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AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival

AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival is Back in Cape Town for a Summer Edition

AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival is Africa’s first bi-annual international celebration of fine spirits, mixology and the art of drinking. A summer edition of the event is happening in Cape Town from 20 to 24 November 2024.

A thrilling programme of world-renowned, international bars, diverse educational seminars and panels, and exciting new opportunities, such as the AJABU Scholarship Program are just some of the highlights.

AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival
Colin Asare-Appiah and Mark Talbot Holmes

What is the AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival about?

The event is curated by Colin Asare-Appiah (Bar World 100 Most Influential Figures 2023, Co-Author Black Mixcellence, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s 2024 Visionary Award Recipient) and Mark Talbot Holmes (founder of U’Luvka Vodka), AJABU – meaning ‘miraculous’ or ‘wondrous’ – aims to become Africa’s leading spirits and cocktail festival. 

As its name suggests, AJABU embraces the amazing diversity of the hospitality industry across Africa, connecting brands, bar trade, media, and cocktail enthusiasts, whilst supporting a new generation of African bartenders and hospitality professionals.

The second festival will include bartenders from up to 10 internationally acclaimed bars, spanning four continents, including Milady’s (New York), True Laurel (San Francisco), Jewel of the South (New Orleans), Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City), Atwater Cocktail Club (Montreal), Front/Back (Accra), Hero Bar (Nairobi), Jigger and Pony (Singapore), and Library by the Sea (Grand Cayman).

AJABU Cocktail and Spirits Festival

Here are all the participating cocktail bars in Cape Town

These global bars will each collaborate with the following outstanding local Cape Town bars to deliver exquisite and unique cocktail experiences celebrating African ingredients over three nights.

“We are excited to bring AJABU back to Cape Town, with another fantastic group of accomplished bars,” says Talbot Holmes. “We’re looking forward to seeing these bartenders work alongside the equally outstanding local establishments in one-of-a-kind pop-ups and informative seminars.”

Here are the featured bars:

Cause Effect
Tommy’s Chop Shop
Art of Duplicity
Hacienda
The Drinkery
The House of Machines
Anthm
Kloof Street House
Talking to Strangers
Fable
Tjing Tjing

What else is on at the festival + a scholarship programme for bartenders

AJABU will host a series of seminars and masterclasses for consumers, cocktail enthusiasts, spirits aficionados, and other members of the bar industry. These events are led by renowned industry veterans, such as Steve Olson, (co-founder Del Maguey, co-founder BAR Academy, co-founder of Stray Dog Gin and partner in Rieger Whisky), who will be leading masterclasses on Bourbon, Rye, and Kansas City whisky, Simon Ford (founder of Fords Gin), who will discuss all things gin, and more.

New to this year is the AJABU Scholarship Program, which is designed to uplift the African bar community specifically through educational, hospitality-focused courses. Educational institutions, brands, businesses, and even individuals can get involved through direct donations or purchase of courses, which have been provided by Professional Bar Training, Edinburgh Whisky Academy, and Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

While some courses have been allocated for the Sisterhood for Industry Support–one of AJABU’s several official charity partners–the remainder are available to any African-based applicant who works in the drinks industry.

Bartenders across the continent were invited to submit their applications during the rolling period, which has now closed as the select scholars will be judged and chosen by an independent scholarship board. 

Current board members include Eileen Wayner (CEO of Tales of the Cocktail, USA), Charlie McCarthy (Business Development – Spirits at WSET, UK), Christelle Reade-Jahn (Director SA Brandy Foundation, SA), Kojo Aidoo (Director Front Back, Ghana), Riche Barrow (F&B Manager Hero Bar, Kenya), Cairbry Hill (Professional Bar Training) and CloéAuger (Global Trade Advocacy Manager Campari, Italy). Scholarship winners will be announced at the beginning of November and awarded at the Community Brunch celebration on Thursday, November 21st.

“The inaugural AJABU Festival was a remarkable first step in our mission to showcase Africa’s vibrant hospitality scene through pop-ups, panels, and tastings,” says Asare Appiah. “To now introduce a scholarship program for bartenders across the continent, allowing them to hone their craft and deepen their expertise, is a milestone beyond anything I could have envisioned when we embarked on this journey.”

How to book tickets

Ticket registrations for this year’s festival are available to book via Quicket. AJABU will host its third week-long event across both Johannesburg and Cape Town in March, in partnership with the Cape Town Beverage Show.

Cost: Entrance to the events is free, but registration via Quicket is required. Drinks for your own account

When: Running from 20 to 24 November 2024.
Where: Various cocktail bars in Cape Town

Website: ajabufestival.com

See more food and drink updates in Cape Town

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