Cocktails In The City Rome

A London format chooses Rome

Cocktails In The City is an urban festival dedicated to mixology that originated in London, where it saw ten consecutive sold-out editions before crossing the Channel. In May 2026, the format chose Rome as its first stop in continental Europe, bringing to the capital a way of presenting cocktails that combines technical quality, education, and entertainment. The project is led by Andrea Fofi, a Roman entrepreneur active in the national drinking scene and a promoter of events such as the Rome Bar Show.

The Botanical Garden as a stage

The choice of location is no coincidence: the Rome Botanical Garden, located at Largo Cristina di Svezia 23A, at the foot of the Janiculum Hill in the heart of Trastevere, is one of the city's most beautiful historic gardens. Twelve hectares of botanical collections, the rose garden, the herb garden, the bamboo grove, and the monumental greenhouses become the setting for a bar-hopping journey over three evenings. This choice also has a narrative value: contemporary mixology thrives on botanicals, infusions, barks, citrus, and aromatic herbs, and here the public encounters them in their living form, just steps away from the bar counter.

Around twenty pop-up bars

The heart of the event is the constellation of pop-up bars set up along the paths: Roman and Italian establishments recreate their identity in miniature and serve signature cocktails designed specifically for the festival. Participating venues include Blind Pig, Botanist Bar at the Aleph Hotel by Hilton, Rem & Led Dragon, Rino Montesacro, Nucleo Bar, Smile, and Ceralacca, joined by establishments from outside Rome such as Zest from Vicenza and Depero from Rieti. Alongside the bars, major international spirit brands—Campari, Aperol, Espolòn, Etsu Gin, Oyster Gin, Flor de Caña, Amaretto Adriatico—present their offerings at dedicated stands.

Masterclasses, workshops, and drinking culture

The program goes beyond the glass. Each day features masterclasses and workshops open to the public: from ice carving with Dolomiti Ice to preparing an Espresso Martini, from a Flor de Caña rum workshop to sustainable mixology sessions by Makeyougreen. On Saturday morning, before the evening opening, there is also an unexpected highlight: a yoga session with Mimosa Achtner of Oltre Pilates, reminding us that the culture of conscious drinking also involves wellness.

Music, food trucks, and atmosphere

The soundtrack is provided by DJ sets and live performances alternating on the garden stages, while the silent disco by Red Bull accompanies all three evenings. Five food trucks complete the offering with meatballs, burgers, pinsa romana, Asian cuisine, and desserts, while lounge areas invite guests to slow down between tastings. The atmosphere is that of a large neighborhood party reimagined on an international scale: informal yet refined, suitable for both enthusiasts and those approaching the world of signature cocktails for the first time.

A new date on Rome's calendar

With its 2026 debut, Cocktails In The City joins an already rich spring calendar for the Municipality of Rome and the entire Lazio region, in a city where the cocktail bar scene has grown enormously over the last decade. The event attracts a young and curious audience, offering a rare opportunity: visiting the Botanical Garden after sunset, with illuminated greenhouses and music rising among the palm trees. For Trastevere and the Province of Rome, it is another piece in a cultural offering that, in the month of May, gladly moves outdoors.