

Feb. 27
1514 N. Seventh Ave.
Upstairs Phoenix speakeasy Highball will host a hip hop-themed bar takeover featuring teams from two acclaimed cocktail bars: San Francisco’s Trick Dog and Washington, D.C.’s Allegory. Guests will sip original cocktails inspired by hip hop, featuring Ketel One Vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and Ron Zacapa Rum. The event kicks off at 8 p.m., but it is first-come, first-served.

Queens of the Cocktail

Feb. 27
2701 E. Indian School Road
Sunny’s Lounge will welcome three cocktail queens — Happy Accident’s Kate Gerwin, Rough Rider’s Brenda Juarez and UnderTow’s Krissy Shelberg — to host shifts behind the bar. Gerwin will take the first shift, beginning at 8 p.m. The evening will be set to the beats from an all-woman lineup of DJs. This party is free to attend and is on a first-come, first-served basis. 

French Alpine Tasting 

Feb. 28
1025 N. Second St.
Spend your afternoon sipping and learn about Haus Alpenz apertifs. Those tipples will be paired with hors d’oeuvres from the downtown French bistro, Sottise, and the swing of a live jazz trio. The afternoon fete starts at noon. Cocktails from Sottise’s bar will also be available for sale. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased on Tock. 

Hendrick’s Club Cucumber

Feb. 28
132 S. Central Ave., 4th Floor
The acclaimed Phoenix hotel bar Little Rituals will bring together teams from the award-winning L.A. bar Thunderbolt and D.C.’s Service Bar. The crew has put together a one-night-only party featuring Hendrick’s Gin cocktails, local DJs and “the most outrageous club experience you’ve NEVER dreamed of,” per the event description. Little Rituals goes into club mode starting at 8 p.m. Reservations are required for this free event. 

Rum Brunch

March 1
765 Grand Ave.
Local tiki pop-up Sugar Cane hosts this special cocktail week edition of its Rum Brunch at the Egyptian Motor Hotel. The Sugar Cane team will be joined by guest bartenders from Las Vegas’ The Golden Tiki and Denver’s Hell or High Water. Chilte chef Lawrence “LT” Smith and chef Devan Cunningham will be in the kitchen. Live music, DJs and flash tattoos by SadBoy Studios are also in the lineup. No RSVP is required for this boozy brunch, which starts at noon.

Flight to Milan with Branca USA

March 1
2 N. Central Ave., #101
Carry On will fly drinkers to Milan in just 45 minutes. Phoenix’s whimsical cocktail bar, set in a 1970s-inspired first-class airplane lounge, has teamed with Eduardo Branca and his family’s titular alcohol company for this limited flight. Attendees will see iconic landmarks of northern Italy along their journey. A $15 ticket gets each passenger three cocktails; reservations can be made online. 

Luma Vodka Recovery Pool Party

March 1
1100 N. Central Ave.
This recovery pool party at the FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel is for the people who make the most of this cocktail weekend. Guests can soak up some sun, sip Mexico-meets-Italy inspired tipples made with Luma Vodka and can get a complementary recovery IV from Hydrate IV Bar. This adults-only pool party gets underway at 3 p.m. RSVPs are required on Eventbrite, and space is limited.