Maybe Cocktail Festival

Maybe Sammy is no stranger to awards, landing on the World's Best Bar list multiple times. The Sydney institution has now pulled some strings with its fellow award-winning mixologists to put together a massive lineup for a new eight-day cocktail festival dubbed Maybe Cocktail Festival. Presenting free pop-ups from 16 of the world's best bars between Wednesday, April 12–Wednesday, April 19 across Sydney, this is one not to miss.

The lineup will span several inner-city venues including the OG Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, as well as Dean & Nancy on 22, Sammy Junior, The Strand Hotel Rooftop and Maybe Group's latest opening, Paddington's El Primo Sanchez.

Throughout the festivities, the guest bartenders will arrive at venues, usually for three-hour shifts demonstrating their world-renowned mixology skills. Each guest appearance will be accompanied by its own special one-off cocktail menu, with all cocktails priced at $22 throughout the festival. You can, however, save a few dollars by purchasing bundles of four cocktail tokens for a reduced price.

Image: Alquímico owner Jean Trinh

For the festival, the hospitality group has enlisted the help of 12 international venues that landed on The World's 50 Best Bars 2022, as well as an additional three venues that placed between 50 and 100 on the longlist.

Some of the spots you can expect to feature on the lineup include Barcelona's Sips (number three on the list), plus Alquímico from Colombia, Jigger & Pony from Singapore, Mexico's Hanky Panky and BKK Social Club from Thailand, all of which landed within the top 15.

BKKK Social Club

Other bars set to feature from across Europe, Asia, North America and South America include Drink Kong, Cafe La Trova, Tres Monos, Line, Overstory, A Bar with Shapes for a Name, L'Antiquario, Schofield's, Nutmeg & Clove, Sweet Liberty and Termini.

Alongside these international appearances, there will also be a celebration of our own top-notch bartenders via The Best of Australia event at the recently reopened Lady Hampshire, featuring members of the Re-, Cantina OK!, PS40, Above Board and Byrdi teams.

Rounding out the program is the Maybe Masterclass where five of the international bars will descend on Carriageworks for an introspective look back on how they got to where they are today. All other events are first-in-best dressed, however this one requires you to RSVP through the festival's website.

While you're there, check out the full rundown of who will be appearing where and at what time across the jam-packed eight days.

Dean & Nancy on 22, Steven Woodburn

Top image: El Primo Sanchez, supplied.