Move over, Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur – Jakarta is officially joining the cocktail week club!

From November 24–28, 2026, Indonesia's capital will make its cocktail festival debut with the inaugural Jakarta Cocktail Week (JCW), a five-day celebration bringing together some of Asia's most exciting bartending talent for international guest shifts, cocktail masterclasses, industry discussions, late-night parties, and one seriously spirited Cocktail Village.

We're talking more than 20 participating Jakarta bars, international guest appearances from nine Asian countries and territories, upwards of 3,500 expected attendees, and a projected 10,000 cocktails poured over the course of the festivities.

That's a whole lot of shaking, stirring, and sipping.

And while Jakarta has long been home to a growing collection of impressive cocktail bars, JCW marks a major milestone in putting the Indonesian capital on the international drinking map.

A New Chapter for Jakarta's Cocktail Scene

Following in the footsteps of successful cocktail festivals in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, Jakarta Cocktail Week is taking a city-wide approach, inviting drinkers to explore the capital one bar at a time. But this isn't simply about flying in big-name bartenders and calling it a party.

READ MORE: Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week 2026 is Set to Be Bigger, Bolder, and Better Than Ever

READ MORE: Your Ultimate Guide to Penang Cocktail Week 2026: Cocktails, Char Kway Teow, and Cheers!

JCW Planning Committee

Organized by a nine-member committee of Jakarta hospitality professionals, including representatives from The Union Group, The Golden Tooth, Salty Fish, Modernhaus, HATS Bar, OSMO, and Between The Sips, the festival is designed to strengthen Indonesia's homegrown cocktail culture while building connections with the broader Asian bar community.

"Jakarta has developed an incredibly exciting cocktail scene, with talented bartenders and bars that deserve greater international recognition," says Stefanie Wijono, JCW Organizing Committee Member and Deputy Marketing & PR Director of The Union Group. "We believe this is the right moment to bring the industry together and create something that represents Jakarta as a whole."

The goal? Give Indonesian bartenders a bigger platform, introduce local drinkers to different cocktail cultures, and give international visitors another compelling reason to add Jakarta to their travel itineraries.

And judging by the lineup, they're off to a strong start.

International Bar Takeovers: Asia's Best Behind Jakarta's Bars

The centerpiece of JCW is its series of international guest shifts, running November 25–28.

Rather than cramming every visiting bartender into one venue, the festival spreads its takeovers across Jakarta's existing cocktail bars. Each evening focuses on a different part of the city, encouraging guests to hop from one watering hole to the next. The lineup reads like a who's who of the Asian cocktail scene, featuring celebrated bars from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Osaka, Seoul, Penang, Singapore, Taipei, Taichung, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Bar Us, Bangkok

Good Friends Club, Penang

A few standouts to look out for:

• Bar Us, Bangkok: Known for blurring the lines between food and drink, this acclaimed Bangkok bar brings its culinary-minded cocktail philosophy to TARA on November 26. If you like your drinks with a side of unexpected ingredients and unconventional flavor combinations, this one's worth circling.
• Bar Cham, Seoul: Bringing a distinctly Korean perspective to contemporary cocktails, Bar Cham takes over Between The Sips on November 26. Expect an exploration of Korean spirits, regional ingredients, and innovative techniques.
• Good Friends Club, Penang: One of Penang's beloved drinking dens is making the trip south, taking over The Golden Tooth on November 26. A little taste of Penang's bar scene, minus the flight to Malaysia.
• A Bar Has No Name, Shanghai: Representing our home turf, Shanghai's A Bar Has No Name will take over the St. Regis Bar on November 25. Always good to see Shanghai getting some love on the international stage.
• Argo, Hong Kong: The acclaimed Hong Kong cocktail bar brings its polished, ingredient-focused approach to Cosmo Pony on November 25.
• Dry Wave, Bangkok: Another Bangkok favorite joins the festivities, taking over Carrots on November 27.
• Alice, Seoul: The Korean cocktail destination brings its imaginative drinks to The Cocktail Club on November 28, rounding out the festival's international guest-shift program.

And that's just a taste of what's in store.

