Venice Cocktail Week 2026: what to know and where to stay in Venice

From 21 to 25 October 2026, Venice will once again celebrate the world of mixology with the fifth edition of Venice Cocktail Week: five days dedicated to cocktails, bartenders, tastings, masterclasses and special events at some of the city’s most renowned cocktail bars and hotel bars.

An event for cocktail enthusiasts, industry professionals and anyone who wants to discover a different side of Venice through its bars, bartenders and contemporary interpretations of Venetian drinking culture.

What is Venice Cocktail Week?

Venice Cocktail Week was created to promote mixology and responsible drinking culture, inviting visitors to explore Venice through a selection of cocktail bars, hotel bars and special venues.

The 2026 edition features 31 selected venues, including 21 hotel bars and 10 cocktail bars, together with several Event Partners.

The programme includes cocktail lists created especially for the event, tastings, masterclasses, aperitifs, guest shifts, brunches and meetings with Italian and international bartenders.

It is therefore much more than a week dedicated to cocktails.

It is a different way to explore Venice.

Five days to discover a different side of Venice

During Venice Cocktail Week, each participating venue creates its own cocktail menu, including three different interpretations: an original Signature Cocktail, a daytime low-alcohol or non-alcoholic aperitif and a classic cocktail.

These are accompanied by masterclasses, tastings, meetings with Italian and international bartenders, guest shifts and other special events.

The result is a Venice to explore after sunset too: not only monuments and museums, but historic bars, elegant hotel lounges, contemporary cocktail bars and places that reveal a more creative side of the city.

Venice Lido is part of Cocktail Week too

If you are staying on Lido, there is another reason to choose this part of Venice.

Among the venues participating in Venice Cocktail Week 2026 is Blue Drop Venice, located on Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, right on Lido.

The Blue Bar at Hotel Excelsior is also taking part, with a cocktail menu created especially for the event.

This means that Lido is not simply the place to return to after an evening in the historic centre.

It can become part of your Venice Cocktail Week itinerary.

Where to stay during Venice Cocktail Week?

Choosing where to stay during an event in Venice also means deciding what kind of pace you want for your trip.

Venice Lido allows you to combine the energy of the event with a more relaxed atmosphere.

During the day, you can take the vaporetto to the historic centre, attend Cocktail Week events and discover the participating venues.

Then, at the end of the evening, return to Lido.

Away from the crowds of the historic centre, close to the sea and with the chance to enjoy a quiet walk before heading back to your hotel.

Hotel Rivamare: experience Venice beyond the event

Hotel Rivamare is located on Venice Lido, in a convenient position for travellers who want to combine exploring the city with a more peaceful stay.

During Venice Cocktail Week, it can be your base for discovering Venice by day and experiencing its evening atmosphere.

And the best part is that you don’t have to choose between Venice and Lido.

You can experience both.

A day among Venetian streets, exhibitions and historic palaces. An aperitif at one of the Cocktail Week venues. An evening in the city. Then a return to Lido and the pleasure of slowing down.

Venice, one cocktail at a time

Venice Cocktail Week is an opportunity to see Venice from a different perspective.

Following a cocktail itinerary can become a way to explore the city, discover new areas, meet bartenders, taste original creations and be surprised by a side of Venice that is perhaps less familiar.

From 21 to 25 October 2026, Venice will have one more reason to come alive after sunset.

And Lido can be the perfect place to start and end your day.

Venice Cocktail Week, Hotel Rivamare and Lido: a different way to experience Venice, at your own pace.