Sydney will become the centre of the international cocktail world when the Maybe Cocktail Festival returns from 14–19 April 2026.

Celebrating its fourth year, the festival will bring 22 of the globe’s most talked-about bars and bartenders to Sydney, offering a rare chance to experience some of the world’s best without renewing your passport.

Among the bars attending this year are Tres Monos (Buenos Aires), Alquímico (Cartagena), Connaught Bar (London), Locale Firenze (Florence) and New York’s Sip & Guzzle – all currently featured on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Bars list.

Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy — named The World’s Best Bar in 2024 — also joins the lineup.

Among the top 51–100 ranking bars heading to the festival are Brooklyn’s Bar Madonna, San Francisco’s Trick Dog, Mexico City’s Kaito del Valle, Berlin’s Wax On, Sri Lanka’s Smoke & Bitters and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax, alongside Hong Kong’s Montana (sister bar to 2025’s World’s Best Bar, Bar Leone) and Singapore’s Atlas.

Australia is equally well represented, with Melbourne institutions Above Board, Byrdi and Caretaker’s Cottage taking part.

As in previous years, the festival will unfold across some of Sydney’s best-known venues, including Maybe Sammy and El Primo Sanchez. Expect guest shifts, one-off collaborations and walk-in events that place globally recognised talent directly behind local bars.

Festival Director Stefano Catino said: “Each year we’ve tried to lift the standard while keeping the spirit of the week intact.

“It’s not about putting on a show for the sake of it. It’s about getting the bars that are setting the pace globally behind our own
counters. Sydney knows a good drink when it sees one. This week just means you don’t have to scroll through a list
or book a flight to try it.”

The full 2026 program will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Learn more here.