Florence Cocktail Week 2026

In April 2026, Florence will once again transform into a city of cocktails.
Florence Cocktail Week, one of the most anticipated events for bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts around the world, will take place over seven days from April 16 to April 22.

This year’s edition is particularly special, as it marks the 10th anniversary of the festival since its first launch in 2016.

The event was founded by Paola Mencarelli, a professional with a background in food, gastronomy, and journalism. What began in 2016 with just 13 participating bars has grown into one of Italy’s most influential mixology events.

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Over the past decade, Florence Cocktail Week has evolved into a key platform representing Italian cocktail culture. In 2026, the event will feature 55 selected bars and 12 event partners, turning the entire city of Florence into a vibrant stage for mixology.

The theme for 2026 is “Italian Bartenders.”
The focus is on Italian bartenders not only working within Italy but also those building their careers abroad. All guest bartenders participating in the event will be Italian, creating a unique environment where different experiences, perspectives, and skills intersect. This concept highlights how Italian mixology continues to evolve globally while maintaining its cultural identity.

Throughout the week, each venue will offer exclusive cocktail lists alongside a wide range of events, including guest shifts, masterclasses, aperitivo sessions, brunches, pop-up bars, and cultural experiences. The program is designed to be accessible and engaging for everyone, from casual visitors to industry professionals.

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Each participating bar will present a special Florence Cocktail Week drink list featuring three cocktails: a creative Signature Cocktail, a Classic Cocktail, and a Wellness Cocktail, which is either low-alcohol or alcohol-free. The inclusion of wellness options reflects a growing shift in drinking culture, emphasizing balance, mindfulness, and new ways of enjoying cocktails.

One of the most exciting highlights of the 2026 edition is the return of the Contest, originally introduced in 2016. Revived for the 10th anniversary, it serves as a symbolic bridge between the event’s origins and its present evolution. The competition will be judged by leading figures in Italian mixology, including Stefano Nincevich, Luca Pirola, and Patrick Pistolesi.

Another defining feature of Florence Cocktail Week is its strong focus on people. Through the “Barkeeper” initiative, resident bartenders take center stage, sharing their personal stories, philosophies, and signature cocktails directly with guests. In addition, pop-up bars from cocktail weeks across Italy including Tuscany, Venice, Cortina, and the Amalfi Coast, will gather in Florence, offering visitors a chance to experience diverse regional styles in one place.

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Mixology at Florence Cocktail Week extends far beyond the glass. The event also explores the connection between cocktails and gastronomy, with initiatives that incorporate spirits into food. Local chefs, pizzaioli, pastry chefs, and gelato makers will create dishes that integrate spirits as key ingredients, redefining cocktails as part of a broader culinary experience.

The event will feature some of Florence’s most iconic venues, including Locale Firenze, Rasputin, Gucci Giardino, and Manifattura, alongside luxury hotel bars such as Four Seasons Hotel Firenze and The St. Regis Florence. It is a rare opportunity to experience the very best of Florence’s bar scene all at once.

Florence Cocktail Week 2026 is more than just an event. It is a celebration of people, culture, and craftsmanship, and a reflection of how Italian mixology continues to grow, connect, and inspire on a global scale.

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COCKTAIL BARS 

Bitter Bar / FCW 2017

BULLI&BALENE / NEW ENTRY

Caffè Concerto Paszkowski / FCW 2020

Caffè Gilli 1733 / FCW 2017

Cibrèo Ristorante & Cocktail Bar / FCW 2021

Claris / NEW ENTRY

Cosimo / NEW ENTRY

Ditta Artigianale / FCW 2017

Djària American Bar / FCW 2021

Enoteca Violetta  / NEW ENTRY 

Eye Cocktail Bar / FCW 2023 

Fede Cocktailab / FCW 2025

Giacosa 1815 / FCW 2025

Gucci Giardino / FCW 2023 

Harry’s Bar Firenze 1953 / NEW ENTRY 10 YEARS (2016 Harry’s Bar)

La Ménagère / FCW 2016 10 YEARS

L’Angolino / FCW 2025 

La Petite / FCW 2021

Locale Firenze / FCW 2016 10 YEARS 

MAD Souls & Spirits / FCW 2017

Manifattura / FCW 2018

Move On / FCW 2021

Next Door Guné / FCW 2025

NON-SAI cocktail e tapas / NEW ENTRY

PanicAle Cocktail Art Pub / FCW 2020

RAARO / FCW 2025

Rasputin / FCW 2017

REX / FCW 2019

Rifrullo Firenze / FCW 2025

Rivoire / FCW 2016 10 YEARS

Santa Cocktail Club Firenze / FCW 2021

Saporium Lounge / FCW 2025

Serre Torrigiani / FCW 2023

Sevi Firenze / FCW 2025

Strizzi / FCW 2020

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HOTEL BARS

701 Rooftop Bar - Gallery Hotel Art / FCW 2025

1564 Lounge Bar - The James Suite Hotel Firenze / NEW ENTRY

Aria Rooftop by Iside De Cesare - Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi / NEW ENTRY

Atrium Bar - Four Seasons Hotel Firenze / FCW 2016 10 YEARS

Bar Artemisia - Hotel Savoy / FCW 2019

Bar Berni - Four Seasons Hotel Firenze / FCW 2025

Bar Bertelli - Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection / FCW 2025

Binomio - Hotel Indigo Florence / FCW 2025

Caffè dell’Oro - Portrait Firenze / NEW ENTRY

Companion Dolceamaro Bar - 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino / FCW 2023

DISOPRA - Hotel degli Orafi / FCW 2025

Empireo American Bar & Rooftop - Plaza Hotel Lucchesi / FCW 2018

Il Magnifico Cafè - Il Tornabuoni Hotel / FCW 2025

La Terrazza - Grand Hotel Minerva / FCW 2021

Picteau Bistrot & Bar - Hotel Lungarno / FCW 2018

Rooftop Bar - The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini / FCW 2019

Santa Cocktail Club Villa Cora - Villa Cora / FCW 2016 10 YEARS (2016 Le Pool Bar)

The Orientalist - House of Nine / FCW 2025

Winter Garden Bar at The St. Regis Florence - The St.Regis Florence / FCW 2016 10 YEARS

W Lounge, W Florence / NEW ENTRY

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EVENT PARTNERS 

Alighiero Ristoro / NEW ENTRY

Art Bar / NEW ENTRY

B-Roof, Grand Hotel Baglioni / NEW ENTRY 

Caffè Giubbe Rosse  / FCW 2025

Drinking Blues / FCW 2025

Drinx - Il Gusto di Xinge / FCW 2023

Enoteca Alessi Wine & Cocktail Bar / FCW 2025

Mario Listening Baretto / NEW ENTRY

Oasi Fabbroni / NEW ENTRY

Spirituum Spirits Club / NEW ENTRY

Time Calenzano / NEW ENTRY

Viktoria Lounge Bar / FCW 2016 10 ANNI

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