With the resurgence of the cocktail, the bar and spirits industry has grown exponentially, creating a demand for conferences dedicated to those who work in the industry. And one of the most well-known conferences, Tales of the Cocktail, has quickly become one of the most important events for bartenders and industry insiders to network and share ideas through seminars, tastings and epic parties.
Similar conferences and festivals have popped up all over the country in recent years, making it easy for cocktail lovers to hop from one to the next, traveling from city to city. You might be wondering what makes a great cocktail conference: local flavor, talented bartenders, knowledgeable industry leaders, education initiatives, festive parties and, of course, delicious drinks. Here’s a roundup of some of the best cocktail festivals in the country, one for each month. So get to planning—there are many places to go and many cocktails to be had!
FEBRUARY 2017: ARIZONA COCKTAIL WEEK (PHOENIX)
Arizona is another great place to thaw out in the winter, and warming up in the sun is even better with a cocktail in hand. Arizona Cocktail Week (mid-February 2017) is a weeklong celebration of cocktail culture filled with events, tastings, seminars and dinners. Some of the highlight events include the Cocktail Carnival, in which bartenders showcase their craziest ideas such as boozy caramel corn alongside carnival performers. Another signature event is the Bartender Swap Meet, in which bartenders bring homemade bitters, syrups and tonics and trade them for books, shakers and Tiki mugs.
Check out the full list here.
Source: Liquor.com, May 2016