Montreal Cocktail Fest 2025 | 5 Must-Try Experiences to Stir Up Your Spring

Top 5 Sips & Shakers: What Not to Miss at Montreal Cocktail Fest 2025🍹
Previewed by Best Kept MTL’s team of secret seekers 🎟️ Click here for tickets

Summer is finally around the corner in Montreal 🌞 and things are blooming, cocktail culture included. One of the city’s most exciting hospitality events, Montreal Cocktail Fest 2025 (MCF25), is returning for its 2nd edition from May 18-21 with a 4-day lineup of 50+ events.

Think international bar takeovers, intimate tastings, cutting-edge seminars, boozy dinners, and citywide pop-ups designed to awaken your senses. As usual, Best Kept MTL is on the scene with our team of secret seekers, previewing the most vibrant moments before they shake things up.

🍸 1. Baltra Bar (Mexico City) Takeover at Stillife – May 19

Transport yourself to CDMX without leaving the Plateau. Baltra Bar, ranked among the world’s best will be mixing up exotic, boundary-pushing cocktails at Stillife, one of Montreal’s coolest minimalist venues. Expect bold flavors and a packed room of cocktail lovers. ✨

🍹 2. PHI Centre Brand Exhibition – May 19–20

Explore the future of booze. This brand activation event at PHI features 20+ premium spirit and beverage brands under one roof. Think exclusive tastings, creative mixology, and face time with industry innovators. It’s a cocktail nerd’s paradise and a visual feast for the ‘Gram 📸

🍴 3. Tulum-Inspired Pairing Dinner at Marusan – May 20

Foodies, this one’s for you. Marusan hosts a sun-drenched, Tulum-themed dinner where chef-crafted dishes meet spirit-forward pairings. If you crave curated luxury with your cocktails, reserve this as your big night out for the Montreal Cocktail Fest 2025 🌮🍹

🎳 4. “F*ck It, Let’s Go Bowling” Takeover – May 21

MCF’s final-day wildcard event is the most irreverent on the schedule. Two international bars transform a local bowling alley into a neon-soaked, highball-fueled party zone. Reserve here. It’s part throwback, part sensory overload and a perfect way to close out the fest with friends 🎳🍸

🍴 5. A Curious Dinner with Hendrick’s – May 21

On Wednesday night, Hendrick’s brings its peculiar charm to Old Montreal for a whimsical evening at Barroco. This elegant 3-course dinner (+ amuse bouche) pairs each dish with inventive gin cocktails crafted to intrigue and delight. Think rose, cucumber, and curiously curated botanicals, all set in a cozy, candlelit space. A refined yet playful way to toast the start of the festival. Reserve here. Time: 6:00 PM – 10:30!

🥂 Crafted by Montreal’s Finest, Featuring Hendrick’s Gin

Across all events, festivalgoers can expect cocktails crafted by some of Montreal’s top mixologists, using a standout lineup of sponsored spirits. Among the most anticipated this year is Hendrick’s Gin, whose playful sophistication and unique infusion of rose and cucumber have made it a staple behind the world’s best bars.

With roots in Scotland and a philosophy that embraces the “curious,” Hendrick’s brings a full selection of gins from the classic to limited releases like Orbium, Neptunia, and Flora Adora. Keep an eye out for inventive cocktails showcasing this iconic brand’s botanical brilliance, each pour a nod to eccentricity and refined taste.

🎊 Sip, Celebrate & Stay In The Loop

From rooftop lounges to underground surprises, Montréal Cocktail Fest is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic hospitality events of the year. These are just 5 of the 50+ experiences you can explore, and Best Kept MTL will be on the scene uncovering the stories behind the sips with curated coverage, interviews, and on-the-ground content. 🍸

Montréal Cocktail Fest is the ultimate gathering for hospitality professionals, offering a unique chance to connect, learn, and celebrate the vibrant cocktail culture of the city. With masterclasses, tastings, and creative activations, this event is a must-attend for anyone in the industry. Click here to see the full schedule and get your tickets.

Each week, we highlight the Top 5 Vernissages in Montreal, offering a curated look at the city’s most interesting art openings. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, it’s a great way to discover new galleries and connect with Montreal’s art scene. Click here to see this week’s selections.