Inside Johnnie Walker’s Sabrina Carpenter-inspired Grammy...

Photography Getty ImagesFebruary 5, 2026Music / NewsMusic / NewsInside Johnnie Walker’s Sabrina Carpenter-inspired Grammys weekend

To celebrate music’s biggest night, and its partnership with Sabrina Carpenter, the whisky brand took over Los Angeles with a series of activations, parties and signature cocktail

ShareLink copied ✔️February 5, 2026February 5, 2026TextIsabel Bekele

Though awards shows are exciting in their own right, it’s the parties (and after-parties) surrounding them that bring the actual fun. After all, it’s after nightfall that people share their hot takes, make predictions about the awards ahead and, of course, toast to the talent being celebrated. Last weekend, musicians, creators and celebrities did just that during Johnnie Walker’s Los Angeles takeover.

Inspired by Sabrina Carpenter, a six-time Grammy nominee and partner of the brand, the classic liquor label hosted several events throughout the already jam-packed weekend, with nods to Carpenter’s instantly recognisable tracks everywhere. Each bash centred around the ‘Go Go Highball’ cocktail, a blend of Johnnie Walker Black Label, ginger ale and sour cherry juice. It’s a play on Carpenter’s Go Go Juice track – but true Carpenters will know that. If you’ve somehow been living under a rock and escaped knowing the words to at least one of Carpenter’s viral hits, you’d definitely be caught up after attending one of Johnnie Walker’s recent Grammys events.

Between a drone show above Capitol Records, post-game at a very LA-coded diner and after-party with Universal Music Group, it was a whisky-packed sprint to remember. Below, we unpack what went down.

The fun started with a sunset kickback Pin It

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30 - Photo by Ph

Photography Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

To kick off the weekend, Johnnie Walker hosted friends of the brand for sunset drinks at the Aster Hotel’s rooftop bar. As guests who came from far and wide to attend the Grammys trickled in, jet lag was brushed to the side as excitement for the awards ahead began to settle in.

The night was written in the stars Pin It

Photography Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

Once party-goers had their fill of food and snacks, the night was lit up by a drone show and cocktail projection spotlighted onto the Capitol Records building. With a storied history (and an artist roster that includes names like Ice Spice, Troye Sivan and Doechii), the building looming above served as a physical reminder of the music industry’s presence in the city.

Then came the afters Pin It

Getty Images

Even those who usually cap the night at one venue – myself included – made excuses to keep the evening going. The next stop was Max and Helen’s, a central LA restaurant that’s diner-esque interior is reminiscent of countless Americana movie scenes. Like all of the weekend’s events, the party drew an eclectic mix; Colman Domingo was spotted in a booth with members of the Elevator Boys (Germany’s answer to The Hype House), if that gives you any indication of the scene’s mix.

The weekend ended with UMG Pin It

Photography Getty Images

Following Sunday night’s awards, the weekend closed out with Universal Music Group’s after-party, where Johnnie Walker was the official spirits sponsor. While major stars were present (Suki Waterhouse was seen trotting around in UGGs), the party also saw appearances from the industry’s most exciting emerging artists, including flowerovlove, Alemeda and Theodora.

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