Indian bartenders are the new chefs: How bar takeovers, competitions are showcasing their skills

In October at the Pistola Duels II finals in Mumbai talented bartenders from India Thailand and Singapore were tasked with creating a cocktail using agavebased products The competitionmdashwhich kicked off with two social media rounds where contestants were judged on practicality innovation presentation and digital reachmdashsaw nearly 150 participants Eight semifinalists per country advanced to a headtohead duel at their respective bars where they competed to attract consumers to their cocktail creationsThe top four from each country competed in the finale with an impromptu market hunt for ingredients and a quiz on their knowledge of the agave spectrum These exchanges fostered learning collaboration and inspiration from diverse cultural and culinary backgrounds The Loftrsquos Dushyant Tanwarrsquos winning mix was a coffeeinfused Manhattan with citrus notes from oranges and spice route bitters complementing the flavours of Pistola Antildeejo Singaporersquos Wee Siong from Smoke and Mirrorsrsquo winning cocktail was a Pistola Reposado Milk Punch with Indian Malay and Chinese flavours And Thailandrsquos Natkrit Chatsakpairach from Jhol Bangkokrsquos winning drink was a Pistola Reposado cocktail with asparagus kokum Campari coconut water Thai jasmine tea syrup lemon and a bright yuzu curry leaf foamAnand VirmaniThe final round was evaluated by a jury of industry experts including Pankaj Balachandran CoFounder CountertopIndia Shatbhi Basu Founder STIR Bartending Academy Vikram Achanta Founder and CEO Tulleeho and 30BestBarsIndia columnist Smitha Menon and food and travel journalist Aatish Nath The winners won an allinclusive trip to Paris to participate in a guest shift at the Pistola Bar for the prestigious Top 500 Bar Awards ceremony in NovemberPistola Duels is one of the many significant bartender competitions instrumental in shaping the industry in the country and a prime example of how these events foster creativity and skill Kimberly Pereira Chief Operating Officer at Maya Pistola Agavepura which hosted the Pistola Duels cocktail competition highlights the role these events play in raising the profile of bartenders ldquoThe stigma surrounding bartending has significantly diminished with an increasing number of brands and bars supporting these competitionsrdquo says Pereira adding ldquoIn the first year the competition was Indiafocused in year two we expanded to Thailand and Singapore covering three countries and six Indian states Our goal has been to create an inclusive platform for bartenders at all levels to showcase their creativity Based on feedback we received last year we simplified the participation process and extended timelines This yearrsquos grand prizemdasha trip to Paris to attend the 500 Best Bars awardsmdashadded a new layer of aspirational valuerdquoVikram AchantaPereira attributes this surge in interest to several factors including postpandemic travel which has expanded consumer palates and heightened expectations for highquality experiences in even the smallest cities ldquoAdditionally bartenders are now seeking education abroad and returning home with fresh perspectives and techniques that raise the standards of local barsrdquo she adds ldquoBartending competitions play a critical role in providing them a platform to showcase their creativity while offering them opportunities to network and learn from peersmdasheveryone winsrdquoInterestingly Achantarsquos vision to establish an objective platform celebrating Indiarsquos best bars gave rise to the 30BestBarsIndia list in 2019 a ranking that has become a benchmark for excellence in the industry The platform has shed light on established bars and showcased emerging talent driving a surge in bar culture across the country The rankings are determined through an extensive voting process involving an expert jury of 75 members and over 250 jury members nationwide This ensures that the rankings are comprehensive unbiased and reflect the diverse tastes and cultures within the Indian bar sceneKimberly PereiraAchanta recounts how it was born out of a deep desire to offer a space where bar talent could be celebrated and the industry could be assessed based on clear impartial standards ldquoWhen we first launched 30BestBarsIndia the concept was met with excitement and scepticismrdquo Achanta recalls ldquoThe industry although growing was still viewed through a limited lens There was no clear platform to identify and celebrate the rising stars in this field We wanted to change that and create