Highball, New Zealand’s only dedicated cocktail and spirits festival, returns to Wellington on 7-8 May 2021 for its second year – this year sees a bigger venue, interactive experiences, cocktails, food, entertainment and more local and international distilleries than before. Held in the great hall of the historic art deco Dominion Museum Building, festivalgoers will be treated to more than 40 spirits, including gins, whiskies, rums, vodkas and other drops, served in cocktails and tasters from more than 20 Kiwi craft producers, such as Reid + Reid, Lunatic & Lover, Imagination and Koakoa, as well as international distilleries such as Monkey Shoulder whisky from Scotland and ClemenGold Gin from South Africa. Add in interactive whisky-blending sessions and mixology masterclasses, hosted by Wellington’s best bars and bartenders, and the newly rebooted New Zealand Bartender of the Year competition. Then, following on from Highball weekend keep the party going with Wellington Cocktail Week. Held across the capital’s best bars and venues, you can learn and imbibe at events and masterclasses or breeze in for a special cocktail or festival-only menus. highball.co.nz