News Summary
Starting September 14, Houston will host its first Cocktail Week, celebrating local and national bartending talent. The week-long event includes tastings, bar takeovers, and guest shifts from renowned bars nationwide. Attendees can purchase a cocktail passport for access to events, with proceeds supporting charity. Organizers focus on elevating Houston’s cocktail scene while fostering knowledge exchange in the hospitality industry.
HOUSTON, TEXAS — Starting September 14, 2025, Houston will become the center of the cocktail universe as it hosts its inaugural Cocktail Week. Running for a week until September 21, this event will be a celebration of both local and national bartending talents and showcase the essence of Southern hospitality.
The Cocktail Week promises a vibrant lineup of activities for participants, including tastings, bar takeovers, guest shifts, pop-up events, masterclasses, and educational seminars geared towards cocktail enthusiasts and professionals alike. Some of the confirmed participating bars include local favorites like Reserve 101, Two Headed Dog, Bandista, Bayou & Bottle, Doris Metropolitan, Johnny’s Gold Brick, and Julep.
Highlighting the diverse offerings, the event will also feature guest bartenders representing notable bars from across the United States, including Jewel of the South from New Orleans, Press Club from Washington D.C., Happy Accidents from Albuquerque, and Paper Cut from Austin. The Cocktail Week will also welcome international participants such as LaoWei from Vancouver and Locale from Florence, Italy, enhancing Houston’s appeal as a global cocktail destination.
Attendees can purchase a cocktail passport priced at $20, granting them access to all the week’s events. Passport holders will enjoy special pricing with cocktails available for just $5 at participating venues. These passes will go on sale starting September 1, 2025, along with the complete lineup of events, which will be revealed on August 24, 2025.
The launch of Texas Cocktail Week aligns with Houston’s rapid growth as a major player in the hospitality industry. This city has been identified as the fastest-growing hospitality market in the United States, with projections indicating that travelers will spend approximately $97.5 billion in Texas in 2024. Organizers aim to elevate the region’s cocktail scene substantially, enhancing its presence on the global cocktail stage.
The masterminds behind this exciting initiative are B E Mintz, a James Beard Award finalist, and Rachel Boyd. Their vision for the event emphasizes the potential for growth within the premium-plus gin market in Texas, and they are dedicated to fostering knowledge exchange via panel discussions and industry-focused events. Topics will include modern marketing strategies tailored for bars looking to thrive in today’s competitive environment.
As part of the festivities, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in voting for the best cocktail, adding a competitive edge to the week-long event. Profits generated from the passport sales are designated for charity, ensuring that the spirit of hospitality extends beyond the bar scene.
The Cocktail Week reflects not only a celebration of mixology and creativity but also underscores the community’s commitment to support local businesses and contribute to philanthropic endeavors. With its diverse events and focus on quality, the inaugural Cocktail Week in Houston is positioned to become a hallmark gathering for cocktail enthusiasts across the state and beyond, further emphasizing Texas’s reputation as a burgeoning hub for cocktail culture.
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Additional Resources
- The Spirits Business
- Wikipedia: Cocktail
- Drinks International
- Google Search: Texas Cocktail Week
- FB101
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cocktail
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: Texas Cocktail Week
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