a space that truly reflected the quality of bars and the bartendersrsquo skills With 48 new bars entering the rankings this year alone the rapid development of bars across metro cities and smaller towns is reflective of the industryrsquos dynamic growthAchantarsquos vision has uplifted the industry and inspired other countries to adopt similar platforms cementing Indiarsquos place in the global bar scene He highlights that a barrsquos success lies in creating a cohesive experience ldquoItrsquos about synergy where everythingmdashfrom the design to the drinksmdashcomes together seamlesslyrdquo he says With the rise of craft cocktails and the use of local ingredients bars are no longer places to drinkmdashtheyrsquore spaces for cultural exploration storytelling and toptier hospitality The use of hyperlocal ingredients and collaboration with artisans has deepened the experience offering customers a taste of local culture alongside their cocktailsPankaj Balchandaran CoFounder CountertopIndiaAnother competition pushing the boundaries of bartending is Bar Wars In 2024 the competition took place in nine citiesmdashPune Mumbai Hyderabad Kolkata Bengaluru Delhi Jaipur and Gurgaon with grand the finale in Goa The competition celebrates bar teams with a unique consumerdriven judging process focusing on bartenders and servers Bars submit 60second Instagram videos from which the top 90 bartenderserver duos are selected In each city qualifier teams compete in a 75minute challenge to deliver the best service and sell the most cocktails Winners took home R2 lakh and an international bar takeover in DubaiEvents such as Diageo World Class India and the Indian Bartender Championship have become pivotal milestones These competitions too allow bartenders to gain recognition expand their networks and engage with global peers More than just contests these events create a sense of community fostering collaboration among bartenders who have often worked in isolationAnand Virmani Cofounder NAO Spirits creators of Greater Than and Hapusa gins reflects on how far the industry has come When he started in 2010 bartenders often worked in isolation lacking community and connecting opportunities Today the scene is entirely different Bartenders actively network visit each otherrsquos bars and share knowledge freelyldquoItrsquos no longer just about making drinks itrsquos about creating connections and learning from each otherrdquo says Virmani adding ldquoThis collaborative spirit has helped bartenders grow and elevated the industry as a whole Indiarsquos bartending culture has evolved alongside global trends with consumers embracing everything from craft beers and artisanal spirits to creative cocktails and mocktails This shift in consumer tastes is primarily attributed to bartenders gaining the recognition they deserve and has sparked a cultural shift in the industryrdquoOnce seen simply as service providers bartenders are now celebrated as creators innovators and cultural ambassadors This change is evident in both their increasing salaries and the respect they command A decade ago bartenders earned between Rs 15000 and Rs 20000 per month Today toptier bartenders and consultants can earn over Rs 1 lakh with industry leaders commanding even higher feesrdquo says Virmani ldquoAs the profession matures bartenders are gaining both professional recognition and financial rewards that reflect their expertise Bartenders are now seen as skilled artisansmdashmuch like chefsmdashand the industry has noticedrdquoVirmani also shares the rise of bartenderentrepreneurs as another breakthrough ldquoBars like Outrigger Soka and Sidecar in Goa have been established by bartenders who are deeply invested in their craft signalling a shift towards ownership and creative control he adds Earlier this year Yangdup Lama of Sidecar Delhi was awarded the prestigious Roku Industry Icon Award at Asiarsquos 50 Best Bars 2024 becoming the first Indian to receive this honour This international recognition acknowledges his exceptional craft and his significant contribution to the global cocktail industryMentorship is increasingly being recognised as a critical element in the growth of bartenders in India Balachandran emphasises the importance of competitions and events in helping bartenders stand out in a field thatrsquos often overlooked They inspire creativity encourage innovation and help bartenders develop their unique style and offer a chance to connect with peers worldwide raising the industryrsquos standards and providing opportunities to learn new techniques and trends He stresses that a mentor is