World Class lists venues that produced globe’s best bartenders
It takes an outstanding bar to produce an outstanding bartender, and the 55 finalists who competed in the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final represent of the most exceptional venues on earth – places that consistently deliver unparalleled fine drinking experiences, promote the craft of mixology and are renowned for their excellent service and quality cocktails.
The World Class Best Bars in the World list gives each of these establishments – spread across 53 countries, with two venues on the open seas – a stamp of distinction, anointing them as places of high esteem and sophistication. World Class is to bars as the Michelin Guide is to restaurants.
The March Hare in Johannesburg has been included on the list. Domenico de Lorenzo – the best mixologist in South Africa, who represented the country at the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final – co-owns the March Hare, adding his unparalleled expertise in cocktail making to the venue’s behind-the-bar repertoire.
The March Hare, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is concealed under the Museum of African Design in Joburg’s trendy Maboneng Precinct, allowing guests to sip on South Africa’s finest cocktails prepared by South Africa’s finest bartender in an experiential haven secluded from the busy world outside.
The venue also offers training courses for aspiring mixologists, offering “the maximum amount of fun with the least amount of fuss” to bartending enthusiasts who want to elevate their skill from beginner to master status.
Dom de Lorenzo was a firm favourite among fans during the World Class competition, impressing spectators and judges alike with his resolve, technique and delivery – creating memorable cocktails such as the “Curious Case of the Malted Man”, the “Tokoloshe” and the “Chappies are the New Dollar”, which added elements of South African storytelling to the drinks making process.
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From Vietnam to Canada, Russia to Peru, even out on the ocean, the World Class programme has made sure that no matter where you are on earth there is a bar dedicated to enhancing your drinking experience.
“World Class is on a mission to make the world drink better – it is a mark of distinction that guarantees the absolute best in drinking experiences, whether that means the world’s best bartenders, bars, spirits, recipes or entertainment. But it is our bartenders that remain at the very heart of everything we do”, said Johanna Dalley, global director for World Class.
A full list of the World Class 55 Best Bars in the World, along with the champion bartender they produced:
| Country | Bar | Bartender |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Boilermaker House | Jack Sotti |
| Austria | Barracuda Barcatering | Philipp Ernst |
| Belgium | Diageo | Jurgen Nobels |
| Brazil | Grupo Vegas | Kennedy Nascimento |
| Bulgaria | By The Way | Dimitar Dimitrov |
| Canada | UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar | Lauren Mote |
| Colombia | Mai Tai Bar | Cesar Acero Sanchez |
| Costa Rica | Hotel Andaz Papagayo | Clark Jimenez Alvarado |
| Czech Republic | L’Fleur Bar | Vítězslav Cirok |
| Denmark | Open/Closes | Karl-Martin Edin |
| France | Le Florian | Paul Silvers |
| Germany | Shakekings | Marian Krause |
| Greece | Theory Bar and More | Emmanouil Lykiardopoulos |
| GTME | Celebrity Cruises | Santos Mercedes |
| Guatemala | Independiente “Nomada Cocktail” | Marvin Martinez |
| Hong Kong | Quinary | Antonio Lai |
| India | Drinks on MG | Alfonso del Portillo |
| Indian Ocean | Apoteek | Tristan Petit |
| Indonesia | Sofitel Nusa Dua Bali | Ayip Muhammad Dzuhri |
| Ireland | MVP | Anna Walsh |
| Israel | Bellboy | Ariel Leizgold |
| Italy | Replay the Stage | Francesco Cione |
| Japan | Lamp Bar | Michito Kaneko |
| Kenya | Royal Orchid Hotel | Akash Tomar |
| Lebanon | Central Station | Refaat Ghostine |
| Malaysia | Omakase & Appreciate | Yi Shawn Chong |
| Mexico | Licoreria Limantour | Fernanda Tejada |
| Morocco | Sofitel Royal Bay Agadir (Accor Group) | Brahim Hamouali |
| Netherlands | Door 74 | Tess Posthumus |
| New Zealand | Racket Bar | Phillip Spector |
| Norway | Raus | Jørgen Dons |
| Panama | Taberna Rasputin | Felix Cuevas |
| Peru | Bottega Dasso | David Romero |
| Philippines | ABV | Kenneth Bandivas |
| Poland | El Koktel | Mateusz Szuchnik |
| Portugal | Cinco Lounge | Jose Maria Robertson |
| Puerto Rico | Santaella | Michael Norat |
| Romania | PPD | Paul Sfirlea |
| Russia | Mendeleev Bar | Evgeny Shashin |
| Singapore | Tess Bar | Steve Leong |
| Slovakia | Gastronomy Group | Filip Navratil |
| South Africa | Molecular Bars | Domenico de Lorenzo |
| South Korea | Speakeasy Mortar | Byungjim Lim |
| Spain | Varsovia Bar | Borja Cortina |
| Sweden | Bar25 | Ted Filip Dako |
| Switzerland | Intercontinental Geneva | Olivia Hairay |
| Taiwan | Mandarin Oriental Taipei | Jacko Chang |
| Thailand | Why97 | Pongpak Sudthipongse |
| Turkey | Nopa | Kevin Patnode |
| United Arab Emirates | Zuma Restaurants | Mehmet N. Sur |
| United Kingdom | Hawksmoor | Alistair Reynolds |
| United States | Death & Co | Tyson Buhler |
| Vietnam | Urban Kitchen Bar | Duy Tu |
| Western Europe Central Team / Yachting (SS) | Sailing Yacht Marie | Jasmin Rutter |
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
About Diageo Reserve
Diageo Reserve represents the luxury division of Diageo, a multi-award winning portfolio of fine spirits rich in heritage, craftsmanship and innovation.
The World Class Collection of brands includes: Ciroc vodka, Tanqueray No. TEN and Tanqueray London Dry gins, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Platinum and Gold Label Reserve Scotch whiskies, Tequila Don Julio, Zacapa rum, Ketel One vodka, Haig Club single grain whisky, Bulleit Bourbon, Talisker, Mortlach Scotch whisky and Singleton single malt whiskies.
Diageo Reserve promotes responsible drinking.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Diageo Reserve World Class™
Diageo Reserve World Class™ is transforming fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world and in the home. The industry’s largest, most credible investment in the luxury on trade, it discovers the next generation of bartending talent who set the latest mixology trends and bring these to the best bars worldwide.
At the core is an outstanding, global training programme and internationally recognised platform that elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers in the industry culminating in an annual luxury landmark week where the Diageo Reserve World Class™ Bartender of the Year is announced. Launched in 2009, over 20,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using the finest spirits in the Diageo Reserve collection.
A partnership and collaboration with gurus, media, partners and owners, Diageo Reserve World Class™ is widely recognised as a mark of sophistication and distinction of international fine drinking culture by bartenders and customers alike