May 13 to May 19, 2008

This is just the second San Francisco Cocktail Week -- a new annual event from a collection of organizations invested in the art of mixology.

Three notable mixologists -- Jeff Hollinger (Absinthe), Duggan McDonnall (Cantina) and H. Joseph Ehrmann (Elixir) -- co-founded this celebratory week to showcase the culture, history and artistry involved in shaking (or stirring), and then imbibing in the perfect drink.

There's a free Opening Gala on Tuesday, May 13 (at Harry Denton's Starlight Room) followed by several days of events:

• Farmers' Market Cocktails - May 14 (5:30p to 7:30p)
  CUESA Kitchen at the San Francisco Ferry Building
• International Guest Bartender Night - May 14 (8p to close)
  Visiting renowned bartenders mix drinks at participating bars
• A Night of Cocktail Dinners - May 15 (times vary)
  Dinners paired with cocktails at participating restaurants
• Save the Sazerac - May 15 (3p to 8p)
  Celebrate age-old Sazerac cocktail at Elixir
• Literature, Booze and History - May 17 (5p to 7p)
  Benefit for San Francisco Museum and Historical Society at the Salon at Hotel Rex
• Finale at Absinthe - May 19 (6p to 10p)
  Guests will sample a collection of drinks, including absinthe-based cocktails

See the San Francisco Cocktail Week website for full details and tickets (where necessary).

Festivities held in partnership with The Museum of the American Cocktail, The United States Bartender’s Guild, Imbibe magazine, Tales of the Cocktail, CUESA, and leading San Francisco and Bay Area restaurants and bars.

^{Photo © Ingrid Taylar}