Bali Cocktail Exchange: Where Bali's Bar Scene Meets the World
Bali's cocktail scene is having a moment — and the island is about to make that conversation considerably bigger.
Making its debut from 12–17 September 2026, Bali Cocktail Exchange (BCX) brings bartenders, bars and hospitality professionals from Bali, Jakarta and around the world together for six days of guest shifts, masterclasses, cocktail dinners and community events. Rather than positioning itself simply as another cocktail festival, BCX is built around the idea of exchange: bringing different bar cultures together and creating space for knowledge, creativity and collaboration.
And for anyone who thinks a cocktail event is simply an excuse to order another drink, think again. There is plenty happening behind the bar, too.
Six Days, Three Bali Destinations
BCX takes over three of Bali's hospitality hubs throughout its inaugural edition, beginning in Ubud on 12–13 September, moving to Seminyak on 14–15 September, and finishing in Canggu on 16–17 September.
The format means there is no single festival ground to navigate. Instead, the exchange moves through the island, with participating venues hosting guest shifts, collaborations and special events.
It is a suitably Bali approach to a cocktail gathering: less convention centre, more hopping from one bar to another.
Meet the Bars Behind the Bars
One of the biggest draws is the international line-up. BCX's inaugural programme brings names including COA, Penicillin, Bar Us, Penrose, Native, Hope & Sesame, Union Trading Co., Alice Cheongdam, CMYK, Reka:Bar and G.O.D, alongside bartenders and bars from Jakarta and Bali.
The idea is not simply to import international cocktail culture for a week. Visiting teams will work alongside Bali's hospitality community, creating guest shifts and collaborations where techniques, ingredients and ideas can move in both directions.
In other words, expect plenty of cocktails — but with a side serving of cultural exchange.
It Is Not Just About Night-Time
For those who prefer their cocktail education before midnight, BCX has an industry programme running alongside the evening events.
The schedule includes six masterclasses, with sessions led by figures and teams from Penrose, COA, Raiza Carrera, Native and CMYK, as well as a collaborative Q&A bringing bartenders together for a wider conversation. Four bartender brunches are also planned, giving industry professionals an opportunity to connect outside the bar environment.
Topics range from agave spirits and sustainability to visual identity and the journey of a local community towards a global audience, according to the official programme.
Expect Some Serious Guest Shifts
Of course, the part most cocktail lovers will be watching is the guest-shift programme.
Throughout the week, visiting bartenders take over participating Bali venues for one-night collaborations. One example is CMYK's takeover at The Shady Pig in Berawa, where CMYK founder Ethan Liu brought the Changsha bar's approach to modern cocktail-making to Bali on 16 September.
Meanwhile, Alice Cheongdam takes over meimei in Canggu on 17 September, with Terry Kim joining the Bali bar for a special guest shift.
For cocktail enthusiasts, this is arguably where BCX becomes most fun: rather than watching bartenders compete from a distance, guests get to experience different bar philosophies directly across the counter.
A Cocktail Dinner, Too
BCX also brings cocktails into the dining room with a dedicated cocktail dinner pairing, creating a meeting point between food, spirits and bartending.
One of the highlighted collaborations is a special cocktail dinner featuring COA at Origen, adding a more culinary dimension to the week.
Because naturally, in Bali, even a cocktail programme eventually finds its way back to the table.
The Community Village Comes to Canggu
The week concludes with the BCX Community Village at Regent Bali Canggu on 16–17 September, and this is the part designed specifically to bring the wider public into the exchange.
The two-day programme includes tastings, brand activations, educational sessions and flair demonstrations, alongside Balinese traditional dance and music and the Balinese Speed Challenge. Local producers, hospitality brands and cocktail enthusiasts will also be part of the gathering.
That combination makes the Community Village particularly interesting: international cocktail culture meets local ingredients, traditions and hospitality, rather than existing separately from them.
More Than Just Cocktails
Behind BCX is Yayasan Budaya Sajian Minuman Bali, a non-profit organisation established to support Bali's hospitality and beverage community. Founded by Jas Farras and Vandena Yanarta, the Bali Cocktail Exchange was created as a platform for local and international hospitality professionals to connect, learn and collaborate.
The long-term ambition is for BCX to become an annual platform, strengthening connections between Bali's bar community and the wider international cocktail world while continuing to spotlight the island's own talent and identity.
And perhaps that is what makes Bali Cocktail Exchange worth watching. It is not only asking what the rest of the world can bring to Bali's bar scene. It is creating a space to ask what Bali can bring to the world of cocktails, too.
For a taste of what happens when Bali's cocktail community gets together, read our coverage of Baba Meet Night.