Penang Cocktail Week Is Back, Here’s What To Expect

Mark your calendars because Penang Cocktail Week is not only back, but set to be bigger than ever. Here’s what lies in store.

Penang Cocktail Week is set to return for its fourth edition from 15 to 20 September, and that means attendees can expect another packed week of much-sought-after guest shifts, creative collaborations, instructive masterclasses, and cocktail-fuelled festivities to light up the island once again.

This year’s festival takes on the theme of “Welcome Home”, in a celebratory wink to the hospitality that has played an immense part in establishing Penang as one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting dining and cocktail destinations.

It’s not all about the drinks this time around though, with this year’s edition orbiting five core pillars that each reflect different facets of Penang’s culture and hospitality. You have Kaki Lang, which celebrates the people behind the industry through collaborations and guest shifts featuring an exciting lineup that includes both local bar darlings as well as some internationally renowned bartenders.

Makan Angin, meanwhile, encourages visitors to venture beyond the bars and explore the island’s neighbourhoods, culture, and all its hidden corners, while Jiak puts the spotlight on Penang’s legendary food scene through cocktail pairings, hawker collaborations, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences.

You won’t just come away with lingering traces of some of the best cocktails you’ve ever had and memories made with newfound friends, but you’ll bring back a wealth of knowledge too, as under the Kongsi banner, attendees can expect tastings, masterclasses, and educational sessions that are accessible and informative enough to captivate both industry professionals and curious enthusiasts alike.

And finally, to round things off with a resounding bang and forever imprint the occasion in your hearts and minds is Lau Juak, the festival’s closing celebration at Hin Bus Depot that brings together cocktails, live music, art installations, local vendors, and the wider community for one big closing party.

As with previous editions, Penang Cocktail Week will play host to an impressive roster of bartenders from around the world. Expect guests from cities including Montreal, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh, among many others.