Aberdeen Cocktail Week (ABZCW) is an incredible opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant bar scene, sample exclusive drinks, and have your say in the annual Cocktail of the Year awards. If it’s your first visit, here’s everything you need to know – updated for 2025’s Spring Edition.
Festival Overview
- Dates: Wednesday 14 May – Sunday 25 May 2025 (12 full days)
- Venues: 27 of Aberdeen’s best bars, cafés and restaurants – from sun-soaked terraces to cosy cafes.
- Wristband perks: Access to limited‑edition cocktail menus (most priced at £5 & £6), priority access to events, and the chance to crown your favourite cocktail as Cocktail of the Year.
- Our mission is to showcase Aberdeen’s bartenders and hospitality, encouraging locals and visitors alike to (re)discover the city one sip at a time.
Picking up your Wristband
Head to Monty’s from May 8th to pick up your guidebook and wristband. Just bring along the QR code which was emailed to you. More information on collections will be shared here.
What to Bring
- Your wristband – Early‑bird (£7), Advance (£9) or Last‑Chance (£12 from 14 May). Keep it on at all times to unlock menus and discounts.
- Festival guidebook – Included with every wristband. The map helps plot your route and track every cocktail you rate. You can grab a pen to keep score from the collection points.
- ID & payment options – Most venues operate 25‑and‑under ID checks. Bring both cash and card as a handful are card‑only.
- Hydration – Pack a reusable water bottle; every bar offers free tap water. You could be doing a few steps…
Pace Yourself
With twelve days to explore you don’t need to rush. Sip water between rounds, grab food at venues like Cafe Andaluz, Amarone or Soul, and savour each bar’s atmosphere before moving on.
Meeting Fellow Festival‑Goers
Strike up conversation at the bar, swap favourites in the guidebook, and share your discoveries on social (tag @AberdeenCocktailWeek so we can re‑share).
Exploring the Venues
We have twenty-seven venues taking part in this Spring Edition, you can view the full line up here.
Events
Look out for:
- Cocktail masterclasses
- Trivia nights & bar quizzes
- Craft workshops
Details drop on the ABZCW socials and get emailed to attendees approx 7 days before the festival starts – this allows us to release them together and keep things fair. Most of these will require an additional ticket.
Final Tips for First‑Timers
- Document the journey – Rate each drink, snap photos, and tag us.
- Vote & give feedback – A post‑festival survey will hit your inbox; nominate your top tipples and help us give bartenders the recognition they deserve.
- Respect the bartenders & tip your favourites – They’re the stars of the show and many have spent weeks perfecting their creations, if you cannot tip a thank‑you goes a long way.
- Have fun and explore – Whether you hit all 27 venues or just a handful, ABZCW is about discovering (or rediscovering) Aberdeen in the most delicious way.
Cheers to an unforgettable Aberdeen Cocktail Week 2025: Spring Edition! 🍸