The Caribbean is no longer just a vacation backdrop for mai tais by the pool: it’s officially staking its claim as a serious cocktail destination. And the Caribbean Cocktail Tour, which launched in January 2026, is proof.
This isn’t your typical bar crawl. It’s a bold, month-long initiative that united three of the region’s most influential drinking destinations: Bon Vivants (Nassau, The Bahamas), Library by the Sea (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands), and La Factoría (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico). Together, they’re rewriting the narrative on Caribbean cocktail culture: one cross-island pop-up, collaborative menu, and educational seminar at a time.
If you’ve been sleeping on Caribbean bars, consider this your wake-up call.
Three Islands, Three Icons, One Vision
The Caribbean Cocktail Tour is the brainchild of some of the region’s leading bar operators, each bringing their own distinct style and storytelling approach to the table. Here’s the lineup:
Bon Vivants (Nassau, The Bahamas)
Bon Vivants is The Bahamas’ first true craft cocktail bar, and it shows. Think meticulous presentation, rare spirits, absinthe service, and an all-day café-to-cocktail vibe that blends Bahamian heritage with Hemingway-inspired romance. It’s a favorite among travelers and locals alike: and a standout on the 50 Best Discovery list.
Kyle Jones, co-founder of Bon Vivants, has spent the last decade championing cocktail culture in the Caribbean. For him, this tour is the natural evolution of a movement that’s been quietly gaining global traction.
“This is about showing the world what the Caribbean can do,” Jones says. “We are producing bars, bartenders, and cocktail programs that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best. The talent, the creativity, and the stories are here: and this tour is our invitation for everyone to experience them.”
Library by the Sea (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
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Located inside the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Library by the Sea is a story-driven cocktail bar where every drink reads like a chapter. Their “liquid narratives” pair rare spirits, contemporary technique, and literary inspiration into cocktails that feel more like an experience than a beverage. It’s earned them the #30 spot on North America’s 50 Best Bars: and for good reason.
Jim Wrigley, beverage manager at Library by the Sea, sees the tour as a unique opportunity to celebrate creativity and heritage across the region.
“The Caribbean Cocktail Tour is a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity and heritage behind our region and our craft,” Wrigley explains. “It brings together three islands, each with its own culinary history and perspective, and three incredible bar programs to create a platform that encourages collaboration and learning.”
La Factoría (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico)
If you’ve been to Old San Juan, you’ve probably heard of La Factoría. This cultural phenomenon features eight interconnected rooms: salsa dens, speakeasies, wine bars, and dance-driven late-night hideaways: and has been shaping Latin American bar culture since 2013. Currently ranked #32 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, La Factoría is the beating heart of Puerto Rico’s cocktail renaissance.
Co-founder Roberto Berdecia sees the tour as a chance to unite the Caribbean bartending community and remind the world what the region is capable of.
“This tour represents the spirit of Caribbean bartending: vibrant, inventive, and deeply rooted in culture,” Berdecia says. “When we join forces across islands, we create something bigger than ourselves. We share knowledge, celebrate our traditions, and highlight the incredible talent that exists here.”
How the Tour Worked
The Caribbean Cocktail Tour took place over three weekends in January 2026, with each bar team traveling to the others’ islands to host immersive takeovers and educational sessions. Here’s how it went down:
January 9-10: Nassau, The Bahamas
Hosted by Bon Vivants, the tour kicked off with warm Bahamian craft and a celebration of local heritage.
January 23-24: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Library by the Sea took center stage, showcasing their signature “liquid narratives” and literary-inspired cocktails.
January 30-31: San Juan, Puerto Rico
La Factoría closed out the tour with “Boricua” hospitality and the vibrant energy of Old San Juan’s nightlife scene.
Each stop featured collaborative menus, cross-pollinated techniques, and a deep dive into the unique flavors and stories that define each island. It wasn’t just about the drinks: it was about the culture, the craft, and the connections.
Diageo Reserve: The Strategic Partner
The tour was made possible in partnership with Diageo Reserve, which brought its leadership in premium spirits, storytelling, and innovation to the table. For a collaboration of this scale, having a partner that understands the nuances of craft cocktails and cultural storytelling was essential.
Diageo Reserve’s involvement helped amplify the voices of Caribbean bartenders, giving them a platform to share their creativity and shape the next era of hospitality across the region.
Why This Matters for the Food and Beverage Industry
The Caribbean Cocktail Tour is more than just a series of pop-ups: it’s a statement. For years, the food and beverage industry has looked to New York, London, and Tokyo as the epicenters of cocktail innovation. But the Caribbean? It’s been quietly building something special.
This tour proves that world-class cocktail programs don’t just exist in the Caribbean: they’re thriving. And they’re ready to compete on the global stage.
For hospitality professionals, restaurant owners, and beverage directors, the takeaway is clear: collaboration over competition. When industry leaders come together to share knowledge, celebrate regional identity, and push creative boundaries, everyone wins.
The Caribbean Cocktail Tour also highlights a critical trend in the beverage industry: regional storytelling. Consumers: especially Gen Z and millennials: are increasingly drawn to brands and experiences that have a sense of place, authenticity, and cultural depth. The tour delivered on all three.
What’s Next for Caribbean Cocktail Culture?
If the Caribbean Cocktail Tour is any indication, the region’s cocktail scene is just getting started. With bars like Bon Vivants, Library by the Sea, and La Factoría leading the charge, the Caribbean is positioning itself as a must-visit destination for serious cocktail enthusiasts.
And for the food and beverage industry at large, this tour is a blueprint for how regional collaboration can elevate an entire sector. Whether it’s wine regions in California, craft breweries in the Pacific Northwest, or coffee roasters in Latin America, the lesson is the same: when you unite around a shared vision, you create something bigger than yourself.
Final Pour
The Caribbean Cocktail Tour wasn’t just about great drinks (though there were plenty of those). It was about celebrating the talent, creativity, and stories that make Caribbean bartending special. It was about showing the world that the Caribbean isn’t just keeping up with the global cocktail scene: it’s helping define it.
For Kyle Jones, Jim Wrigley, and Roberto Berdecia, the tour represents a movement that’s been years in the making. And if you ask us, this is just the beginning.
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Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success, Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
