AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival - Cape Town (March 2026)

AJABU 2026: Africa’s Leading Cocktail Festival Returns to Cape Town - Celebrating Craft, Culture, Community and The Art of The Cocktail.

Africa’s most dynamic cocktail and spirits festival, AJABU, returns to Cape Town from 11 - 15 March 2026, for the 5th edition, uniting some of the world’s finest bartenders with Africa’s most exciting bar talent.

Born from the Swahili word meaning miracle or something wondrous, AJABU continues to redefine Africa’s position on the global drinks stage — not just through its world-class events, but by building pathways for education, equity, and representation across the industry.

A festival that celebrates more than cocktails.

AJABU has evolved into a global movement that champions creativity, community, and connection. Each festival edition brings together leading local and international bars to collaborate on exclusive seminars, workshops, experiences and AJABU Mashups; unique one-night pop-ups designed to Celebrate the Art of the Cocktail through African ingredients, stories, and style.

AJABU Mashups

This season, guests are invited to explore select bars across Cape Town, each offering a signature half-price crafted cocktail (R86) as part of the festival menu. Celebrating collaboration and creativity, globally recognised local distillers, makers, and bar owners as well as international brands have joined forces to curate a series of inspired menus that showcase the very best of Cape Town’s bars, brands and cocktail culture.

Discover the bars, bartenders, local brands and more information by following our social media platforms for updates.

The following international bars will be joining AJABU to celebrate Africa and the growing AJABU community:

1. Bella Dolce Vita - Accra, Ghana
2. Front/Back - Accra, Ghana: Discovery Bar, The World’s 50 Best Bars.
3. Funky Monkey - Diani, Kenya: Discovery Bar, The World’s 50 Best Bars.
4. Hero - Nairobi, Kenya: Ranked No.70 on The World’s 50 Best Bars and awarded Best Bar in Africa.
5. LAB Bar Revival - London and Cape Town: LAB popped up in Cape Town in 2002 and this was the birth place of The Porn Star Martini.
6. Press Club Cocktail Bar - Washington DC; USA: Top 10 Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar nod and two Pinnacle Guide PINs
7. Revolver - Nairobi, Kenya: 50 Best Discovery and Tales of the Cocktail
8. Sip & Guzzle - New York City, U.S.A.: Best New U.S. Bar TOTC 2025, #5 North America’s @50bestbars 2025, #39 World’s @50bestbars 2025
9. Sol Lounge Bar - Accra, Ghana: Discovery Bar, The World’s 50 Best Bars.
10. APT 195 Revival: Charlotte Voisey's pioneering all female barteam.

The Festival

Get Involved as AJABU Celebrates the Art of the Cocktail from 11 - 15 March 2026.

Festival access is complimentary and includes entry to all participating bars and festival events.

Tickets & Registration:

• Festival access is complimentary and includes entry to all participating bars and festival events.
• AJABU Welcome Desks will be available from Wednesday 11 March 2026 to Friday 13 March 2026 from 4-7pm at Batanga (70a Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town), HiBall (61 Shortmarket St, CBD, Cape Town), Bokeh (84 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town) and Cause Effect (The Rocket Shed, 280 Rock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town) to collect your AJABU Festival bracelet following your registration online.
• Attend workshops, tastings, and masterclasses for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
• Collect stamps in your AJABU Passport as you follow the AJABU Cocktail Festival

What to Expect

• Cape Town will come alive with AJABU Mash ups: World-class bartenders from leading international bars, collaborating with South Africa’s finest bartenders to create once-in-a-lifetime cocktail experiences.
• Across the city, you’ll find unique pop-ups, collaborations, and consumer events, all celebrating African ingredients, creativity and hospitality.
• Explore more than 30 Cape Town bars with your AJABU wristband for 4 nights from Wednesday to Saturday.
• Wristband holders can enjoy a unique half-price signature cocktail at R86 in each of these 30 bars on any night during the festival.
• Your pass also unlocks an exclusive 10% promotion with AJABU’s retail partners, Norman Goodfellows, online for 3 weeks from 10th March to 1st April for any of our brand partners at the festival. You will receive this unique code at the welcome desks (brand subject to stock availability).
• On Thursday 12th, is Celebrate Africa Night with 8 of the top bars from across Africa, including Hero from Kenya (Best Bar in Africa at Worlds 50 Best), popping up across Cape Town creating exceptional cocktails.
• On Friday 13th and Saturday 14th, there will be an additional 10 of the world's top international bars popping up with some of the finest bars in the city creating amazing cocktails celebrating local ingredients.

How It Works

1. Register for your wristband by buying your complimentary ticket.
2. You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code.
3. Show your QR code at the Welcome Desks to unlock access to all festival events.

We look forward to sharing all the friendship, love and pleasure of AJABU with you this November – a true celebration of African excellence in cocktails and spirits.