invaluable in challenging guiding and inspiring bartenders ldquoWithout mentorship even the most talented bartenders risk stagnationrdquo he explains In a field driven by creativity and innovation having someone to push you is essential for continuous growthSome venues in India like Sidecar Soka and Outrigger have embraced structured mentorship programmes where experienced bartenders guide newcomers ensuring that they not only master cocktail recipes but also learn the art of hospitality and storytelling that makes a great bartender This mentorship culture is helping to build a more collaborative industry where both veterans and newcomers can thriveEven brands play an important role in offering training and mentorships For instance since 2009 Diageo has empowered and inspired over four lakh bartenders globally through its World Class platform which offers training and mentorship that elevates the craft and fosters innovation This initiative has played a pivotal role in shaping the fine drinking experience much like fine dining It continues to influence the future of cocktails through new possibilities Pernod Ricardrsquos initiative The Bar World of Tomorrow BWOT programme has now trained over 6400 bartendersB esides competitions bar takeoversmdashevents where a bartender temporarily takes over another barrsquos operationsmdashare another exciting development in the industry These enable bartenders to work out of their comfort zone experiment with new ideas and present fresh concepts to customers keeping the bar scene dynamic and innovative by connecting global and local bar cultures enhancing Indiarsquos nightlife scene with worldclass experiencesA few interesting ones in recent memory were Little Red Door a Parisbased cocktail bar ranked among the worldrsquos top 50 It brought its signature cocktails to PCO in New Delhi in March offering patrons a taste of Parisian mixology Meanwhile Tell Camellia from Hong Kong captivated Mumbairsquos crowd at Social Colaba with unique teabased cocktails blending global creativity with local flavours In Goa Bar Tesouro ranked in Asiarsquos Top 50 Bars hosted international guest shifts showcasing creative concoctions like Midnight Brekkie highlighting Goarsquos rising prominence on the global mixology sceneAs Indiarsquos bar scene evolves the future looks promising for creativity and craftsmanship This shift toward viewing bartenders as respected artisans similar to chefs is an exciting milestone However the journey is still ongoing The industry must continue to focus on improving formal education raising standards and reshaping consumer perceptions The profession is poised for continued growth with the rise of bartender entrepreneurs competitions and mentorship opportunities The future promises a time when bartenders are celebrated for their innovation and skill not just their ability to mix drinks Virmani says ldquoBartending is no longer just a jobmdashitrsquos a respected profession The recognition wersquore seeing today is just the beginningrdquoCrafting Creativity Under PressureFor bartenders like Natkrit Chatsakpairach from Jhol Thailand pressure in competitions is not something to fear but an opportunity for growth ldquoI focus on the purpose behind my craft reminding myself who Irsquom doing this forrdquo he shares Similarly Dushyant Tanwar from The Loft in India believes confidence is key to thriving under pressure ldquoWhen you manage the pressure you come out on toprdquo he saysWee Siong from Smoke amp Mirrors Singapore sees pressure as a catalyst for innovation pushing bartenders to think more creatively and explore new techniques Whether discovering new ingredients or experimenting with unique flavour combinations these competitions allow bartenders to step outside their comfort zones and redefine the boundaries of mixologyBar competions to look out for in 2025ProWine MumbaiTASK To craft creative fresh and oneofakind agave based cocktailsPRIZE Cash prize ProWine certification a chance for a bar takeover at a leading international barMonin Cup IndiaTASK To craft innovative drinks and elevate their beverage creations into the realm of storytellingPRIZE An allexpense paid trip to France for MONIN Cup FinalsThe Happy Highrsquos Young Bartender ChallengeTASK Young students must showcase their themed cocktails to the jury over two roundsPRIZE Cash prize of R15000 for gold medal winner among othersCampari Red Hand AsiaTASK To create original cocktails that contain a minimum of three centiliters of CampariPRIZE Cash prize and an allexpensepaid trip to compete for the title of Campari Red Hand in London