2025 Arizona Cocktail Weekend: Your guide to the best parties and pours

The glasses are chilled. The coolers are stocked. Now, it’s time for the drinks to start flowing. Arizona Cocktail Weekend, the Valley’s largest drinks event, is here.

Bar pro Ross Simon and his fellow event founders came up with the multi-day festival in 2011 to help put Phoenix on the mixology map. In addition to giving local slingers a spotlight, the Valley will also welcome hospitality pros from around the world.

“Every year is amazing (to see) who comes from around the globe and around the country,” says Simon, owner of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour and co-owner of Little Rituals, a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar in the 2025 James Beard Awards.

There’s no shortage of parties big and small, tastings and opportunities to relax and recover. Before you start filling every spare hour on your calendar, remember that a cocktail-centric event like this is a marathon, not a sprint. Simon  recommends planning time to sit, drink some water and grab a bite, in addition to sampling spirits.

Here’s your guide to make the most of the weekend.

Where is Arizona Cocktail Weekend?

Events are happening across the city. The three ticketed, signature events of the weekend – Cocktail Carnival, Top Bars and Last Slinger Standing – are taking place at spaces in and around downtown Phoenix.

There are also more than 75 joint events, each hosted at a local bar, restaurant or hotel in partnership with a cocktail weekend sponsor. These run through March 3, located predominately in downtown Phoenix, “once again living up to our walkability of the event,” Simon says.

These events are mostly free but often require an RSVP because space is limited. Simon recommends bookmarking the event page for the weekend, which includes the full schedule, links to RSVP or purchase tickets and more.

What’s new this year?

The Cocktail Carnival, the celebration that officially kicks off the weekend, will be at a new venue. In previous years, the whimsical, immersive party has been at Walter Where?House. For 2025, the carnival will get an “outside, Arizona perspective,” Simon says, thanks to its new digs on the Garden Plaza at Arizona Center. On Saturday evening, guests can expect more than 30 cocktails by spirits brands from around the world, along with light displays, DJ sets, art and circus performances. The carnival will also kick off earlier than in prior years, allowing attendees to visit other events throughout the evening. VIP entry begins at 4 p.m., followed by general admission entry at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $55.

What else is on the schedule?

In addition to the Cocktail Carnival, the weekend’s two other signature events, Top Bars and Last Slinger Standing, are back. Top Bars, hosted on Sunday at Warehouse215, will bring together 40 of the world’s most notable cocktail lounges in one spot. Teams from renowned bars such as Allegory in Washington, D.C., Penicillin in Hong Kong and Silverleaf in London will shake up signature sips for this party. General admission tickets are $75; VIP tickets are $99.

“That room is going to be the most stacked with award-winning bars,” Simon says.

Last Slinger Standing, a head-to-head bartending throwdown, caps the weekend on Monday night. Sixteen of Phoenix’s top slingers will face off in a bracket-style competition. A panel of cocktail experts will judge the event, naming the winner who will take home the trophy and bragging rights around town. Tickets are $5 and proceeds from those sales benefit the Jupiter Foundation.

Where should I go?

While the signature events pack a punch, there’s a wide variety of free pop-ups and parties being hosted at local watering holes, featuring spirits makers, guest bartenders, curated cocktails and more. While not all require a ticket, many do ask for an RSVP to gauge attendance.

Here are some events we can't wait to check out.

Young Blood Takeover

Feb. 28, 4 to 7 p.m.
Grey Hen Rx: 3626 E. Indian School Road

The team from the award-winning San Diego bar Young Blood will take over Grey Hen Rx, one of three bars inside Century Grand. This coursed cocktail experience from slingers from the 49th Best Bar in North America will include sips made with spirits from Pernod Ricard. No RSVP is required.

Cask & Ash

Feb. 28, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Bitter & Twisted: 1 W. Jefferson St.

Grab a nightcap and indulge in a cigar from the patio of Simon’s downtown cocktail lounge, Bitter & Twisted. The event will also showcase Diplomatico Rum, which you can sip as is or in a daiquiri. There is no RSVP required but event space is limited and first come, first served.

Alebrije Paint & Sip with Rufina Mezcal

March 1, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Barcoa: 829 N. First Ave.

Unleash your inner artist while sipping on a heritage spirit from Rufina Mezcal at downtown agaveria Barcoa. Participants can paint their own whimsical, colorful creatures and will learn about these spirit guides and their history in Mexican culture. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online.

Mexico Vibes & Phoenix Nights: Milagro Tequila Takeover

March 1, 7 p.m. to midnight
Huarachis Taqueria: 814 N. Central Ave.

Head to James Beard Award-winning chef Rene Andrade’s downtown restaurant and bar Huarachis Taqueria for an evening of cocktails, eats and music. The team from Aruba Day Drink, a Tijuana bar that is #16 on the list of 50 Best Bars in North America, will take over the wells. Once you’ve fueled up, get ready to dance the night away to reggaeton, hip hop, merengue and dembow. The event is free and guests are asked to RSVP online.

Teeling Whiskey Presents: The Dead Rabbit

March 1, 9 to 11 p.m.
Trophy Room: 2 N. Central Ave., #101

The bar team from New York’s The Dead Rabbit will craft cocktails made with Teeling Whiskey. This event, hosted at the hidden downtown bar Trophy Room, is free to attend, but space is limited. Guests can RSVP online. Upon arrival, check in at Wren & Wolf.

Familia Meal

March 2, 2 to 5 p.m.
Chilte: 765 Grand Ave.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at modern Mexican restaurant Chilte. San Diego’s Swan Bar will craft drinks to pair with snacks and bites from Chilte’s James Beard Award-nominated chef and co-owner Lawrence “LT” Smith. This event is free to attend and guests can RSVP here.

Sunday Night Cap

March 2, 5 to 7 p.m.
Rough Rider: 1001 N. Central Ave.

Descend underground to Rough Rider for a special happy hour with Licor 43 and Mezcal San Cosme. The evening will include specialty cocktails, tastings, education and more. The event is free to attend and no RSVP is required.

AZCW Anti-Party with Grupo Montenegro

March 2, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Luckys Indoor Outdoor: 817 N. Second St.

Burn the midnight oil at the official afterparty for Last Slinger Standing. Hosted at Luckys Indoor Outdoor, this event promises a curated tasting of cocktails made with Amaro Montenegro, plus a cocktail competition, a live DJ and tattoos by Sad Boy Studio. This event is free to attend and guests can RSVP online.

Are there any events that aren’t just about drinking?

Yes. The weekend encourages hospitality and bartending education, mentorship and self-care, in addition to imbibing. Among those events are:

Baby Girl Recovery Brunch & Market

March 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
901 N. Central Ave.

The nonalcoholic pop-up La Santa Sips will take over the Baby Boy trailer, mixing up no- and low-ABV drinks, at a warehouse located on Central Avenue and Garfield Street. The event will also feature food from Chico Malo, a live DJ, vendor market, live painting, tattoos by Sad Boy Studio and more. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Another Round Another Rally. This event is free to attend; guests can RSVP here.

No/Low Masterclass

March 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Bar 1912: 4130 N. Seventh Ave.

Learn how to make nonalcoholic and low-ABV tipples from Denver’s Yacht Club bar team and Focus on Health, which works to help hospitality professionals do just that through education and support. The event, hosted at Bar 1912, will feature a sensory lab on zero-proof spirits. The event is free but does require an RSVP. Save your seat here.