Kaohsiung Cocktail Festival to Feature 10 Top Japanese and South Korean Bartenders

Kaohsiung is set to host the '2026 Kaohsiung Hi Cocktail Festival' on August 29 and 30, transforming the Love River West Road into a vibrant hub for cocktail enthusiasts. This year's festival marks a significant upgrade, expanding its international reach by inviting 10 top-tier bartenders from Japan and South Korea to showcase their skills.

The event will feature a wide array of participants, including over 70 bars, restaurants, and popular food brands. A key highlight will be the more than 40 establishments offering exclusive, limited-edition cocktails created specifically for the festival. This expansion in participation underscores the growing significance of the festival as a major nightlife and economic driver for southern Taiwan.

Kaohsiung's Director of Tourism, Kao Min-lin, emphasized the festival's role in fostering international exchange. The number of international mixologists has more than doubled from the previous year, with notable figures like Minami Hiroshi, Hattori Ruka, and Kosaka Shun from Japan, and Kian, JD, Tachy, and Lee Jinrok from South Korea set to engage in a cultural exchange. This gathering promises to highlight the rich and innovative tapestry of Asian cocktail culture.

Beyond the mixology showcases, the festival will also feature a diverse range of local Kaohsiung bars and acclaimed brands from across Taiwan, including Taipei's 'To Infinity & Beyond' and Tainan's 'The Han-Jia Pairing Dinner,' both recognized in the '2026 Asia's 50 Best Bars' list. Early bird tickets are available, and special accommodation and dining packages have been arranged with local hotels to encourage tourism.

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Kaohsiung Hi Cocktail Festival is the most representative nightlife brand event in southern Taiwan. This year, we have expanded international exchanges, and the international cocktail lineup has significantly increased from 4 last year to 10.