Yerevan Cocktail Week 2026 sets out with a clear ambition: to expand the very idea of mindful drinking by weaving in the art and history of Armenia. Here, awareness extends beyond inclusive practices and a focus on quality, engaging directly with the millennia-old narrative of this Caucasian nation. That historical dimension becomes the central thread of the fourth edition of Yerevan Cocktail Week (YCW), scheduled from Monday, May 4, to Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Yerevan Cocktail Week 2026 Engages with Armenian History
Bringing a country’s history into a beverage-focused event requires stepping outside the venues typically associated with such gatherings — bars — and involving cultural institutions. Bars remain integral to the program, but they are joined by the Museum of Folk Arts and the History Museum of Armenia.
Gegam Kazarian, founder of YCW, explains: “In Yerevan, mixology becomes a language of interpretation, where ingredients, aromas and rituals tell stories rooted in centuries of Armenian culture.” At the Museum of Folk Arts, for instance, international bartenders will craft non-alcoholic drinks inspired by the works on display, drawing on a distinctive ingredient: one of Armenia’s purest mineral waters.
International Guests
No cocktail week would be complete without voices from abroad. The exchange of global perspectives remains essential to the evolution of any local scene. Yerevan Cocktail Week 2026 brings together, among others, Mauro Mahjoub, Zoltan Nagy, Andras Farray and Cristian Bugiada.
The Vision of Gegam Kazarian
Until a few years ago, Yerevan occupied a peripheral position on the global mixology map. That changed rapidly when bartender and entrepreneur Gegam Kazarian founded Yerevan Cocktail Week.
From the outset, the goal was explicit: to spark a renaissance in Armenia’s bar scene by fostering international connections, spotlighting local brands and introducing guests to new ways of preparing and experiencing drinks. Four years on, in 2026, the results are visible. The process continues, but the direction is clear.
“We are discovering new brands, creating new faces and influencing the marketing and positioning of the bar industry, which becomes richer and more engaging each year,” says Kazarian. “This is precisely the ambition of Yerevan Cocktail Week — as an intercultural platform, a learning environment and a space for networking among professionals, where ideas translate into lasting impact.”
Photo courtesy Yerevan Cocktail Week
