The first-ever India Bartender Week (IBW), held in conjunction with Hanna Lee Communications’ Worldwide Bartender Week in February, has officially set a new standard for India’s bar industry.

Over seven days, bartenders, bar owners, beverage innovators and industry leaders came together to celebrate creativity, knowledge-sharing, and the power of community.

Culminating in the spectacular India Bar Summit at Le Méridien Gurugram on February 26-27, IBW focused on pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to be a bartender in India.

The debut of IBW officially began with a pre-shift at The Library Bar, The Leela Palace, New Delhi. It was held in conjunction with Hanna Lee Communications’ Worldwide Bartender Week, positioning India’s vibrant bartending community on a global stage.

Over the course of the week-long celebration, IBW featured an array of events including the kick-off with pre-shift toast for industry, media and enthusiasts across 60 top bars in the National Capital Region.

The India Bar Summit hosted thought-provoking panels, immersive workshops, and hands-on masterclasses led by some of the most influential names in the global and Indian bar community.

At the pre-shift, the panel discussion on ‘Hotel Bars: Future Gazing’ featured Atul Tiwari (Leela Palace, New Delhi), Srishti Sethia (Taj Palace), Akanksha Lamba (Postcard Hotels) and Akshay Tripathi (Naar).

The India Bar Summit wasn’t just about drinks; it was about changing the conversation. The four programming tracks showcased insightful discussions, hands-on skill-building, and more.

• Main Stage: Industry heavyweights took centre stage for deep dives into the craft. Highlights included ‘Classics Forever’ by Yangdup Lama and Arijit Bose, and ‘Climb the Mountain: How I Reopened Kwãnt Mayfair 2.0’ by Erik Lorincz.
• Workshops: Attendees got their hands dirty, mastering everything from ‘Idea of Savory Project’ by Ajit Gurung and ‘Flavour Alchemy: Extraction, Preservation and Innovation’ by Harinath Shanker, Aaashi Bhatnagar and Jishnu AJ had the audience buzzing.
• Future Room: This was the space where the industry dared to dream. Sessions like ‘Exploring Fermentation: The Magic Behind Unique Cocktail Ingredients’ by Payal Shah and Neil Alexander; ‘Farm to Glass’ by Achintya Anand, Akshay Tripathi, Fay Barretto and Chef Hanisha offered a glimpse into what’s next. ‘Global Perspectives in Cocktail Craft’ by Rojita Tiwari, Pankaj Balachandran, Avinash Kapoli and Lam Chi Mun also revealed new perspectives.
• Baithak: IBW took a step towards greater inclusivity with Baithak, the first-ever Hindi-language programming space in an Indian bar industry event. Conversations like ‘Heat & Harmony: The Story of Leela’ by Sia Negi and Rajiv Mukherjee; and ‘Asian Cocktail Culture’ by Lam Chi Mun and Yangdup Lama a deep dive into the industry, made it clear: language should never be a barrier in this industry.

The Handshake Grant, IBW’s initiative to provide access to bartenders across India, saw more than 200 applications from 15 cities and Goa, ensuring that talent from beyond metro cities had a seat at the table.

With an overwhelmingly positive response, IBW has laid a solid foundation for the years to come. The event has not only amplified India’s growing cocktail culture but also created new opportunities for bartenders to innovate, collaborate, and thrive on both national and international levels.

The impact of IBW 2025 will be felt far beyond the week. With an unstoppable wave of enthusiasm, collaboration and innovation, IBW is on its way to becoming India’s defining platform for bartenders.

As IBW continues to evolve, the focus remains on expanding educational initiatives, fostering inclusivity, and positioning India as a major player in the global mixology scene.

The Co-founders of IBW are Minakshi Singh, Yangdup Lama and Vikram Achanta. Log on to https://indiabartenderweek.in for more information.