Tales of the Cocktail^®

Tales of the Cocktail 2026 is July 19-24, 2026!

With hundreds of opportunities developed specifically for industry professionals, from bartenders to distillers, Tales of the Cocktail® is the drinks industry’s annual meeting place for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques, featuring in-person education, tastings, networking, and awards programming.

Since 2002, the global spirits community has gathered in the heart of the French Quarter for Tales of the Cocktail. What started as an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars has now become the world’s leading cocktail conference.

Buy Tickets Conference Agenda

Enter to Win 2 Tasting Week Passes to Tales of the Cocktail 2026!

Do you have an all-time favorite moment from #totc?! We want to hear about it! For a short time only, we’re offering YOU the chance to win 2 free Tasting Week Passes to join us at #TalesoftheCocktail2026! All you have to do is:

Click here to like this post on Instagram
Post your #TalesoftheCocktail throwback
Tag us in your post: @tales_of_the_cocktail

and you’ll be entered to win! Our winner will be selected at random on Thursday, June 18th.

Sweepstakes Rules

Be Part of TALESGATING!

Join our sustainability efforts by carpooling to Tales of the Cocktail 2026 and be entered to win prizes, including a $50 gift merch gift card per person in your car or Seminar + Tasting Passes for TOTC2027!

Don’t forget to deck out your ride! All you need to do to enter is:

Decorate your vehicle with TALESGATING however you please
Share a photo of your group and car en route to TOTC2026
Tag us in your TALESGATING posts

Contest runs from July 17th to July 24th.

Contest Rules

Book Your Stay at a Tales of the Cocktail Hotel Block

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to once again partner with some of New Orleans’ most beautiful hotels in proximity to the Conference’s headquarters at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

Seven hotels have provided a room block and special rate for 2026 attendees, including:

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans,
Courtyard New Orleans French Quarter/Iberville
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
Hotel Theo
Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans
JW Marriott New Orleans
The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Book Now

Tales of the Cocktail FAQs

What is Tales of the Cocktail®?

Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has grown from an annual walking tour of historic New Orleans cocktail bars into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year, the international bar and spirits industry is welcomed to New Orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking, and special events. With hundreds of opportunities developed specifically for bartenders, distillers, cocktail enthusiasts, and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail is the industry’s annual meeting place for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques.

Who attends Tales of the Cocktail?

Tales of the Cocktail is an international conference for spirits industry professionals with the primary focus of educating all levels of the bartending trade. If you love a good cocktail and want to learn more about the spirits world, you’d also love to attend this event! While many of our bar guests (or cocktail enthusiasts) are welcomed attendees, the event’s purpose is to provide a platform to educate, advance, and support the global drinks industry.

How old do you have to be to attend?

Do I need a Festival Entry Pass to attend?

Yes, a Festival Entry Pass is required to attend any Tales of the Cocktail event. It is included in all passes or can be purchased separately for $25.

The Festival Entry Pass grants you access to select Wellness Workshops, Fitness Classes, the Beyond the Bar Lounge presented by Maison Perrier, and the 100s of exciting RSVP Events our partners host throughout New Orleans.

Festival Entry Pass Includes Access To:

RSVP Events throughout New Orleans
Toast to Tales on Monday, July 20
Keynote on Monday, July 20
Beyond the Bar Lounge Presented by Maison Perrier
Louisiana Department of Health: Overdose Prevention Workshop on Monday, July 20
Generational Sobriety: A Live Recording of ‘No Proof’ on Tuesday, July 21
Reset + Recharge Workshop presented by Proximo on Wednesday, July 22
OWN!T: Hospitality Self Defense Workshop on Wednesday, July 22
Beyond the Bar Daily Group Runs & Workout Events
Barware Shop by Barfly
Bookstore & Bitters Market
Merch Bar by Mover & Shaker Co.

Sign Up to Volunteer at Tales of the Cocktail 2026!

Give back to the drinks industry and make the most out of your trip to New Orleans by volunteering at Tales. All volunteers who work at least 10 hours will receive a Tasting Week Pass (valued at $175)!

Learn More