Arizona Cocktail Weekend takes over downtown Phoenix, Feb. 17-19

• For six years, Arizona Cocktail Week took place primarily at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale
• The 2018 event focuses on three main evening events: Cocktail Jam, Top Bars and Last Slinger Standing
• This year, Arizona Cocktail Weekend has partnered with six bars in the downtown Phoenix corridor

Sometimes, bigger isn't always better.

That's the idea behind big changes to the former Arizona Cocktail Week. This year, the ode to all things shaken and stirred has been streamlined to three days, hence the new name: Arizona Cocktail Weekend.

For six years, the event took place over the course of a week, primarily at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. It incorporated a number of seminars, an artisanal market and a storytelling night hosted by The Arizona Republic, on top of signature events such as Last Slinger Standing and Cocktail Carnival.

After last year, it was time to re-evaluate.

"From its inception, we have made every effort to populate an entire week's worth of events," said Damon Scott, co-founder of Cocktail Week. "Everybody would hit it really hard on Friday, Saturday, Sunday day and night, Monday... and come Tuesday, everyone had enough and had to go back to work."

Scott said the momentum was lost after that, and there wasn't much participation in the second half of the week. So for 2018, the team took a hard look at what events worked best, and what didn't.

The celebration was shortened to three days, focusing on three main evening events: Cocktail Jam, Top Bars and Last Slinger Standing. Brunches, tastings and other programs also are planned throughout the weekend, some free, some paid. 

Ultimately, organizers decided to eliminate the Cocktail Carnival, Storytellers, Artisanal Market and Cocktailgating Festival. 

The trek to Phoenix

The transition to downtown Phoenix started last year with the Top Bars event moving to The Croft. According to Scott, the response from the Warehouse District and Downtown Phoenix Inc. was very positive.

The tighter schedule is an improvement, said Kurtis William, who is bar manager at The Gladly in Phoenix and involved in Top Bars. 

"I'm hoping that maybe they focus it a bit more, and not exhaust people as much," Williams said. "A week and a half is a little long for some people not involved in the cocktail scene as much." 

In previous years, there were events happening throughout the Valley. This year, with the exception of Last Slinger Standing, all events will be within walking distance of one another. As Scott put it:

"The epicenter of the cocktail scene is in the metro Phoenix area. They welcomed us with open arms...and there's so many people within walking distance of each other. It's a good place to start and sets a good foundation for Year 7."

Joshua James, co-owner and bar manager of Clever Koi, is excited for Cocktail Weekend to come to Phoenix. The Asian fusion restaurant, with locations in central Phoenix and Gilbert, has been part of Arizona Cocktail Week for four years. 

"Arizona Cocktail Week is a really great event that sheds light onto the community and what we are doing," he said. "Nothing against Scottsdale, but it's more relevant holding the event downtown and keeping everyone close together."

Less teaching, more mingling

Organizers also nixed the formal educational seminars for bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs, held at Hotel Valley Ho.

"We had some challenges with population during the seminars," Scott said. "From the consumer side, people were a little bit intimidated going to a class full of bartenders, so they would skip it for something else. From a bartending side, most bartenders have been exposed to many things we were going over and it was not always new information."

So this year, Arizona Cocktail Weekend partnered with six bars in the downtown Phoenix corridor, each paired with sponsored brands to create programming with an educational element. Participants are learning, but it's not a class.

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Music meets spirits

While Arizona Cocktail Weekend officially kicks off on Saturday, there are several pre-parties on Friday night, including a sake tasting and "Cynar and Pizza Surprise Pop Up."

On Saturday, guests can take part in a yoga and brunch, check out informal seminars and stop by the Ministry of Relaxation with Hendrick's Gin for spa treatments and cocktails. At night, the main event is the Cocktail Jam, a new soiree at The Van Buren with samples from more than 30 spirit brands and a performance by the Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra.

Local and national talent

Arizona Cocktail Weekend also features top cocktail bars across the country.

For Top Bars, the Sunday night event, bartenders are coming from bars including Herbs & Rye in Las Vegas, False Idol in San Diego, Hotel Congress in Tucson, Union Lodge No. 1 in Denver and Water Witch in Salt Lake City.

Clever Koi will participate with a WWE theme, serving cocktails made with Hiro sake and Camarena tequila. 

"We are going to have everybody dressed up," Clever Koi's James said. "(The drinks) will be both tongue-in-cheek and what we think a WW(E) fan would drink at a craft cocktail event." 

Competing for bragging rights

On Monday, guests can join the pool party at Lustre Rooftop Bar with Don Q rum; and attend a whiskey-tasting event at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails.

The signature evening event is Last Slinger Standing, a high-energy cocktail competition at 7th and Union, the bar inside Young's Market Company. Twelve Arizona and four out-of-state bartenders will compete using secret ingredients.

The packed weekend ends with the Anti-Cocktail Bash at Deli Tavern, featuring beer and shots only — no cocktails.

Reach Hwang at kellie.hwang@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8690.

Arizona Cocktail Weekend

When: Saturday-Monday, Feb. 17-19.

Where: Venues throughout downtown Phoenix.

Admission: Most events are free or have a small entry fee. Admission to Cocktail Jam and Top Bars is $40 each. Last Slinger Standing is free with an RSVP. Some events are sold out.

Details: Full schedule at arizonacocktailweek.com. 

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