2026 Program
Day 1
Tuesday, April 14
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Maybe Frank makes its festival debut — and it's kicking things off the Italian way. Cicerone takes over the kitchen alongside Regina La Pizzeria, and bartender Mario La Pietra gets behind the bar. $35 gets you unlimited pizza and a cocktail on arrival.
Brought to you by Les Vergers Boiron.
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Brooklyn's Bar Madonna lands at El Primo Sanchez to kick off opening night. One of New York's most talked-about recent openings, Bar Madonna blends downtown grit with genuine craft — intimate, electric, and already a firm favourite among those in the know. A rare chance to experience them live and in full flight. Brought to you by Mr Black.
Day 2
Wednesday, April 15
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One of the festival’s key gatherings — and it’s free. Hosted by Sam Bygrave, the day opens with a welcome from Stefano Catino before diving straight into a series of conversations with some of the most influential voices in global bar culture.
From the inner workings of Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, to the rise of Sip & Guzzle in New York, the sessions unpack what makes great bars actually work — beyond the hype. A global panel spanning six continents brings together leading operators from Singapore, Berlin, New York, Mexico City, South Africa and Sydney to share what the future of bars really looks like.
Expect sharp insights, honest conversations, and plenty of audience Q&A throughout. After a short lunch break, the afternoon continues with fast-paced sessions, including “Bar Life Lessons in 20 Minutes” with Philip Duff, and an open-floor “Hot Seat” where no topic is off limits — from industry trends to the questions everyone’s thinking but not asking.
Free entry. Come curious. Come opinionated. Come with questions.
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The UK's Sketchy Bartender has built a global following by making cocktail culture accessible, entertaining, and always a little bit unhinged — and their takeover at El Vista is exactly that. Brilliant drinks, zero pretension, excellent views. Come for one, stay for three. Brought to you by Cazcabel Tequila.
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No. 2, World's 50 Best Bars 2025 [No. 1, 2024]
Handshake, born in the heart of Mexico City, has redefined what modern cocktail culture looks like in Latin America — and then kept going. Cerebral, precise, and endlessly inventive, this is a bar that doesn't do anything by halves. Sydney, meet the world's second best bar. Brought to you by Patrón Tequila.
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No. 10, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Buenos Aires' Tres Monos — No. 10 in the World's 50 Best Bars — is irreverent, genre-defying, and completely magnetic. Part cocktail bar, part cultural moment, they've built a following that spans the industry and the general public in equal measure. When Tres Monos come to Sydney, expect the unexpected — and a very good time. Brought to you by Morris Whisky.
Day 3
Thursday, April 16
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Radio Italiana takes their show live — broadcasting straight from Bar Allora on George St. Tune in, pull up a seat, and watch it happen in real time. A one-off moment that kicks Thursday off in the most unexpected way. Presented by Camatti.
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Radio Italiana and Camatti continue at Bar Allora through the early afternoon — aperitivo culture at full tilt, Italian flair, and one more round before the day really gets going. Brought to you by Camatti.
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Bar Allora's afternoon continues with Ratafia Rossi — a considered, Italian liqueur-rooted session that bridges the lunchtime energy and the evening ahead.
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Singapore's Atlas is a cathedral of gin and one of Asia's great cocktail destinations — grand in scale, meticulous in execution, and warm in hospitality. Tonight they take over Dean & Nancy on 22, twenty-two floors above the city. Brought to you by Angel's Envy.
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No. 22, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Florence's Locale — No. 22 in the World's 50 Best Bars — is nestled in a Renaissance palazzo back home, where Italian craft meets world-class hospitality. Tonight they bring that same care and precision to Maybe Sammy. The cocktails are rooted in heritage but always looking forward — much like the city itself. Brought to you by Club Suntory.
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No. 11, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Set across three floors of a colonial mansion in Cartagena, Alquímico — No. 11 in the World's 50 Best Bars — is one of the most joyful bar experiences on the planet. Their approach is rooted in Colombian biodiversity and a deep belief that drinking well and doing good aren't mutually exclusive. Expect warmth, colour, and cocktails worth staying up for. Brought to you by 1800 Tequila.
