Vancouver Cocktail Week: Pop-Ups, Happy Hours, Signature Events, and More
Vancouver’s food and drink scene is diverse and full of creative talent. Bartenders around the city are innovators in their craft, showcasing artisanal spirits and often local ingredients in inventive drinks.
Cocktail enthusiasts in the city look forward every year to Vancouver Cocktail Week, returning to Vancouver for the fourth time. Presented by Alchemist, Vancouver Cocktail Week runs March 2-9, 2025, showcasing the city’s incredible cocktail landscape through special events, seminars, and happy hours.
Two very popular signature events are coming back. The first is the Signature Sunday Cocktail Brunch (March 2, 11:30am-2pm, $150 plus fee) as the kick off to Vancouver Cocktail Week. The event, which takes place at ARC Restaurant at the Fairmont Waterfront, begins with a stand-up reception with a cocktail and bites for each guest, followed by a four-course sit-down brunch, each course paired with delicious cocktails.
The second is their closing party, the Black & White Gala (March 8, 7pm VIP, 8-11pm general admission, VIP $195 plus fee, $155 plus fee GA). Happening at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, it commences with a VIP hour with cocktails and canapes, followed by a gala event with drinks representing two dozen spirit companies, food to pair with the drinks, a DJ, and live music. The event is in support of Mind the Bar, which provides mental health support for the hospitality industry.
As well as the big signature events, there are a ton of other events set for Vancouver Cocktail Week. Below are three as a sampling of what’s to come.
Get set for drag performances by Amy Grindhouse, Kara Juku, and PM and for cocktails during Jungle Juice (March 3, 8pm doors, 8:30pm show, $20), an evening taking place at the Jungle Room in the West End.
The Acorn is joining forces with Odd Society Spirits for A Locavore Cocktail Adventure at The Acorn (March 5, seatings from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, $172 per person plus fee). Guests can look forward to a multicourse dinner paired with cocktails by Lewis Reid (The Acorn head bartender) and Mia Glanz from Odd Society Spirits.
Strange Brew: The Canadian whisky experience with J.P. Wiser’s & Lot 40 (March 7, 6pm, $27 plus fee), is hosted by The Stock Room, in collaboration with J.P. Wiser’s and Lot 40. The night will feature special cocktails incorporating Canadian whisky, and there will also be Canadian-themed snacks for purchase. The ticket includes one feature cocktail.
See here for a full list of the events.
Vancouver is a city made up of vibrant neighbourhoods, each with their own distinct character and cocktail offerings. For each crawl, you’ll visit some of the hottest, award-winning cocktail spots in a neighbourhood, as well as enjoy bites paired with the drinks. Tickets are going fast but, as of writing, are still available for Main Street Cocktail Crawl (March 3, 4-7pm, $72 plus fee), presented by Cantera Negra Tequila, with stops at MICHELIN-recommended The Acorn, Good Thief, and The Watson.
As of writing, you can also still get tickets for the Commercial Drive Cocktail Crawl (March 5, 5-9pm, $96 plus fee), presented by Flor de Caña Rum, with visits to Bar Corso, Loula’s Taverna, The Flamingo Room, and Havana.
Vancouver Cocktail Week is not only about savouring and celebrating the craft of drink-making, but also about learning about techniques and spirits. Events are happening at top venues in town, with leading experts guiding the educational seminars.
Here are three of many events to sign up for:
Discover the Vibrant Flavours of Mexico with Don Julio Tequila (March 4, noon to 2pm) at Prophecy, one of the city’s top-notch cocktail establishments, will teach participants about the intricacies of tequila. Rob Renda, Luxury Portfolio Ambassador for Don Julio, will be the host for the event, sharing expertise as well as guiding participants through a tasting of tequilas, such as Don Julio 1942.
Understanding Umeshu (March 5, 3-5pm, $75 plus fee) at Mount Pleasant’s Zarak, known for their cocktail innovation, will educate participants in knowledge on umeshu, made from the ume fruit. The seminar will be led by Shinji Inaba, CHOYA Brand Ambassador, and Yuki Konishi, President of the Sake Association of British Columbia (SABC). Participants will enjoy a CHOYA cocktail crafted by Winnie Sun, served with a small plate.
Amaro Masterclass with Amaro del Capo (March 6, 4-5:30pm, $60 plus fee), happening at Carlino, is focused on all things amaro. The seminar starts with a cocktail followed by a wealth of information related to amaro history, tasting notes, and production. Participants will taste a variety of amaros, such as Amaro Santa Maria al Monte.
See here for the full list of seminars.
Vancouver Cocktail Week partners will be holding Cinq à Sept (five to seven) for fun imbibing. (Note: despite the name, hours are specific to each participating establishment so make sure to check their Happy Hour times before heading out.) Some establishments will feature special cocktails and snacks. So far, over 30 places are taking part across the city, including Clough Club, L’Abattoir, Mount Pleasant Vintage, and Wildlight Kitchen + Bar.
See the Vancouver Cocktail Week website for full information on all the events happening during the festival.
In addition to Vancouver Cocktail Week, drink enthusiasts can also look forward to many other imbibing events happening this winter in Vancouver. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is happening February 22 to March 2, featuring 121 wineries coming from 15 countries.
Shipyards Brewery District is holding a Family Day Crawl 2025 (February 17, noon-9pm), during which you can visit a bunch of different participating breweries, cideries, and distilleries like Streetcar Brewing and Windfall Cider. Tickets are $3 (plus tax and fee), which gives participants $3 off the first drink at each of the establishments.
Vancouver Writers Fest is holding their annual fundraiser Whisky & Words at Performance Works on Granville Island (April 25, 7pm VIP, 8pm-11pm general admission). This whisky tasting event, with unlimited pours, spotlights local and international distilleries, including B.C.’s Shelter Point Distillery and Scotland’s Glenmorangie. Early bird tickets are available until March 31 (VIP early bird $160 plus taxes and fees, general admission early bird $125 plus taxes and fees).
This is just a snapshot of the many exciting upcoming food and drink events happening in the city!
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