KL Cocktail Week (KLCW) is back for its third edition, running from 28 April to 3 May 2026. What began as a niche event for bar industry insiders has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s more prominent cocktail gatherings, drawing visiting bars from across Asia with a mix of events for both those who enjoy a casual cocktail and spirited enthusiasts.
This year’s programme spans six days and multiple venues across the city, divided into four geographic zones. Here is a breakdown of what’s happening and how to make the most of it.
KLCW 2026 organises Kuala Lumpur into four distinct areas, each hosting its own set of events throughout the week: Petaling Jaya (PJ) / Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Bangsar / Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, and Chinatown. This zoning structure means you can plan your KLCW experience around a particular neighbourhood rather than commuting across town each night.
One of the event’s highlights is the City Takeover, which brings together a wide range of local venues and internationally recognised bars for special collaborative events. On the local side, participating venues include Bar Trigona, Cabinet 8 KL, JungleBird, Penrose, Reka:Bar, Soma, Three X Co, Up & Away, and a number of others spread across the city’s four zones. The roster of guest bartenders is equally broad, with representation from cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Macau, Singapore, Mumbai, and Beijing. Notable names include COA (HK), Native (SG), Bar Benfiddich (JP), Hope & Sesame (CN), Quinary (HK), VIRTÙ (JP), and Boilermaker (IN), all of which have a spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list.
Following last year’s hit pickleball opening party, KLCW 2026 is continuing the dink is year at PLAYA Racquet Club on 19 April—ahead of the main week—serving as a casual social warm-up for the bar community. Cocktails from local bars will be served courtside, and the format is deliberately low-key, giving attendees a chance to connect before the week’s busier programming begins.
Festival Village at Sentul Depot
The biggest single-day event is the Festival Village, held at Sentul Depot on 2 May from 1:30 pm to 11:30 pm. The Festival Village will feature cocktails from multiple brands and bars, live music performances, games, and a series of masterclasses. It’s an all-in-one experience for those who want a taste of KLCW without committing to multiple nights out. Bring your group of friends and make it an outing. Purchase entry tickets via FunNow.
Tipple Talks: A Full-Day Industry Conference
On 1 May, W Hotel Kuala Lumpur will host Tipple Talks, an all-day conference bringing together hospitality figures for a day of panel discussions and talks. Topics on the agenda include culinary heritage, identity in modern hospitality, workforce evolution, the role of artificial intelligence in food and beverage, and the growing influence of the creator economy.
Speakers include May Chow of Little Bao (HK), Jay Khan of COA (HK), Indra Kantono of Jigger & Pony (SG), and Rachel Tann (50 Best Bars Academy Chair for Southeast Asia & Korea), among others from across the region. While this session is primarily aimed at industry professionals, it offers a rare opportunity for keen enthusiasts to hear directly from some of Asia’s most influential bar figures and get in on the scene.
Cocktail Pairing Dinners
KLCW 2026 also includes a series of cocktail pairing dinners held in collaboration with official dining water partners S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Participating restaurants include Akar, Barkar, Bistro Lea, Fifty Tales, Ling Long, Nadodi, Pickle Dining, Roost, Tangram, Terra Dining, Topshelf, and Yellow Fin Horse. These dinners pair curated cocktail menus with multi-course meals, offering a more seated and intimate format compared to the week’s bar-hopping events—perfect for date nights.
How to Attend
KLCW 2026 is collaborating with FunNow as the official reservation and ticketing platform. Individual events, including bar takeovers, the Festival Village, Tipple Talks, and pairing dinners, will be ticketed separately, so it is worth planning ahead, particularly for the more popular venues and collaborations. For the latest event listings, updates, and ticket availability, follow the official Instagram page at @klcwofficial or visit the link in their bio.
All images courtesy of KL Cocktail Week.
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