Belfast is preparing to once again become the centre of the whiskey world as Belfast Whiskey Week returns for its eighth and most ambitious year yet – transforming the city into a nine-day celebration of whiskey, food, cocktails and culture.
Running from Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August 2026, the festival has evolved from a grassroots whiskey gathering (Belfast Whiskey Club*) into one of Ireland’s leading drinks and cultural events, attracting visitors, distilleries and hospitality partners from across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
This year’s edition promises to be the biggest to date, with organisers unveiling an expanded city-wide programme designed to showcase not only Belfast’s rich whiskey heritage, but also its thriving nightlife, hospitality and creative scene.
Alongside its acclaimed tastings, masterclasses, distillery showcases, whiskey walks and the flagship Whiskey Expo, Belfast Whiskey Week will introduce three new festival strands:
Belfast Fringe Fest: A new city-wide fringe programme bringing unexpected whiskey experiences, live entertainment, collaborations and pop-up events to venues across Belfast.
Belfast Cocktail City: A celebration of Belfast’s booming cocktail culture, featuring innovative serves, guest bartenders and whiskey-led cocktail experiences from some of the city’s top bars and hospitality talent.
Belfast Food Fest: A curated programme pairing world-class whiskey with Belfast’s celebrated food scene, highlighting local chefs, restaurants, producers and immersive dining experiences.
Since launching in 2019, Belfast Whiskey Week has welcomed thousands of visitors through its programme of tastings, tours, talks and immersive events, while helping position Belfast as a major destination on the international whiskey map.
Festival Director Paul Kane said the expansion reflects the growing ambition and international reputation of the festival:
“What started as a passion project for Belfast’s whiskey community has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. For our eighth year, we wanted to create a festival that truly celebrates the entire city – its people, its venues, its creativity and its incredible hospitality. The introduction of Fringe Fest, Cocktail City and Food Fest allows us to shine a spotlight on every corner of Belfast’s drinks and cultural scene. Belfast Whiskey Week is no longer just a whiskey festival – it’s a celebration of Belfast.”
Michael Stewart, Belfast’s Night Czar, said the festival continues to play a major role in showcasing the city’s growing reputation as a destination for culture and nightlife:
“Belfast Whiskey Week has become one of the defining events in the city’s cultural and hospitality calendar. Its continued growth demonstrates the confidence, creativity and energy that exists within Belfast’s night-time economy. The addition of food, cocktail and fringe programming creates an even broader platform for local businesses, artists and venues to collaborate and showcase what Belfast does best.”
Tickets for Belfast Whiskey Week start at £15. For further details visit www.belfastwhiskeyweek.com or follow Belfast Whiskey Week on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @belfastwhiskeyweek #BWW26 and #irishwhiskeyfest.
About Belfast Whiskey Club*
Belfast Whiskey Club has been sharing their love of whiskey with enthusiasts in Belfast since 2016 and has been hosted by the Duke of York since 2017. The Duke of York and Friend at Hand is a hub of all things Whiskey, and has been the inspiration for Belfast Whiskey Week. Belfast Whiskey Club is a not-for-profit Membership Club.
Sponsors:
Dillon Bass
the Creationists
Room2
Redbreast
Urban Bar
Serac Ice
Long Bridge Drinks
Invisible Building
Cathedral Quarter BID
In collaboration with:
Irish Whiskey Magazine, Bushmills, Powers, Redbreast, Method & Madness, Copeland Distillery, Glens of Antrim Distillery, Dingle Distillery, W.D. O’Connell Whiskey, Dragon Claw, Killowen Distillery, Jameson, Shortcross Whiskey, Titanic Distillery, Echlinville Distillery, R&R Distillery, McConnell’s Distillery, Limavady Whiskey, Two Stacks Whiskey, Spots Whiskies, Midleton, Roe & Co, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Loch Measc Distillery, Ahascragh Distillery, Lough Ree Distillery, Glendalough, The Irishman Whiskey, Douglas Laing, Launceston Distillery, Killara Distillery, Transportation Whiskey, Belgrove Distillery, The Angel’s Share, Born Irish.
Belfast Whiskey Club, Commercial Court Inns Ltd (Duke of York and The Friend at Hand), Europa Hotel, Belfast Walking Tours, Irish Whiskey Review, Belfast Hidden Tours, Oh Donuts, Poke Club, Daisies, Mamo Patisserie, Taste & Tour.
Participating venues:
Room2, The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, The Duke of York, Friend at Hand, The Deer’s Head, Maddens, Hearth, Common Market, Holohan’s Pantry, Morning Star, Neighbourhood Café, Daisies, The Garrick, John Hewitt, Roam, the Academy Restaurant, Angel & 2 Bibles, the Watson, Flame, The Merchant Cocktail Lounge, Ulster Sports Club, The Second Fiddle, McConnell’s Distillery, Copeland Distillery, Hinch Distillery, Titanic Distillers, Rademon Estate Distillery, Blake’s of the Hollow, Pizza Punks, Killowen Distillery, Two Stacks and Jukō.
