What to Expect from New York Bartender Week

New York Bartender Week is a celebration of the Empire State’s cocktail culture, with bars and spirits producers across New York State taking part in the inaugural event, Nov. 18–24. The varied and versatile week strives to highlight not just standout bars in New York City, but also elsewhere. The event will feature bars going beyond craft cocktail venues to include sports bars, dive bars, hotel bars and any other watering hole.

“New York Bartender Week is dedicated to providing a level playing field to all participating bars and New York State producers who will all be treated equally,” said Hanna Lee, president and founder, Hanna Lee Communications, the public relations and marketing firm launching the event.

So far, dozens of bars and producers are slated to participate in New York Bartender Week, with bars focusing event-special creations on New York spirits producers and their products. Drink specials, for example, might include Honeypenny at Shinji’s Bar in New York City, a cocktail featuring beeswax-washed vodka, a house-made aperitif with golden raisins and honey, mead, and gins.

In 2025, the event hopes to go international, with bartender weeks already expected to occur in other states, including New Mexico and Nevada, as well as in countries such as Kenya and Colombia.