Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW) will return for its third edition from 28 April to 3 May 2026, bringing a week-long programme of guest shifts, cocktail dinners, educational forums, and a large-scale festival event across Malaysia’s capital. The event continues its aim of strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s position within Asia’s growing cocktail landscape.
For 2026, the city will be divided into four event zones — Petaling Jaya (PJ) / Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Bangsar / Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, and Chinatown — with each area hosting a series of bar collaborations and activations throughout the week. The programme culminates in the Festival Village at Sentul Depot on 2 May, running from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
International Bar Participation and City Takeovers
A lineup of bars from Bangkok, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Taipei, Dubai, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Hanoi, Macau and other cities will take part in KLCW’s City Takeover series. These visiting teams will collaborate with Kuala Lumpur venues to present guest shifts and one-night menus reflecting their respective drinking cultures and technical approaches.
Participating local venues include Amazonas, Bā by Kinugawa, B.E.D., Bar None, Bar Trigona, Cabinet 8, Concubine, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate, Franks, Four Siblings, Humbolt, Ikiya 2.0, Jao Tim, Joloko, JungleBird, Lavantha, Lane 23, Moonbar, Penrose, Reka:Bar, RAW, Remedy, Soma, Three X Co, Up & Away, and Wet Deck.
Festival Village at Sentul Depot
The Festival Village at Sentul Depot on 2 May serves as the central public-facing event of the week. The one-day gathering will feature cocktail booths from international brands, live music performances, interactive games, masterclasses, and stage presentations. The format is designed to provide access to a wide selection of spirits and cocktail styles within a single venue.
Tipple Talks Conference
On 1 May, KLCW will host Tipple Talks, a full-day food and beverage conference at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The programme runs from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and will feature panels and discussions exploring topics including culinary heritage, identity in modern hospitality, workforce development, the role of artificial intelligence, and the influence of the creator economy on the F&B industry.
Cocktail Pairing Dinners
In addition to bar takeovers and the festival, KLCW 2026 will introduce a series of cocktail pairing dinners in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur restaurants such as Akar, Barkar, Bistro Lea, DC Restaurant, Fifty Tales, Ling Long, Nadodi, Pickle Dining, Roost, Tangram, Terra Dining, Yellow Fin Horse and others. These dinners will pair curated cocktails with multi-course menus, extending the event’s programming into restaurant spaces.
Partnerships and Ticketing
KLCW 2026 has appointed FunNow as its official reservation and ticketing partner. The event is supported by multiple spirits brands, including Belvedere, Chivas, Codigo, Cointreau, Dewars, Don Julio, Hendrick’s, Hennessy, Highland Park, iichiko, Johnnie Walker, Malfy Gin, Martell, Michter’s, Monkey Shoulder, Nikka Whisky, No.3 Gin, Patrón, Planteray, Rémy Martin, Ron Zacapa, Solisca, Tanqueray 10, The Botanist, and Connor’s.
The full schedule of guest shifts, pairing dinners, and conference speakers will be announced on 1 April 2026.
