For those based in Sydney — or simply passing through — the city is set to host one of the most compelling gatherings on the global cocktail calendar. From Tuesday, April 14 to Sunday, April 19, 2026, the fourth edition of the Maybe Cocktail Festival brings together 22 of the world’s leading bars in a single destination, offering a rare opportunity to experience them side by side, without crossing continents.
Maybe Cocktail Festival 2026 Returns to Sydney
At the center of the project is Maybe Sammy, the flagship cocktail bar of Maybe Group, founded by Italian duo Stefano Catino and Vince Lombardo. Since opening in January 2019, the group has expanded to six venues across Sydney, several of which will serve as key locations during the 2026 festival.
“Each year, we’ve aimed to raise the bar while staying true to the original spirit of the initiative,” says Stefano Catino. “The idea isn’t to stage something purely performative, but to bring behind our counters the bars that are shaping the industry on a global level. Sydney knows how to recognize a great drink. This week simply means you don’t have to book a flight to find one.”
The Line-Up: A Global Snapshot
The ambition of the Maybe Cocktail Festival 2026 is clear: to gather the international bar community in Sydney for a concentrated, high-level exchange. During the third week of April, the city will host an impressive roster of venues, many of them featured in The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Among them are Tres Monos from Buenos Aires, Alquímico from Cartagena, Connaught Bar in London, Locale Firenze, and Sip & Guzzle from New York. Mexico City is represented by a strong pairing: Handshake Speakeasy and Kaito del Valle.
The line-up continues with Bar Madonna in Brooklyn, Trick Dog in San Francisco, Wax On in Berlin, Smoke & Bitters from Hiriketiya Beach in Sri Lanka, Sin + Tax in Johannesburg, Montana in Hong Kong, and Atlas in Singapore. Australia, meanwhile, is represented by the venues of Maybe Group alongside three key Melbourne institutions: Above Board, Byrdi, and Caretaker’s Cottage.
One City, Six Nights, a Global Industry
The fourth edition confirms a format that has already proven effective. Some of Sydney’s most influential bars — including Maybe Sammy and El Primo Sanchez — will host a sequence of collaborations, guest shifts, and special events throughout the week.
Six nights, an international roster of bartenders, and a format designed to bring the world’s leading bar experiences into direct contact with a local audience. In practical terms, it offers access to a level of diversity and expertise that would otherwise require extensive travel. Read the full program here.
Images courtesy of Maybe Group
