Venice Cocktail Week 2026: Discover Venice at Its Most Creative

Venice Cocktail Week transforms the city into an itinerary waiting to be explored, bringing together cocktail bars, hotel bars and exclusive venues.

The central theme of the 2026 edition is the celebration of Venice’s bartending community: professionals who express their own vision of mixology through different techniques, ingredients and inspirations.

During the event, participating venues offer dedicated cocktail menus featuring original creations, reimagined classics and drinks designed for lunchtime aperitivo, including low-alcohol and alcohol-free alternatives.

The programme also includes tastings, masterclasses, meetings, aperitivo experiences and guest shifts, offering the opportunity to discover the people shaping Venice’s mixology scene.

So, it’s about more than cocktails: it’s a new way to explore Venice, stepping into different venues and discovering the city’s character through the people who bring it to life.

How to Experience Venice Cocktail Week: Three Ideas for Your Stay

1. An Aperitivo Among Venice’s Calli and Campielli

During Venice Cocktail Week, you can create your own itinerary by choosing some of the participating venues and discovering the drinks specially created for the event.

It’s an opportunity to explore different neighbourhoods, alternate walks through Venice’s narrow streets with stops at cocktail bars, and discover a contemporary side of Venice that continues to reinvent its tradition of hospitality.

Our tip? Don’t try to fit every stop into a single evening. Take your time, savour each experience and enjoy the city at a leisurely pace.

2. Discover the Bartenders and Their Creations

Behind every cocktail lies a story of research, technique and creativity. The event’s initiatives offer an insight into the work of bartenders, introducing guests to ingredients and preparation methods while exploring the latest trends in mixology.

Before your visit, check the official programme to find the events that interest you most and confirm participation details, any applicable fees and booking requirements.

3. Experience Venice After Sunset

As evening falls, Venice takes on a different atmosphere. Lights shimmer on the canals, the narrow streets grow quieter, and a simple stroll can become one of the most memorable moments of your trip.

Venice Cocktail Week is also an invitation to experience the city beyond its traditional sightseeing routes, making time for convivial moments, discovering new places and enjoying the pleasure of staying a little longer.

And if your day ends with an aperitivo, you can continue the evening with a walk through the squares and small piazzas of the historic centre.

Where to Stay for Venice Cocktail Week 2026

If you’re planning to attend Venice Cocktail Week and explore Venice at your own pace, choosing the right accommodation can make all the difference.

Hotel Giardinetto on the Lido of Venice is an excellent option to consider if you’re looking for a convenient base for reaching the historic centre while enjoying the island’s more relaxed atmosphere.

The hotel is located directly opposite the Santa Maria Elisabetta vaporetto terminal. From here, you can travel to Venice by water and plan your days around cocktail bars, festival events, cultural visits and leisurely walks.

The Lido also offers a different perspective on Venice. Here, you can enjoy a stroll by the sea, explore the island’s tree-lined streets and slow down after a busy day in the historic centre.

It’s the pleasure of combining two experiences: the vibrant energy of Venice and the tranquillity of the Lido, choosing how to enjoy your stay each day.

Plan Your Venice Weekend from 21 to 25 October

Venice Cocktail Week is an opportunity to discover a city that continues to surprise visitors with experiences beyond its best-known attractions.

Whether you’re passionate about mixology or simply looking for a different kind of weekend, these five days of signature cocktails, encounters and autumnal atmosphere offer the perfect opportunity to rediscover Venice.

Make Hotel Giardinetto on the Lido of Venice your base for your Venetian experience. Check availability and plan your stay around discovering the city, enjoying the beauty of the lagoon and experiencing Venice at your own pace.

Venice Cocktail Week 2026 takes place from 21 to 25 October. For the list of participating venues and the latest programme, visit the event’s official website.