Greetings Foodtopia fans! Delicious farm fresh food might be what we’re known best for here in Asheville, but we certainly love a well crafted beverage to pair with those tasty bites. That’s why out of all of the great Asheville events, we get especially excited for Asheville Cocktail Week- hosted annually and featuring many of Asheville’s best restaurants and craft cocktail bars! This year’s event starts this week and is filled with craft cocktail courses, food and beverage pairings, dance parties and much more!
Below are specific details from the event page:
Launched in May of 2016, Asheville Cocktail Week became the first full week long cocktail event in the Southeast. After four successful years of our one day mixology event, ELIXIR, the decision was made to expand to a week filled with cocktail events. With the growing number of regional distilleries, our signature event ELIXIR still holds as being one of the largest cocktail and distilling events in the South East.
We aim to have a variety of events at every price point so that no one is excluded from participating in Asheville Cocktail Week. Cocktail week features trainings and seminars, pairing dinners, spirit tastings, cocktail parties, and cocktail competitions.
This year, we have the goal of building on the foundation we created the previous 2 years by involving even more regional and national distilleries, bars, mixologists, and sponsors to create the week long party that celebrates the unique vibe that Asheville, NC has to offer.
Of course, one of the trickiest parts of Asheville Cocktail Week is figuring out which of 
the many amazing, innovative and tasty events to attend. So for our fellow Foodtopia fans we’ve rounded up several events taking place at some of our favorites downtown establishments that are sure to be a hit!!
Tuesday May 1st
Bar Takeover at S&W Times
with talent from Brendan O’Neill and Josh Woodbridge from Seattle, WA. Sponsored by Diagio. 9:00 pm
Bar Takeover at Imperial Life
9:00 PM with Michael Barten. Sponsored by William Grant
Wednesday May 2
Bar Takeover at S&W The Times
Bar talent from Jaqueline Bruening & Liam Lynch from Jacksonville, FL. Sponsored by Pernod Ricard.
9:00 PM
Thursday May 3
ELIXIR Craft Cocktail Competition
7:00 – 9:00 pm @ The Historic Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville
ELIXIR is the event that started it all, and it is one not to be missed! Now in it’s 6th year, ELIXIR promises to bring another exciting evening of collaboration between mixologists and spirit specialists. This ticketed public event provides tastings from distilleries, industry relevant vendors, and mixologists from bars and restaurants around Asheville. It’s a fun environment for the public to get in front of drink specialists while they demo and provide sample drinks in a structured competition style forum. All participating mixologists collaborate with one of the participating distilleries. The bartender + distillery pair share a table during the event to showcase their cocktail created together.
Elixir Craft Cocktail Competition is being put on with support from The Chemist — a new distillery that is coming to the South Slope of Asheville.
Friday May 4
Bar Takeover at Aux Bar
9:00 pm. @ Aux Bar. Sponsored by Jagermeister.
This bar takeover is unlike no other. AUX Bar will be hosting a late night dance party on the patio with a cocktail list featuring Jagermeister cocktails and DJ Zati throwing down some tunes.
Bar Takeover at Social Lounge
9:00 PM @ Social Lounge. Sponsored by George Dickel.
Monday May 7
Monday May 7, 2018
1:00 PM @ The Rhubarb
Lisa McGrath Jameson National Brand Ambassador.
Comprehensive tasting and brand training with one of Jameson’s top trainers in the US. Rhubarbs own Spencer Shultz will be incorporating Irish coffee. Email Matt Wingo if you have questions.
Full list of Asheville cocktail events available here!
While you’re at it, why not enjoy some delicious food and drink pairings on our walking food tours this week as well? The weather could not be more beautiful and now is the perfect time to be strolling around many of Asheville’s best restaurants and learning all about downtown along the way!
For more information visit our website at www.eatingasheville.com.
Cheers Asheville!!
