Glasgow’s annual cocktail festival is back this autumn — and bigger than ever. From 25 September to 8 October 2025, Glasgow Cocktail Week officially transforms into Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight, serving up 14 days of cocktail trails, masterclasses, free parties, exclusive menus and more across the city.
If you’ve been before, you’ll know the drill: buy a wristband, unlock discounts at some of Glasgow’s best bars, and dive into a packed programme of events. Only this time, it’s double the fun. Two weeks. Over 50 venues. Hundreds of cocktails.
Why the change?
Since launching in 2018, Glasgow Cocktail Week has grown into one of the city’s best-loved festivals, shining a spotlight on Glasgow’s buzzing bar scene and the talent behind it. To reflect that growth — and to protect the event — the organisers are rebranding for 2025 as Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight.
The festival remains independently run by Glasgow-based female founder Nicola Gemmell-Moir, with the same mission as day one: to champion Glasgow’s hospitality industry and deliver unforgettable cocktail experiences.
As Nicola puts it: “This festival was created with love for the city and its bars, and we’re proud to have grown it into one of Glasgow’s most exciting events. We’ve always been about collaboration, community, and showcasing the amazing drinks scene here — and this year’s programme is our biggest yet.”
What to expect in 2025
So, what’s on the menu this year? Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
Cocktail trails & signature serves
With a wristband, you’ll unlock three exclusive cocktails at each of the 55+ participating venues — from Kelvingrove Café and The Absent Ear to Champagne Central, Rioja, Locale and Si! Si! at Social Hub. Drinks are discounted by £2 each, making it the perfect excuse to bar-hop your way around Glasgow.
Interactive masterclasses
Both Saturdays during the festival will see VEGA’s new horseshoe bar transformed into a hub of cocktail education and entertainment. Expect hands-on workshops in everything from whisky and tequila to the TikTok-famous Dirty Spritz. A Champagne PIAFF tasting, a St-Germain spritz session, and a Ben Lomond Gin masterclass exploring negronis, gin fizzes and brambles are also on the line-up.
Beauty, bubbles & botanicals with MAC
One of the buzziest events for 2025? A MAC Pro masterclass at Saints of Ingram on Sunday 5 October. For £35, ticket-holders get live demos from MAC artists, insider beauty tips, canapés, a bespoke gin cocktail and a mini bottle of Champagne PIAFF. It’s a glow-up experience with a cocktail twist.
DRAG cocktail class
On Friday 27 September, the Corset Club will host Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight’s first-ever Drag Cocktail Masterclass. Led by queens Shego Sinner and Latex, guests will shake up two cocktails, enjoy nibbles, and then stick around for what’s set to be one of the wildest drag shows in the city. Tickets are £37.
Free parties & raves
Not everything costs extra. Wristband holders get free entry to big parties at VEGA (27 September) and Locale (4 October), plus a coffee shop cocktail rave at Pineapple Espresso on Sunday 28 September — think matcha cocktails, DJs and daytime vibes.
Venues confirmed so far
This year’s line-up is stacked. Alongside favourites like The Finnieston, Tabac, Ralph & Finns, Devil of Brooklyn, and The Gate, new additions include The Last Bookstore, The DAM, and Pineapple Espresso. Whether you’re into speakeasy-style bars or rooftop views, there’s something on the list for everyone. Here’s the full list of participating bars across Glasgow:
Absent Ear
AC Marriott
Address Glasgow – North
Alston Bar
Banana Moon
Bloc
Champagne Central
Church On The Hill
Cornershop
Devil of Brooklyn
El Santo’s
Finnieston
Flight Club Darts
Hazel
Hope & Vincent
House of Gods
Kelvingrove Cafe
Last Bookstore
Lucky Strike
Lunar
Malo
Marlborough
Max’s Bar
Moskito
Oran Mor
Pineapple Espresso
Poko Loko
Porter & Rye
Ralph and Finns
Rioja
Saints of Ingram
Sebb’s
Si! Si! at Social Hub
Spiritualist
St Lukes
Tabac
The Corset Club
The DAM
The Gate
The Locale
TIKI bar
VEGA
Vodka Wodka
Vodka Wodka Merchant City
Vronis
West Side Tavern
Zibbibo
How to get involved
- Buy a wristband (£5) or digital ticket via glasgowcocktailweek.com.
- Flash it at participating venues for discounts and access to special menus.
- Book into the ticketed events (masterclasses from £10, themed events £35–37).
- Follow @glasgowcocktailfortnight on socials for updates and venue reveals.
Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight 2025 brings two weeks of parties, pop-ups and signature serves, shining a spotlight on the bartenders and venues that keep the city’s nightlife thriving. From hands-on masterclasses to big nights out or simply making the most of discounted rounds with friends, this year’s festival is set to be Glasgow’s biggest cocktail celebration yet.
Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight runs from Thursday 25 September to Wednesday 8 October 2025. Tickets and wristbands are available now at glasgowcocktailweek.com.
