Cape Town to host inaugural Cocktail Week
A seven-day ‘cocktail safari’ will arrive in the South African city of Cape Town this December, as it hosts the first Cape Town Cocktail Week (CTCW) festival.
From 10-16 December 2025, the city’s leading cocktail bars will join forces to celebrate local cocktail culture, offering festival-goers the chance to explore the city with a CTCW wristband, and enjoy signature serves for just R50 (US$2.88).
The programme will feature more than 25 participating venues across Cape Town’s City Bowl region, each showcasing their own take on a CTCW cocktail.
Alongside these specials, festival highlights will include guest shifts, masterclasses and flagship CTCW experiences designed to encourage exploration.
CTCW was founded by Leah van Deventer, a drinks journalist, spirits judge and educator based in Cape Town.
She said: “Cape Town has an incredible cocktail scene, and CTCW encourages locals and holidaymakers to explore it when the city is as its finest.
“CTCW is not just about discounted drinks, it’s a city-wide celebration that spotlights bartenders and bars, and positions Cape Town as an international cocktail hotspot.”
To attend the festival and gain access to the events and signature cocktails, guests must purchase a ticket that can then be exchanged for a festival wristband.
Tickets are on sale on Quicket, priced at R280 (US$16) for early birds, R380 (US$21) for general admission, and R3,300 (US$190) for groups of 10.
Festival-goers will receive a CTCW wristband, map and festival guide, and will be invited to chart their own course.
“CTCW is a cocktail safari, where everyone chooses their own adventure,” said Van Deventer. “As well as enjoying the hospitality of the bars, you get to experience the city itself, and are invited to include tourist stops on your route, too.
“Many venues are open during the day, so you can stroll through the Company’s Gardens, wander along the promenade, ride up the cable car or even stop at a museum.”
Certain venues will have dedicated alcohol-free cocktails on their CTCW menus, or guests may request that the alcohol is omitted from their drink, if they choose.
“The aim is to make it as accessible as possible, and allow people to participate in whatever way they choose. This includes brands, who are invited to activate at the participating venues, either by sponsoring a CTCW menu or by hosting tastings, masterclasses and other events,” Van Deventer explained.
Participating bars are listed on the official website: www.capetowncocktailweek.com.
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