Bar Stars Hit Vancouver for Vancouver Cocktail Week March 3-10

From March 3 to 10, meet the stars behind some of the world’s best bars at VCW popups, guest shifts, seminars and the can’t-miss Green Garden Gala.

The third annual Vancouver Cocktail Week is thrilled to welcome some of the world’s most talented bartenders — many honoured by the World’s 50 Best Bars — for an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy their cocktails, learn from their experiences and raise a glass (or two) together.

Among them is the legendary Jesse Vida, famous from NYC’s The Dead Rabbit (named World’s Best Bar by Tales of the Cocktail) as well as his days as head bartender at World’s 50 Best Bars-recognized Atlas in Singapore. He’s now a partner in the agave-forward Singapore speakeasy Cat Bite Club, ready to share his knowledge of agave and rice-based spirits.

You can also learn all about:

• Chinese spirits from Bastien Ciocca and the team at Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame, No. 74 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list;
• The art of hospitality from Diego Cabrera, winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award whose Madrid cocktail bar, Salmon Guru, is No. 16 on World’s 50 Best;
• Cocktail skills from Ronato (Tato) Giovannoni of Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires, Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2020 and winner of the World’s 50 Best Bars’ 2023 Roku Industry Icon Award.

You can find these legends leading seminars and hosting guest shifts at Laowai and Bagheera.

But that’s not all.

Ryan Chetiyawardana — better known as Mr. Lyan, whose London bar Lyaness was named World’s Best Bar and Best International Hotel Bar at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards — will be demonstrating his cutting-edge creativity and exemplary service at Botanist.

Plus global brand ambassadors will be popping up all over town: Among them, Carlino will welcome an international crew to talk all things vermouth, while Taste of Legacy will host both Diplomático rum’s Gavin Miller and Ben Sheffield of Scrappy’s Bitters, who will also lead a seminar at The Modern Bartender.

Seminars and guest shifts aside, the best place to meet the best bartenders from around the world, across the country and right here at home is at the closing night Green Garden Gala on Saturday, March 9. The signature event of Vancouver Cocktail Week will transform the Sutton Place Hotel ballroom into a botanical pavilion with live music, a DJ, fine food, more than 35 premium brand sponsors and, of course, more cocktail creativity than you could fit into a bootlegger’s bathtub.

The Green Garden Gala is the event you and your friends will be talking about for months to come, so don’t miss out — be sure to get your tickets before they sell out! And don’t forget — a portion of ticket sales also supports the BC Hospitality Foundation’s scholarship program.

Tickets for seminars, dinners, neighbourhood crawls, drag shows, the opening brunch, the closing gala and all other events at Vancouver Cocktail Week presented by The Alchemist, March 3 to 10, 2024, are now on sale. For tickets, information on the unticketed Cinq a Sept series of happy hours or to browse the Vancouver Cocktail Week 2024 program guide, visit thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw/. A print version of the program guide is also available at bars, restaurants and private liquor retailers around Vancouver.

To read The Alchemist magazine, pick up a copy at bars, restaurants or private liquor retailers or visit us online at thealchemistmagazine.ca.

PHOTOS: To download logos and high-resolution photos, visit our media folder here.

Suggested post: Meet the world’s greatest bartenders at #VancouverCocktailWeek! Tickets are now on sale for seminars, guest shifts, the #GreenGardenGala and other #VCW events, March 3 to 10, 2024. #VCW24 is presented by @TheAlchemistBC in proud support of @BCHospitalityFoundation. thealchemistmagazine.ca/vcw/

About Vancouver Cocktail Week: Presented by The Alchemist magazine, the third annual Vancouver Cocktail Week will be held March 3 to 10, 2024, at venues across Vancouver. It will showcase the city’s immense bartending talent, with events ranging from seminars, “Cinq à Sept” happy hours and cocktail-paired dinners to the opening elevated brunch at the Fairmont Pacific Rim and closing gala at the Sutton Place Hotel. Vancouver Cocktail Week is also proud to partner with the BC Hospitality Foundation.

About The Alchemist magazine: The Alchemist is the first B.C.-based magazine devoted to the province’s dynamic culture of craft cocktails and artisan distillers. Published in 2015 by Glacier Media, The Alchemist is international in scope but local in focus, featuring stories about the trends, people and brands that play their part in the timeless ritual of enjoying a cocktail. This beautifully designed seasonal magazine is designed as a smartly portable keepsake and is supported online between issues.

About the BC Hospitality Foundation: The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is a registered charity that raises funds to support those in the hospitality industry facing financial crisis due to a health condition. In addition, the BCHF offers a scholarship program to foster the development of the next generation of workers and industry leaders.