From Features Desk
The world of bartending in India has just
witnessed a game-changer at the inaugural India
Bartender Week (IBW). From February 20 to 27,
2025, this vibrant, first-of-its-kind celebration
brought together the country’s most passionate
mixologists, bar owners, and industry experts for
a week packed with learning, creativity, and
camaraderie. The excitement culminated in the
India Bar Summit at Le Méridien Gurgaon, a
two-day extravaganza that pushed the
boundaries of what it means to be a bartender in
India today.
A Week of Raising the Bar
IBW kicked off in style with a Pre-Shift Toast, an industry-wide gathering of bartenders, media, and beverage enthusiasts to mark the beginning of a historic week. What followed was nothing short of a bartender’s paradise over 60 top bars across the NCR region joined in, curating special menus and experiences for Beverage Week. This was a golden opportunity for guests to explore the best India’s bar scene has to offer, from classic concoctions to boundary-pushing liquid innovations.
A Week of Raising the Bar
IBW kicked off in style with a Pre-Shift Toast, an industry-wide gathering of bartenders, media, and beverage enthusiasts to mark the beginning of a historic week. What followed was nothing short of a bartender’s paradise over 60 top bars across the NCR region joined in, curating special menus and experiences for Beverage Week. This was a golden opportunity for guests to explore the best India’s bar scene has to offer, from classic concoctions to boundary-pushing liquid innovations.
The India Bar Summit: Where Ideas Flowed
Freely
The grand finale, the India Bar Summit, was where IBW truly cemented its status as a groundbreaking event. Designed as more than just a cocktail party, the summit focused on education, skill development, and meaningful discussions about the future of bartending in India. The programming was structured into four engaging tracks:
• Main Stage: The big shots of the industry took center stage to share their insights. ‘The session Classics Forever’ by Yangdup Lama and Arijit Bose was a nostalgic deep dive into timeless drinks, while Erik Lorincz’s talk on reopening the legendary Kwãnt Mayfair 2.0 was an inspiring masterclass in resilience and innovation.
• Workshops: Learning by doing was the name of the game here. Sessions like ‘The Idea of Savory Project’ by Ajit Gurung and ‘Flavour Alchemy’ by Harinath Shanker, Aaashi Bhatnagar, and Jishnu AJ had attendees experimenting with new techniques and flavors.
• Future Room: This space was all about looking ahead.
The grand finale, the India Bar Summit, was where IBW truly cemented its status as a groundbreaking event. Designed as more than just a cocktail party, the summit focused on education, skill development, and meaningful discussions about the future of bartending in India. The programming was structured into four engaging tracks:
• Main Stage: The big shots of the industry took center stage to share their insights. ‘The session Classics Forever’ by Yangdup Lama and Arijit Bose was a nostalgic deep dive into timeless drinks, while Erik Lorincz’s talk on reopening the legendary Kwãnt Mayfair 2.0 was an inspiring masterclass in resilience and innovation.
• Workshops: Learning by doing was the name of the game here. Sessions like ‘The Idea of Savory Project’ by Ajit Gurung and ‘Flavour Alchemy’ by Harinath Shanker, Aaashi Bhatnagar, and Jishnu AJ had attendees experimenting with new techniques and flavors.
• Future Room: This space was all about looking ahead.
From fermentation
experiments by Payal Shah and Neil Alexander to the ‘Farm to Glass’
philosophy explored by Achintya Anand and
others, this track showcased the exciting
future of Indian mixology.
• Baithak: A pioneering initiative, Baithak became the first-ever Hindi-language programming space at an Indian bar event. Sessions like ‘Heat & Harmony – The Story of Leela’ by Sia Negi and Rajiv Mukherjee ensured that knowledge was accessible to a broader audience, breaking language barriers in the industry.
Breaking Barriers & Building a Community One of the standout initiatives of IBW was the ‘Handshake Grant’, an effort to provide opportunities to bartenders from across India. Over 200 applications from 15 cities and Goa flooded in, proving that talent in this industry was not limited to metro cities. It was a step towards inclusivity, ensuring that every bartender, regardless of location, had a shot at learning from the best.
• Baithak: A pioneering initiative, Baithak became the first-ever Hindi-language programming space at an Indian bar event. Sessions like ‘Heat & Harmony – The Story of Leela’ by Sia Negi and Rajiv Mukherjee ensured that knowledge was accessible to a broader audience, breaking language barriers in the industry.
Breaking Barriers & Building a Community One of the standout initiatives of IBW was the ‘Handshake Grant’, an effort to provide opportunities to bartenders from across India. Over 200 applications from 15 cities and Goa flooded in, proving that talent in this industry was not limited to metro cities. It was a step towards inclusivity, ensuring that every bartender, regardless of location, had a shot at learning from the best.
The Visionaries Behind IBW
Minakshi Singh, Co-Founder of IBW, summed up the emotions of the week beautifully: “When we started IBW, we wanted to create something meaningful. Watching bartenders from across the country come together, learn, and grow was magical. This is just the beginning of something bigger.”
For Yangdup Lama, another Co-Founder, the experience was about more than just drinks: “Bartending isn’t just about making cocktails; it’s about stories, culture, and human connection. Seeing people break barriers, share ideas, and elevate their craft this week was incredibly moving.”
Vikram Achanta, also a Co-Founder, highlighted the impact of IBW on young talent: “It wasn’t just about established industry leaders – it was about the next generation. Watching young bartenders eagerly take notes, ask questions, and push their creative limits was proof that the future of Indian bartending is brighter than ever.”
Minakshi Singh, Co-Founder of IBW, summed up the emotions of the week beautifully: “When we started IBW, we wanted to create something meaningful. Watching bartenders from across the country come together, learn, and grow was magical. This is just the beginning of something bigger.”
For Yangdup Lama, another Co-Founder, the experience was about more than just drinks: “Bartending isn’t just about making cocktails; it’s about stories, culture, and human connection. Seeing people break barriers, share ideas, and elevate their craft this week was incredibly moving.”
Vikram Achanta, also a Co-Founder, highlighted the impact of IBW on young talent: “It wasn’t just about established industry leaders – it was about the next generation. Watching young bartenders eagerly take notes, ask questions, and push their creative limits was proof that the future of Indian bartending is brighter than ever.”