Day 4
Friday, April 17
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No. 6, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Few bars carry the weight of history and still feel this alive. The Connaught Bar is an institution — and Giorgio Bargiani is one of the very talented people at the helm. Expect elegance that doesn't take itself too seriously, and cocktails that are quietly, devastatingly good. Get the ferry across – you know you want to. Brought to you by Vanguard Luxury Brands, featuring Four Pillars, The Dalmore and Planteray.
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No. 67, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Sri Lanka meets Surry Hills. From a beach in Sri Lanka to the Sanchez stage — Smoke & Bitters, No. 67 in the World's 50 Best Bars, is one of the world's great surprises. Rooted in the flavours and spirit of the Indian Ocean, their cocktails are unlike anything else on the global circuit. Transportive, tropical, and utterly unforgettable. Brought to you by Herradura Tequila.
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Guste & Johanna bring their Berlin energy to Maybe Sammy for a Friday night that's creative, instinctive, and full of personality. Expect something that doesn't feel like anywhere else. Brought to you by Glenfiddich.
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Best Bar in Africa | No. 81, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Africa's best bar comes to Bar Tilda. Johannesburg's Sin + Tax — No. 81 in the World's 50 Best Bars — is bold, boundary-pushing, and full of personality. Proof that the global cocktail world is more exciting and more diverse than ever. Brought to you by Jack Daniel's.
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Yoi takes over Dean & Nancy on 22 for a late Friday session, twenty-two floors above the city. Brought to you by Les Vergers Boiron.
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No. 39, World's 50 Best Bars 2025
Brooklyn's Sip & Guzzle — No. 39 in the World's 50 Best Bars — closes out Friday night at El Primo Sanchez. Effortlessly cool, technically excellent, and genuinely fun. The kind of late session you don't want to end. Brought to you by Ocho Tequila and Elijah Craig.
Day 5
Saturday, April 18
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The festival's most indulgent session. Flaminia hosts a proper Saturday long lunch — four courses, beautifully put together, with the option to add a full cocktail matching from the Maybe Sammy team. $110 for four courses. $180 with cocktail matching all in. No rush, no standing — just eat and drink very well.
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Sister venue to Bar Leone — No. 1 bar in the world.
Hong Kong's Montana is the sister venue to Bar Leone — the No. 1 bar in the world. That DNA runs deep: refined, confident, and deeply considered, Montana brings its singular energy across the Pacific to Maybe Sammy for a Saturday afternoon. Brought to you by Grey Goose Vodka.
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Mexico City's creative bar scene is on fire right now, and Kaito del Valle is at its beating heart. Sharp, inventive, and deeply connected to Mexican flavour and culture — a night with Kaito is a window into one of the world's most exciting drinking cities. Brought to you by Cointreau.
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Best U.S. Cocktail Bar, Tales of the Cocktail 2025
San Francisco's Trick Dog has spent over a decade pushing the boundaries of the cocktail menu as an art form. Playful, provocative, and technically masterful, every visit is a completely different experience. Tonight they're at Maybe Sammy. One night only. Brought to you by Tromba Tequila.
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Mexico City's Benja closes Saturday night at El Primo Sanchez. Late, inventive, and a very good way to end the penultimate night of the festival. Brought to you by Mezcal San Cosme.
Day 6
Sunday, April 19
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Content Creation & Digital Media Seminar, hosted by Sam Boevey and Tom Chandler from The Sketchy Bartender. Sponsored by Cazcabel Tequila (with margaritas on offer).
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The festival's Sunday session is a proper brunch. Caretakers Cottage (No. 19, World's 50 Best Bars), Byrdi (No. 91, World's 50 Best Bars), and Above Board take over El Primo Sanchez for an afternoon of Australian cocktail excellence. $45 gets you a bottomless snack station and a cocktail on arrival, with cocktails on consumption from some of the country's best for the rest of the afternoon. Three great bars, one brilliant send-off. Brought to you by Ketel One Vodka.
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Six days. 15+ international bars. Hundreds of cocktails. And now — the closing party at El Vista. This is the send-off: the whole festival community together in one room, celebrating a week that Sydney won't forget. Come as you are. Stay as long as you can.
Events are walk-in only, and requires a purchase of 1 x $26 token at the door per person, which can be redeemed for drinks inside the venue.
Entry is subject to venue capacity and policies. For any other questions, please refer to the FAQs.
