From Features Desk
The Norman JW Marriott in Delhi’s Aerocity was abuzz with energy on April 26-27 as the India Bartender Guild (IBG) hosted the much-anticipated India Bar Show 2025 (IBS 2025). This two-day extravaganza brought together the brightest minds in the beverage and hospitality industry – bartenders, brand ambassadors, beverage innovators and hospitality leaders from across India and the world.
More than just a trade show, IBS 2025 was a melting pot of creativity, competition and collaboration. With live exhibitions, masterclasses, tasting rooms, cocktail trails and high-stakes bartending championships, the event cemented India’s growing influence in the global bar scene.
Global Brands, Local Talent
One of the standout features of IBS 2025 was its role as a launchpad for international beverage brands entering the Indian market. Six global names chose the event to debut in India:
• VEG White (Poland)
• AI Form (Israel)
• Agave Society (Mexico)
• Tiny Non-Alcoholic Beers (New Zealand)
• Woodstock Beverages (Singapore)Almave Non-Alcoholic Tequila (Mexico)
One of the standout features of IBS 2025 was its role as a launchpad for international beverage brands entering the Indian market. Six global names chose the event to debut in India:
• VEG White (Poland)
• AI Form (Israel)
• Agave Society (Mexico)
• Tiny Non-Alcoholic Beers (New Zealand)
• Woodstock Beverages (Singapore)Almave Non-Alcoholic Tequila (Mexico)
This influx of international brands signals India’s rising prominence as a key market for beverage innovation. Archit Singhal, Founder of the India Bartenders Guild and organizer of IBS 2025, emphasized this shift:
“India Bar Show, organized by India Bartenders Guild, is proud to host the official National Bartender Championships for India to screen talents to represent India on a global platform. India Bar Show has revealed that India has arrived on the global stage in the alco-bev segment with global brands now actively seeking entry through Indian partnerships. We plan to make India Bar Show the ultimate platform for any beverage or bar brand entering India. A large format infrastructure will be ready by the end of the year to help these companies find the right partners and thrive in the Indian market,” stated Archit Singhal, Founder of the India Bartenders Guild and Organiser of India Bar Show, 2025.
Celebrating Excellence With Awards
Beyond brand showcases, the event honored the best in the business through the IBS Awards, recognizing excellence in hospitality and beverage innovation. The winners included:
• Best Hotel Bar – Grand Hyatt Goa
• Best New Cocktail Bar – Travis 1932, Jaipur
• Best Cocktail Bar – INJA
• Best Social Media Presence – Party Smart
• Best New Beverage Brand – Pekers Syrups
Beyond brand showcases, the event honored the best in the business through the IBS Awards, recognizing excellence in hospitality and beverage innovation. The winners included:
• Best Hotel Bar – Grand Hyatt Goa
• Best New Cocktail Bar – Travis 1932, Jaipur
• Best Cocktail Bar – INJA
• Best Social Media Presence – Party Smart
• Best New Beverage Brand – Pekers Syrups
These awards highlighted establishments and brands pushing boundaries in creativity, customer engagement and quality.
The Thrill of Competition
The heart of IBS 2025 was its high-energy bartending competitions, where mixologists and flair bartenders from over 10 countries battled for top honors. Hosted under the aegis of the India Bartender Guild, these contests were a true test of skill, precision and artistry.
The heart of IBS 2025 was its high-energy bartending competitions, where mixologists and flair bartenders from over 10 countries battled for top honors. Hosted under the aegis of the India Bartender Guild, these contests were a true test of skill, precision and artistry.
NATIONAL MIXOLOGY WINNERS:
NATIONAL FLAIR WINNERS:
INTERNATIONAL MIXOLOGY WINNERS:
INTERNATIONAL FLAIR WINNERS:
BAR QUEEN CHALLENGE: SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BARTENDING
A special segment dedicated to celebrating women in mixology and flair bartending saw fierce competition with winners:
Networking, Learning and Celebration
Beyond the thrill of competition, IBS 2025 immersed attendees in a world of discovery and connection. Industry leaders took the stage for masterclasses and seminars, diving deep into emerging trends, sustainable practices and the finer points of cocktail craftsmanship. Meanwhile, tasting rooms and cocktail trails became playgrounds for the senses where bartenders and enthusiasts experimented with bold new flavors and cutting-edge techniques from global brands.
Beyond the thrill of competition, IBS 2025 immersed attendees in a world of discovery and connection. Industry leaders took the stage for masterclasses and seminars, diving deep into emerging trends, sustainable practices and the finer points of cocktail craftsmanship. Meanwhile, tasting rooms and cocktail trails became playgrounds for the senses where bartenders and enthusiasts experimented with bold new flavors and cutting-edge techniques from global brands.
The exhibition floor buzzed with energy thanks to
interactive brand activations – Bacardi, Grey
Goose, Patron, Bombay Sapphire, PartySmart,
Pekers Syrups and Pekers Ice transformed their
booths into dynamic hubs of creativity, offering
everything from hands-on demos to signature
pours.
As the sun set on the final day, the event reached its crescendo with a grand closing night and afterparty. Professionals from the U.S., Italy,
Russia, Poland, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and beyond clinked glasses, swapped stories and reveled in the shared passion that makes this industry so vibrant; a fitting finale to two days of innovation and camaraderie.
India’s Rising Influence
IBS 2025 wasn’t just a trade show, it was a statement. With global brands launching in India, international bartenders competing on Indian soil and homegrown talent making waves, the event proved that India is no longer just a market but a key player in shaping global beverage trends.
IBS 2025 wasn’t just a trade show, it was a statement. With global brands launching in India, international bartenders competing on Indian soil and homegrown talent making waves, the event proved that India is no longer just a market but a key player in shaping global beverage trends.
As Archit Singhal said, “We are proud to groom talent that exports Indian hospitality to the world.” With plans for a larger infrastructure by year end, IBS is set to become the definitive gateway for beverage brands entering India.
As the curtains closed on this year’s edition, one thing was clear: India’s bar scene is thriving and the world is taking notice.
