PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Skilled bartenders from the finest bars and hotels across the country are invited to participate in an engaging live competition at the bar, showcasing their expertise and flair. This event will evaluate their creativity, efficiency, flavour craftsmanship and ability to maintain exemplary hospitality even under pressure.

ENTRY

There is no cost involved to participate in this event. Follow our Instagram handles for updates on Round 1, which will be conducted online.  Rounds 2 and 3 for finalists will take place on 9^th November at ProWine Mumbai. 

JUDGING

Bartenders will be tasked with presenting a selected cocktail to the judges within a specified time frame. The competition will be assessed by a panel of esteemed professionals and industry experts. Judging criteria will align with the theme set forth by the Judging Panel and ProWine Mumbai.  

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Must be above the legal drinking age to participate.
• If selected, must be able to travel to Mumbai on 9^th November for the finals.
• Must possess a valid passport.
• Must be a resident of India.

THE WINNER

The selection process for recognizing the top bartenders will be based on their adherence to the theme. The winning bartender at ProWine Mumbai will be awarded 'The ProWine Mumbai Bartender of the Year'. Alongside a cash prize, the winner will also receive certification from ProWine Mumbai and an opportunity for a bar takeover at a prominent international establishment. 

Additionally, the winner will be interviewed by ProWine Mumbai media, provided with photo opportunities, and prominently featured on the show floor. In addition to social media coverage, their achievement will be highlighted in the post-event press release distributed to major publications and media outlets and post-event marketing collateral. 

Fay left backpacking across the world to train under a few of the best mixologists in the world and then came back to India to revolutionize the Indian Bar Culture. Fay has initiated this cross country by Consulting for various bars, Takeovers in India as well as work with various craft beverage portfolios. Fay strives to follow modern bar trends and has undertaken certifications from Simone Carporale Barcelona (TAOS), and Ferderico Pasian (Master Fermenter) to enhance their skills.

Yangdup Lama is a distinguished bar owner, entrepreneur, and author with almost three decades of experience in the bartending industry. Recognized as one of India’s foremost bartenders, he has significantly influenced the country’s cocktail culture through his roles as a trainer, mentor, and ambassador. His impressive accolades include being named “Indian Bartender of the Year” in 1996, winning the Asia Pacific 30 Under 30 Award in 1997, and earning the “Industry Legend” title at India's 30 Best Bars in 2022. In the same year, Travel + Leisure Asia honoured him as the Indian Mixologist of the Year, and he made history as the first Indian to be featured in the Bar World 100 list by Drinks International Magazine UK. Yangdup’s bar, Sidecar, was recognized among the World’s 50 Best Bars since 2021 and has remained amongst India’s and Asia’s best bar since 2019. His impressive accolades include being named “Indian Bartender of the Year” in 1996, winning the Asia Pacific 30 Under 30 Award in 1997, and earning the “Industry Legend” title at India's 30 Best Bars in 2022. In the same year, Travel + Leisure Asia honoured him as the Indian Mixologist of the Year, and he made history as the first Indian to be featured in the Bar World 100 list by Drinks International Magazine UK. Yangdup’s bar, Sidecar, was recognized among the World’s 50 Best Bars since 2021 and has remained amongst India’s and Asia’s best bar since 2019.

"A native of Mumbai, Aditi Dugar began her career in Finance. In 2012, she pivoted to launch Sage and Saffron – the first end-to-end boutique catering company in Mumbai. In 2016, she set out to open Masque, a category-defining, fine-dining and the country’s first tasting menu only restaurant that exclusively heroes Indian produce. Masque is now consistently ranked the best restaurant in the country, appearing on Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure’s inaugural, collaborative list of the World’s Best. It has been ranked Best Restaurant in India at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards for four consecutive years – the first Indian restaurant on the list operated by a woman restaurateur. In May 2024, Masque made its debut on the world stage at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ 2024 long list at #78, climbing up 10 places to finish at #68 in 2025. Dugar also won the Innovation Award at La Liste 2025 – a definitive, international restaurant ranking recognising the 1000 best dining establishments globally. Under the banner of Urban Gourmet India, Dugar also owns and operates the recently launched cocktail bar Paradox, TwentySeven Bakehouse and TwentySeven Pizza & Bakes, all in Mumbai. She was also the advisor to ARAKU Café, a sustainable coffee chain whose board members include Anand Mahindra and Senapathy Gopalakrishnan. Dugar also oversaw the food programming at Seesaw Café, a partnership with Reliance."

"Charlie McCarthy, With a career as a cocktail bartender stretching back to 2004, Charlie’s mission with WSET is to build awareness of, demand for, and access to WSET’s suite of spirits qualifications across the globe. He is also a spirits judge for the IWSC, a proud mentor for the OurWhisky Foundation and a founder member of Bartenders FC London. Charlie joined WSET as Business Development Manager for Spirits in 2019. With a particular expertise in Irish whiskey Charlie is delighted to engage with the bartender community globally to champion WSET spirits qualifications."

"Charlie McCarthy, With a career as a cocktail bartender stretching back to 2004, Charlie’s mission with WSET is to build awareness of, demand for, and access to WSET’s suite of spirits qualifications across the globe. He is also a spirits judge for the IWSC, a proud mentor for the OurWhisky Foundation and a founder member of Bartenders FC London. Charlie joined WSET as Business Development Manager for Spirits in 2019. With a particular expertise in Irish whiskey Charlie is delighted to engage with the bartender community globally to champion WSET spirits qualifications."