Five of Glasgow’s best-known drinking destinations are joining forces for a major party marking the opening of Glasgow Cocktail Week and the start of the city’s September Weekend.
House of Gods, Absent Ear, Kelvingrove Café and Bar Dani will take over Kong this Thursday, 24 September, bringing bartenders and signature cocktails from across the city together under one roof.
Running from 6 pm to 10 pm, the opening party will feature cocktails created specially for the festival, sets from Glasgow’s best DJs, a dedicated Spritz experience, interactive tarot readings, drink activations, and surprises throughout the evening.
Entry will be free exclusively for Glasgow Cocktail Week wristband holders.
This collaborative party will officially open Glasgow Cocktail Week 2026, which will run from then until Sunday 4 October.
More than 70 of the city’s bars will take part in 11 days of exclusive cocktails, parties, tastings and experiences, with more than 250 cocktails on offer, £2 off every drink for wristband holders and cocktails from £6.
Participating venues include Absent Ear, Bar Dani, Champagne Central, Devil of Brooklyn, Dishoom, El Santo, Five March, House of Gods, iasg at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Kelvingrove Café, KONG, Locale Lunar, Porter & Rye, Saints of Ingram, Si! Si!Luke’suke’s, Tabac City and Southside, The Gate, The Last Bookstore and VEGA.
Glasgow Cocktail Week founder, Nicola Gemmell-Moir, said that Glasgow’s bar scene was at the heart of the festival, and there was no better way to begin than by bringing five brilliant venues together for one huge opening party.
“Your wristband is your invitation to join us at our launch party at Kong, discover cocktails created especially for the festival and celebrate the people and places that make Glasgow one of the UK’s most exciting cities for drinks.
“This year, we’ve also packed a lot into both our event and masterclass programme after the success of last year’s Glasgow Cocktail Week.
“These intimate sessions have been designed to be fun and accessible, whether you’re a complete beginner or want to sharpen your cocktail-making skills and learn more about your favourite spirits.”
Glasgow Cocktail Week has also revealed its full programme of interactive masterclasses, hosted at VEGA.
Guests can learn from leading drinks experts while exploring everything from Champagne and Scottish gin to Margaritas, Spritzes, Old Fashioneds and Espresso Martinis with brands including ChamPagne PI, Hendrick’s Gin, Patron Tequila, St-Germain, Brugal 1888, Ben Lomond Gin, Singleton 12YO whisky and Johnnie Walker.