The Complete Jakarta Cocktail Week Guest Shift Schedule

Modernhaus, Jakarta

The Cocktail Club, Jakarta

Wednesday, November 25

• Nautilus x Mius (Hong Kong) – 7–10pm
• St. Regis Bar x A Bar Has No Name (Shanghai) – 8–11pm
• Koda x Craftroom (Osaka) – 8–11pm
• Cosmo Pony x Argo (Hong Kong) – 9pm–midnight

Thursday, November 26

• Hats x CMYK (Changsha) – 6–9pm
• Osmo x Pop City (Singapore) – 6–9pm
• The Golden Tooth x Good Friends Club (Penang) – 6–9pm
• TARA x Bar Us (Bangkok) – 8–11pm
• Modernhaus x Futura by TPH (Taipei) – 8–11pm
• Between The Sips x Bar Cham (Seoul) – 8–11pm

Friday, November 27

• Truce x The Enigma Mansion (Ho Chi Minh City) – 9pm–midnight
• Carrots x Dry Wave (Bangkok) – 9pm–midnight

Saturday, November 28

• Unfinished Project x Dead Poets (Hong Kong) – 6–9pm
• Dualism x Vender (Taichung) – 8–11pm
• Salty Fish x Raw + Atelier (Ho Chi Minh City) – 8–11pm
• The Cocktail Club x Alice (Seoul) – 8–11pm

With several shifts overlapping, you'll want to map out your must-visit bars in advance. Or just accept that your cocktail itinerary may require some tough decisions.

Opening Party: Bangkok Takes Over The Gunawarman

Tuesday, November 24 | The Gunawarman

What better way to kick off Jakarta's first cocktail week than with a Bangkok bar takeover? The official opening party at The Gunawarman brings together three talents from Thailand's ever-evolving cocktail scene: Dicky Hartono of Firefly, Ryan Dela Vega of Aqua Bar, and Niks Anuman of G.O.D. Expect an evening of Bangkok-inspired cocktail creativity, plenty of industry reunions, and a proper introduction to what promises to be a very busy week. If you're traveling to Jakarta specifically for the festival, this is the night to arrive in time for.

Cocktail Village: One Big Celebration of All Things Boozy

Friday, November 27 | Sudirman Hall, Sequis Tower, SCBD

Not sure where to begin with Jakarta's bar scene? Start here. The JCW Cocktail Village is the festival's main gathering point, bringing together cocktail brands, leading Indonesian bars, food vendors, music, and entertainment for a full day of festivities. Best of all? Entry is free.

Expect pop-up booths from bars across Indonesia, offering an opportunity to sample drinks from different cities without having to leave Jakarta. A curated lineup of local F&B partners will also be on hand to keep everyone fed between rounds. Unlike the guest shifts, which are scattered across the city, Cocktail Village offers the chance to experience a broad cross-section of Indonesia's cocktail culture in one place. Whether you're a dedicated cocktail enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a well-made drink and a lively atmosphere, this is the festival's most accessible event.

Cocktails for a Cause: The Star Bar

Bar Leone, Hong Kong

Penicillin, Hong Kong

One particularly noteworthy addition to Cocktail Village is the Star Bar, featuring prominent Indonesian bartenders alongside Hong Kong's Bar Leone, crowned The World's Best Bar 2025 and 2026 and Hong Kong's Penicillin, another globally-ranked dram den with a second outpost in Shanghai. Even better, 100% of profits from Star Bar sales will be donated to charity.

A chance to drink cocktails from some of the industry's best while supporting a good cause? We'll cheers to that.

Masterclasses and Industry Talks: A Little Education Between Libations

 Indra Kantono of Singapore's Jigger & Pony

Jon Lee of Kuala Lumpur's Penrose

Cocktail Week isn't all late nights and bar hopping. There's also plenty of opportunity to learn a thing or two from the people shaping Asia's drinks industry. JCW will host a series of masterclasses and panel discussions featuring leading regional hospitality figures.

