From April 16 to 22, Florence Cocktail Week returns to the Tuscan capital to celebrate its tenth anniversary, reaffirming the city’s status as a global hub for cocktail culture. Founded and directed by Paola Mencarelli, the festival marks a decade of championing Italian mixology through a programme that blends tradition, innovation and emerging talent.
Over the course of seven days, cocktail bars and hotel venues across Florence will host a wide-ranging calendar of events aimed at industry professionals, enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Guest shifts, masterclasses, brunches and cultural experiences will once again transform the city into a dynamic showcase of contemporary drinking culture, with a continued emphasis on quality and responsible consumption.
At the core of the 2026 edition are 55 selected cocktail bars, each unveiling a dedicated festival list featuring three original creations: a Signature Cocktail, a low- or no-alcohol Wellness Cocktail, and a Classic Cocktail. The latter takes on particular significance this year, reflecting a renewed focus on the foundations of mixology at a time when experimental techniques dominate the field. Organizers stress that revisiting the classics is essential to preserving the craft’s heritage while inspiring future innovation.
Since its debut in 2016 with just 13 participating bars, Florence Cocktail Week has grown into a major industry platform encompassing more than 70 venues. It now anchors the wider Italian Cocktail Weeks network, with satellite events across Tuscany, Venice, Cortina and the Amalfi Coast, an expansion that underscores its influence in promoting Italian bartending talent on an international stage.
The full 2026 programme will be released online in April via the festival’s official website, offering a comprehensive guide to tastings, educational sessions and special events. Among the highlights is the return of the Tour dei Caffè Storici, a curated journey through Florence’s historic cafés culminating at Caffè Gilli 1733, where participants will sample the city’s iconic Negroni.
Brand collaborations will also play a central role. Martini will present its MARTINI Social Club with a guest shift at Locale Firenze on April 16, featuring leading Italian bartenders including Flavio Angiolillo and Patrick Pistolesi. The event will highlight both classic recipes and contemporary interpretations, with a focus on vermouth and the enduring appeal of the Italian aperitivo. Elsewhere, Gucci Giardino will host a series of brunch events led by Martina Bonci and her team, beginning with an opening collaboration on April 16. On the same day, Baldoria Vermouth will stage a themed dinner at Djària – American Bar, pairing American-inspired cuisine with both classic and reimagined cocktails.
