AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival Returns to Cape Town

Greetings and salutations Cocktail Lovers! We hope this message finds you well, perhaps with a cocktail in hand and the spirit of adventure in your heart. It’s that time again: the AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival returns to Cape Town from 25 to 30 November 2025.

We couldn’t be more delighted to invite you to join us for a week-long celebration of African cocktail culture, creativity, and connection.

AJABU, a Swahili word meaning miracle, wondrous, or incredible, captures the magic that unfolds when great drinks meet great company. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, AJABU has become a joyful tradition, a gathering of curious minds, spirited hearts, and generous pours.

What to Expect at the Festival

This November, the Mother City will once again come alive as the world’s top bartenders join South Africa’s leading mixologists to create something truly special with local and international brands.

Together, they’ll craft remarkable cocktails inspired by our continent’s flavours, stories, and imagination, showcased through AJABU Mashups and our signature pop-up collaborations, taking place in over 30 of Cape Town’s most beloved bars.

Workshops, tastings, and masterclasses designed for both cocktail enthusiasts and professionals will also feature prominently during the week.

Unlock Half-Price Cocktails with Your Wristband

With your AJABU wristband, you can explore these bars and local brands across Sea Point, Kloof Street, Bree and Loop Street, and the V&A Waterfront. This grants you the opportunity to enjoy half-price signature cocktails at R86 each, collecting stamps in your AJABU Passport along the way and celebrating the Art of the Cocktail.

To secure your complimentary tickets, visit ajabufestival.com for full details and register now on Quicket.

Once registered, collect your wristband from one of our AJABU Welcome Desks in Sea Point, Bree Street, Kloof Street, and the Waterfront, open daily between 3 pm and 7 pm, from Saturday, 22 November to Saturday, 29 November.

Celebrate Africa Night and International Collaborations

On Thursday, 27 November, we raise a toast to the continent for Celebrate Africa Night, featuring eight of Africa’s best bars, including Hero from Kenya, just voted Best Bar in Africa by Worlds 50 Best. These talented mixologists will be creating amazing cocktails in pop-ups (Mashups) with local bars, showcasing the incredible diversity of talent and ingredients on the continent.

Then, on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November, we’ll be joined by ten world-class international bars for a spectacular finale of 10 Mashups with local bars, celebrating community, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Complimentary Passes and Retail Offer

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our ever-growing community. As we head into the heart of the season and gear up for this year’s AJABU Cocktail & Spirits Festival in Cape Town and next year’s events in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, we’re celebrating by giving away 1,586 complimentary festival passes to everyone who registers in November 2025.

Your pass unlocks R86 cocktails across all participating bars and includes entry to all venues and events this year.

Additionally, your pass unlocks an exclusive 10% promotion with AJABU’s retail partner, Norman Goodfellows, online from 24th November to 15th December for any of our brand partners at the festival (subject to stock availability). The promotion code will be provided once you have collected your wristband.

In the spirit of love and friendship, Colin Asare-Appiah, Mark Talbot Holmes, and our Collaborators, Cassandra Eichhoff, Sabrina Traubner, Josh Sarembock, Evert de Jong, Alecs Besier and Aimee May D’Onofrio.

Follow @ajabufestival on Instagram for the latest updates, line-ups, and festival highlights.

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