Among the confirmed speakers are Indra Kantono of Singapore's Jigger & Pony and Jon Lee of Kuala Lumpur's Penrose, both representing bars that have helped define contemporary cocktail culture in their respective cities. Panel discussions will be moderated by Ray Janson, bringing together industry voices to exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives on the evolving bar scene. These educational sessions are scheduled to kick off ahead of the Cocktail Village festivities on November 27, making Friday a particularly good day to spend immersed in all things cocktails.

Specific topics, times, and registration details have yet to be announced, so keep an eye on the official festival channels for updates.

Nightcaps: Because One More Drink Never Hurt the Itinerary

Just because the guest shifts have wrapped up doesn't mean the night's over. In true cocktail week fashion, JCW has lined up a series of late-night after-parties to keep the festivities going well beyond the final official pour.

The nightcap schedule includes:

• Wednesday, November 25: Jaya Pub
• Thursday, November 26: Bottom Parlour
• Friday, November 27: Duckdown Bar

These gatherings are designed to bring visiting bartenders, local industry professionals, and cocktail enthusiasts together after the evening's guest shifts. Think less formal tasting session, more catching up with old friends, making new ones, and swapping stories over a final round.

Closing Party: Asia's No. 1 Bar Sends Jakarta Off in Style

Saturday, November 28 | Artesian Bar, The Langham, Jakarta

Artesian Bar, The Langham, Jakarta

All good things must come to an end, but Jakarta Cocktail Week is certainly going out with a bang.

The official closing party at Artesian Bar will feature Andrew Ho of Guangzhou's Hope & Sesame, which claimed the coveted No. 1 position on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 list. Known for its inventive approach to cocktails and pioneering role in China's modern bar movement, Hope & Sesame makes for a fitting finale to a week celebrating the exchange of ideas and talent across Asia. It's also a particularly exciting addition for anyone following the continued rise of China's cocktail scene.

READ MORE: Hope & Sesame Wins the No. 1 Bar on Asia's 50 Best Bars List 2026

Five days, countless cocktails, and one last chance to raise a glass before everyone heads home.

Road to JCW: The Party Starts Before November 24

Can't wait until the official festival kicks off?

You don't have to.

Throughout November 1–28, participating Jakarta bars will offer at least one special Road to JCW cocktail, giving locals and early arrivals a chance to get into the spirit of things before the main festivities. It's also a clever way to explore Jakarta's existing bar scene and discover a few favorites before the international guest shifts begin. Consider it a month-long warm-up. Strictly for research purposes, of course.

Planning Your Jakarta Cocktail Week Adventure

For anyone considering making the trip, here are the essential details.

Dates: November 24–28, 2026
Location: Participating cocktail bars across Jakarta, with the Cocktail Village at Sudirman Hall, Sequis Tower, SCBD, South Jakarta
Cocktail Village Admission: Free entry
Pre-festival Cocktails: November 1–28 at participating bars
Where to Stay: The Langham, Jakarta and The Gunawarman are the festival's official hotel partners.
Getting Around: Bluebird is the official ride partner and will offer a special promotional code for festival-related journeys between November 24–28. Details are expected to be announced.
Festival Updates: Follow @jktcocktailweek on Instagram for the latest announcements, schedules, and event information.

As always with cocktail festivals, it's worth checking individual event details ahead of time, particularly for masterclasses, special guest shifts, and parties where capacity may be limited.

A Toast to Jakarta's Cocktail Future

Jakarta has plenty to offer beyond its nightlife, but for five days this November, the city's cocktail scene is taking center stage. What makes the inaugural Jakarta Cocktail Week especially promising is its emphasis on collaboration rather than competition, bringing together established international names and Indonesia's own bartending talent under one festival umbrella.

From Hong Kong heavyweights and Bangkok boundary-pushers to Shanghai superstars and Penang personalities, the guest list offers a snapshot of just how interconnected Asia's cocktail community has become. And with the Cocktail Village, educational programming, and late-night celebrations all adding to the mix, there's something here for everyone – whether you're a seasoned industry insider or just beginning to discover the world of craft cocktails.

One thing's for sure: Jakarta is ready to shake things up.

Cheers to the first of many Jakarta Cocktail Weeks!