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Glasgow Cocktail Week to return for ninth year across city’s top bars

Glasgow Cocktail Week to return for ninth year across city's top bars

Glasgow Cocktail Week launched its 2026 festival today. unveiling its new logo aboard a powerboat on the River Clyde. Flying the Glasgow Cocktail Week flag, festival team and Glasgow creators Bemz, Mark Thorburn and Sonya Walos of Scotland Edit took to the water for a whistle-stop tour of the city with Seaforce, celebrating the return of the city’s biggest cocktail festival.

Taking place from Thursday, 24th September until Sunday, 4th October 2026, tickets are now on sale from glasgowcocktailweek.com. Now in its ninth year, Glasgow Cocktail Week is back under its original name after running as Cocktail Fortnight in 2025, and launches with a brand-new visual identity by East End signwriter Amy Mojo, celebrating the festival’s female-founded roots.

With tickets on sale now and almost 70 venues already confirmed, organisers are preparing for another celebration of Glasgow’s world-class cocktail scene. Last year’s festival featured more than 300 exclusive signature cocktails across the city’s leading bars, restaurants and hotels, with more experiences planned for 2026.

Brand partners include Loch Lomond Malts, Brugal 1888 rum, Patrón tequila, St-Germain liqueur, Hendricks Gin, Monkey Shoulder, Belvedere Vodka, and Singleton and Johnnie Walker whisky. And once again, festival wristbands unlock exclusive signature cocktail menus throughout the festival, plus £2 off premium cocktails at participating venues on three-drink menus, encouraging visitors to discover new venues while supporting Glasgow’s vibrant hospitality industry.  

One of the biggest additions for 2026 is the introduction of city-wide cocktail trails, celebrating the creativity and talent of Glasgow’s bartenders while encouraging festival-goers to explore every corner of the city. Designed to showcase Glasgow’s ever-evolving cocktail scene, the themed trails will be revealed closer to the festival.

Glasgow Cocktail Week to return for ninth year across city's top bars

Following their sell-out success last year, Glasgow Cocktail Week Masterclasses also return to VEGA, taking place across both festival Saturdays.

The 2026 programme includes: Champagne & Popcorn Tasting with Scottish PIAFF Champagne; Spicy Margarita Masterclass with Patrón Tequila; Learn how to make the perfect spritz with St-Germain liqueur; Old Fashioned Masterclass with Monkey Shoulder; Ben Lomond Scottish Gin Cocktails; Rum Espresso Martini Masterclass featuring Brugal 1888 Rum; Hendricks Gin cocktail experience.  

Every masterclass includes two drinks and the opportunity to learn from leading drinks experts and brand ambassadors.

Glasgow Cocktail Week organiser, Nicola Gemmell-Moir, said: “It’s hard to believe we’re now in our ninth year. Glasgow Cocktail Week has always been about celebrating the incredible people who make this city’s bar scene one of the best in the world, and every year we look for new ways to spotlight them.

“After the success of Cocktail Fortnight last year, we’re really excited to return as Glasgow Cocktail Week with a fresh new look that reflects where the festival is today. As a proudly female-founded business, it felt important to work with another brilliant local female creative, and Amy Mac has created a visual identity that perfectly captures the energy, colour and personality of both the festival and the city.

“With almost 70 venues already confirmed, brand-new cocktail trails, returning masterclasses and hundreds of exclusive cocktails to discover, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this September.”

Tickets for Glasgow Cocktail Week are now on sale. Wristbands are £5 and masterclasses £10 and include two cocktails. They can be purchased from glasgowcocktailweek.com