Taking over the streets of Downtown Phoenix this February 17 – 19, the 7th annual Arizona Cocktail Week-End just keeps serving up surprises, including the world premiere of “The Monkey Mixer,” a massive mobile cocktail shaker, dispensing Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch Whisky cocktails. The mobile shaker, drawing cheeky inspiration from a cement truck’s design, complete with rotating drum, or in this case, cocktail shaker, The Monkey Mixer, can hold up to 2,400 gallons.
And that’s just the tip of the cocktail skewer at the 2018 Arizona Cocktail Week-End’s 30+ amazing (and mostly free!) events, concerts, tastings and more. Plus, get home safe with exclusive Lyft discounts. Or stay in high-rise style with discounted rates at top Downtown hotels.
The Main Events:
Saturday, February 17
- The Cocktail Jam (8pm – midnight): This all-new concert pairs the Valley’s own Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra and California’s famed soul band, Orgone, with a mind-blowing display of craft cocktail showmanship. Think a vintage VW bus turned into a Red Bull bar, or Kettle One Vodka martinis served with a kilo of caviar! Tickets (includes 10 sample cocktails) are $40 ($50 at the door).
Sunday, February 18
- Top Bars (8pm – midnight) AZCW’s most popular event, sip and savor pop-up versions of 30 of the best bars from around the state, and across the globe, all inside a historic warehouse turned hip event venue. 2018 participants include craft cocktail bars from Las Vegas to NYC, and Maui to Cartagena. Tickets (includes 10 sample cocktails) are $40 ($50 at the door).
Monday, February 19
- The Last Slinger Standing (6:30 – 9:30 pm) Hosted at Young’s Market Company inside its stunning on-site bar, 7th & Union, watch competitors from across AZ, CO, NV, NM & UT go head-to-head for the title of the Southwest’s top bartender, complete with secret ingredients that will keep the slingers–and the crowd–on their toes! Free to attend, must RSVP via www.arizonacocktailweek.com
Not to mention tiki tastings, tequila barrel tappings, a mystery midnight pop-up pizzeria, a poolside pina colada party, free facials and foot rubs, an anti-cocktail after party and not one but two live bartending competitions.
Most important, the 2018 Arizona Cocktail Week-End supports local charities partners, Local First Arizona Foundation, Child Crisis Arizona and Careers Through Culinary Arts Program-Arizona.