Napier has always had a certain swagger. There’s the Art Deco architecture, the vineyards, the coastline, the sunshine, the espresso bars and the restaurants that make you feel as though you’ve temporarily wandered into a Mediterranean holiday.
And now there’s another reason to put Napier on your must-visit list: Negronis.
This September, the Hawke’s Bay city is making a serious (albeit unofficial) bid to become New Zealand’s Negroni Capital, with Napier Negroni Week returning from 21–27 September 2026.
If you’re wondering what exactly a Negroni is, it’s one of Italy’s most famous cocktails – a beautifully simple combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, traditionally served over ice and finished with an orange garnish. It’s bitter, slightly sweet, citrusy, sophisticated and, importantly, rather stronger than it looks.
Which is why Napier’s organisers have some very sensible advice: don’t attempt to sample all 30-plus versions in one evening.
Thirty ways to drink a Negroni
Hosted by the Napier City Business Association, this year’s event features 18 venues across Napier’s CBD and Ahuriri, with more than 30 different Negroni variations available to try.
There’ll be everything from classic versions to creative riffs, served up in wine bars, cocktail bars, pubs and restaurants.
So, take the week, take it easy, sip slowly and enjoy.
Sound advice, particularly given the Negroni’s reputation for being deceptively easy to drink.
As Anthony Bourdain famously observed, it’s the perfect drink – but it can apparently hit you “like a freight train”.
Consider yourself warned.
Napier Negroni Week coincides with International Negroni Week, the global celebration of the iconic cocktail, and the festivities will culminate in a street party on Sunday, 27th September.
Think spring sunshine, good food, live entertainment, and plenty of atmosphere.
Honestly, that sounds like a pretty good invitation.
The competition is serious
Of course, it’s not just about drinking cocktails. There’s a little healthy competition involved too.
The judging panel from last year’s event is back, with winemakers Gordon Russell and Amy Hopkinson-Styles assessing this year’s creations across two categories: Classic and Riff.
And there are some serious contenders to beat.
Hastings Street bar and tap room Rogue Hop took out last year’s Classic category with its Negroni made using local spirit producers Hastings Distillers. The judges praised it for being balanced, beautifully chilled and rather lovely to look at.
Meanwhile, Casa and Vinci’s shared the honours in the Negroni Riff category. Casa’s Dessert Negroni brought cherry juice into the mix, while Vinci’s White Negroni offered a lighter, more unexpected take on the classic.
For Gordon, however, a winning Negroni isn’t simply about getting the ingredients right.
“Each entry needs to perfect its texture, its balance and its taste,” he says.
But the cocktail itself is only part of the experience.
Is the venue welcoming? Is the service warm? Is the music good? Does the whole experience make you want to stay for another drink, order some food and come back again?
Those things matter, too.
Why Napier?
There’s actually something rather fitting about Napier embracing the cocktail.
The city is famous for its Art Deco heritage, and cocktails have their own connection to the era. What people sometimes forget is that cocktails were connected to this time period too – you might step out to go to a dance, listen to jazz, and enjoy a cocktail or two.
Suddenly, a Negroni in Napier makes perfect sense.
There’s something wonderfully old-school about sitting somewhere stylish with a beautifully made cocktail in hand, particularly when the backdrop is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive cities.
Planning your Negroni adventure
To help visitors (and locals who fancy discovering somewhere new), organisers have created both a digital and print map showing participating venues across the city.
And with more than 30 Negronis to work your way through, it’s probably best approached as a leisurely week-long adventure rather than a one-night challenge.
Because let’s be honest: the joy is surely in choosing a venue, ordering a Negroni, settling in, trying something delicious to eat and enjoying the atmosphere – rather than treating it like an Olympic event.
And if Napier does manage to claim the unofficial title of New Zealand’s Negroni Capital along the way?
Well, we can think of worse things to be famous for.
Napier Negroni Week runs from 21st–27th September, 2026, with the celebrations culminating in a street party on 27th September. Tasting notes and recipes from the 2025 competition are available via the Negroni Week Napier Instagram page.