WORLD CLASS US 2026 COCKTAIL FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL INFO
Throughout the week, make your way to Offshore Rooftop at Navy Pier. This is where the competition comes to life—where you can taste, explore, and get closer to the brands behind every pour. And when the rounds pause, the city takes over. Step out into Chicago and experience its bar scene at full volume—World Class cocktails, unforgettable venues, and the energy that keeps this industry moving.
COCKTAIL FESTIVAL
World Class isn’t just a competition—it’s a city-wide takeover. It’s on menus, behind bars, and in conversations.
Ready to explore? Find the spots. See what bartenders are pouring across Chicago and taste a World Class cocktail for yourself. This is where competition meets real life— where ideas move from stage to service.
Check back here soon to see what's being poured across the city.
DIAGEO BRAND EXPERIENCES
Between rounds, the bars stay open. This isn't just downtime—it’s the pulse of World Class. Every day, different brands step in to take over the space, sharing experiences and pouring the liquid that defines our industry.
It’s about more than just a drink; it’s about the energy in the room, the hands-on experience, and being the first to taste what’s next. Grab a glass, catch the vibe, and see why these brands are the heart of the competition.
RSVP TO OUR EXCLUSIVE
WORLD CLASS EVENTS
Chicago, get ready. World Class is taking over the city, and you’re on the list. Browse our events, grab your RSVP, and we’ll see you there!
All events are 21+, RSVP is required, and attendance is first-come, first-served.
Let’s make it a night.
The World Class Cocktail Festival is where the spirit of the US Competition spills out into the streets of Chicago.
We’re transforming the city into an immersive cocktail destination for both industry masters and enthusiasts. From legendary institutions to hidden gems, explore our curated list of Chicago’s best bars and restaurants to experience a World Class cocktail for yourself.
COCKTAIL FESTIVAL
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ALL DAY
BRAND
EXPERIENCES
ZACAPA
KETEL ONE
DON JULIO
TANQUERAY
OBAN
LAGAVULIN
RITUAL
JOHNNIE WALKER
BLADE & BOW
SEEDLIP
ZACAPA
ABOVE THE CLOUDS Join Zacapa for an elevated tasting experience featuring signature serves crafted with the brand’s award-winning rum. Meet Master Blender Lorena Vásquez and Global Ambassador Vanessa Leon as they share the story and artistry behind every sip. Settle in, savor the moment, and enjoy a refined, sky-high escape!
KETEL ONE
THE MARTINI MOMENT Step into the Ketel One Martini Moment to enjoy a selection of classic cocktails, served in the iconic martini glass, including the Espresso Martini, Cosmopolitan, and Dirty Martini, each balanced and intentionally made. Designed as an inviting moment to pause and indulge, discover how Ketel One elevates every serve through quality ingredients and expert execution. We look forward to welcoming you!
DON JULIO
MADE TO BE RAISED WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCE As an Official FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Supporter, Tequila Don Julio is taking over the World Class Finals with a soccer-inspired experience. Just like an athlete at the top of their game, we’re celebrating the world’s best bartenders through exceptional craft and competition with a bottle that’s made to be raised.
TANQUERAY NO. TEN
THE MARTINI STANDARD BY TANQUERAY NO. TEN A refined expression of modern martini culture, The Martini Standard positions Tanqueray No. TEN as the benchmark for craftsmanship and taste at World Class. This experience invites trade guests to engage with the precision, balance, and versatility that define a world-class martini.
OBAN
SINGLE MALTS WELCOMES YOU TO THE WHISKY CITY Join Diageo's premier Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, Oban and Lagavulin, as we transform The Windy City into The Whisky City. From the Lagavulin peat fields, to the Oban bay, celebrate the rituals and hands-on moments that define true craft, all underneath the Chicago skyline.
LAGAVULIN
SINGLE MALTS WELCOMES YOU TO THE WHISKY CITY Join Diageo's premier Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, Oban and Lagavulin, as we transform The Windy City into The Whisky City. From the Lagavulin peat fields, to the Oban bay, celebrate the rituals and hands-on moments that define true craft, all underneath the Chicago skyline.
RITUAL
THIS ROUND'S ON RITUAL Join Ritual Zero Proof at World Class for a laid-back, bartender-led experience built around the Ritual Round. Throughout the day, guests will gather for recurring moments where cocktails are passed and the conversation turns to Ritual’s 1:1 replacement advantage in real cocktail builds. We can’t wait to see you there.
JOHNNIE WALKER
BLACK CASK EXPERIENCE Discover the art of personalization with the Johnnie Walker Black Cask Experience. At the Old Fashioned Bar, guests create a cocktail tailored to their flavor profile, highlighting the rich, bourbon-cask character of Black Cask. In the Blenders Lab, they step into the role of blender, mixing signature whiskies and finishing with a rapid cask infusion that brings depth, vanilla, and toasted oak to life. A modern expression of blending crafted entirely your way.
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BLADE & BOW
ELEVATED TASTES WITH BLADE AND BOW Come sample elevated cocktails featuring Blade and Bow's signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Taste for yourself how Blade and Bow's solera aged bourbon mingles to craft a naturally bold sour.
SEEDLIP
THE GARNISH GARDEN Join Seedlip at World Class for a fresh botanical experience centered around garnish, flavor, and discovery. Guests will enjoy a beautifully crafted Garden 108 cocktail, then be guided through one final flourish from our curated garnish carts to reveal the drink’s aroma and character in a simple but memorable way. We can’t wait to share it with you.