The Heartbeat of SoCal’s Cocktail Scene
Behind every expertly crafted cocktail in Southern California stands a community of passionate professionals constantly pushing boundaries. From San Diego’s laid-back beach bars to the sleek rooftop lounges of Los Angeles, SoCal bartenders embody a unique blend of innovation, sustainability consciousness, and multicultural influence.
What sets our region’s bar culture apart isn’t just technical skill—it’s the collaborative spirit, the dedication to local ingredients, and the willingness to challenge conventions while honoring tradition. Whether you’re a veteran mixologist, newly behind the stick, or managing a venue, this curated calendar connects you with the Southern California bartender events that matter in our vibrant industry.
These gatherings aren’t just professional obligations—they’re where real relationships form, techniques evolve, and the next trends emerge. Consider this your insider roadmap to navigating Southern California’s most influential industry events, month by month.
A Year-Round Calendar of Top Bartender Events in Southern California
January
- Dine LA Restaurant Week (Winter Edition)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
A citywide dining event featuring special menus at hundreds of restaurants, creating high-volume service opportunities for bartenders and industry networking.
February
- San Diego Winter Brew Fest
Location: San Diego, CA
Showcases craft beverages from across California with specialized mixology workshops and networking opportunities for industry professionals.
March
- OC Wine & Spirit Fest
Location: Silverado, CA
Annual industry gathering featuring Irish whiskey showcases, craft beer pairings, and specialized mixology demonstrations with a focus on spring ingredients. - Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Featuring celebrity chef demonstrations, craft cocktail competitions, and premium wine/spirits tastings with industry networking events.
April
Photo Credit: Nick Hogan (Mover & Shaker), 2024 Bartenders Weekend @ Coco Maya
- Bartender’s Weekend
Location: San Diego, CA
Industry-focused gathering with competitions, seminars, and networking events exclusively for working bartenders. - California Wine Festival (Dana Point Edition)
Location: Dana Point, CA
Experience the quintessential California wine tasting and enjoy hundreds of California’s finest vintage wines, delicious gourmet foods samples and lively music. - Cocktail Championship
Location: San Diego, CA
More underground but well-respected among working bartenders; focuses on technique, creativity, and speed.
May
- Joshua Tree Music Festival
Location: Joshua Tree, CA
Not strictly a bar event, but many bartenders and industry folks from SoCal attend. It’s a great networking spot for those in the craft beverage scene. - Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Upscale event connecting bartenders with luxury brands and high-end clientele.
June
- Art Beyond the Glass
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Annual charity event showcasing bartenders’ artistic talents beyond mixology. Features specialty cocktails alongside music performances, visual art, and creative expressions from the region’s top bar talent, with proceeds supporting local arts organizations. - California Wine Festival (Carlsbad Edition)
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Experience the quintessential California wine tasting and enjoy hundreds of California’s finest vintage wines, delicious gourmet foods samples and lively music. - The Culinary & Cocktail Clash
Location: Anaheim, CA
Annual fundraising competition where restaurant executives pair with student chefs while bartenders showcase craft cocktail innovations. Industry professionals network while supporting culinary education, raising substantial funds for high school programs across the state.
July
- California Wine Festival (Santa Barbara Edition)
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Experience the quintessential California wine tasting and enjoy hundreds of California’s finest vintage wines, delicious gourmet foods samples and lively music. - Dine LA Restaurant Week (Summer Edition)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
A citywide dining event featuring special menus at hundreds of restaurants, creating high-volume service opportunities for bartenders and industry networking.
August
Photo Courtesy of The California Restaurant Show
- The California Restaurant Show
Location: Anaheim, CA
Major industry exhibition featuring equipment, supplies, and professional development opportunities for all restaurant staff. - Tiki Oasis
Location: San Diego, CA
The largest and longest-running tiki event in the world, drawing bartenders and enthusiasts for five days of tropical cocktail workshops, rum tastings, and Polynesian-inspired entertainment.
September
Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Rum Fest
- California Rum Festival
Location: Long Beach, CA
Educational seminars and tasting events focused on rum varieties and Caribbean-inspired mixology. - San Diego Spirits Festival
Location: San Diego, CA
Celebrating craft spirits with masterclasses and competitions for industry professionals.
October
- California Wine Festival (Huntington Beach Edition)
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Experience the quintessential California wine tasting and enjoy hundreds of California’s finest vintage wines, delicious gourmet foods samples and lively music. - Los Angeles Mezcal & Tequila Festival
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Focused on agave spirits with educational seminars for bartenders seeking specialized knowledge – because you can’t spell tequila without LA! - Los Angeles Whiskey Festival
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
Celebrating whiskey culture with masterclasses for bartenders and hospitality professionals.
November
- California Craft Beer Summit
Location: Irvine, CA
Educational conference for beer professionals with crossover events for cocktail specialists. - Palm Springs International Food and Wine Festival
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Desert destination event featuring premium spirits and resort-style service training.
December
- WhiskyX Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Annual whiskey tasting event featuring premium brands, craft cocktails, and live music. Attracts industry professionals from across Southern California with specialized masterclasses and networking opportunities.
Networking at Southern California Bartender Events Year-Round
The rhythm of Southern California’s bar industry follows these seasonal gatherings—each offering unique opportunities to grow your craft and expand your network. What truly distinguishes SoCal’s bartending community is its blend of technical precision, creative audacity, and genuine camaraderie.
Remember, the connections made at these Southern California bartender events often lead to collaborations, job opportunities, and friendships that define careers. Whether you attend one event or dozens, each represents a chance to contribute your voice to our evolving industry.
Tag us in your event photos, share your experiences, and let us know which Southern California bartender events impacted you most. The Southern California bartending community thrives because professionals like you show up, participate, and push our collective craft forward.
Here’s to another year of shaking, stirring, and celebrating together!
