News
News
CLASS WEEK (May 4-8): WHAT'S ON?
CLASS Week is our new free-to-access cocktail festival in London for the UK bar industry. The week will see a mix of CLASS-organised events and affiliate industry activations such as talks, masterclasses, tastings and guest shifts.
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25 March, 2026
News
The finalists of the CLASS Bar Awards 2026 are revealed
CLASS is thrilled to announce the finalists of the CLASS Bar Awards 2026, ahead of the ceremony at Battersea Arts Centre in London on May 6th.
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23 March, 2026
News
The best rums from the BBAs 2026
Today we turn our attention to the rum brands that scored best in the Bartenders' Brand Awards 2026.
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20 March, 2026
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Beesou launches Hive Challenge 2026
BEESOU has announced the return of the BEESOU Hive Challenge for 2026, following the first edition in 2024. The competition returns with a format focused on what is shaping bar culture right now: low alcohol innovation, seasonal expression, and a commitment to sustainability. Inspired by the precision of the hive, the Hive Challenge invites bartenders to champion local, seasonal ingredients, celebrating the landscapes that shape flavour while supporting bees, biodiversity, and pollinator-friendly ecosystems.
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26 March, 2026
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Barcelona Cocktail Fest 2026: Futureproof programme revealed
Pop-ups, brand partners, seminars and workshops confirmed for Palo Alto, 18–19 April 2026
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26 March, 2026
News
The BBAs - how it works
Hamish Smith explains the process and how points are scored in the annual Bartenders’ Brand Awards.
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25 March, 2026
News
World Class GB announces top 50 for 2026
Diageo’s bartending competition, World Class GB, has revealed the top 50 finalists for 2026, with successful applicants chosen from hundreds of entries.
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18 March, 2026
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The Bartenders' Brand Awards 2026 results go live
The results of the Bartenders' Brand Awards 2026 - CLASS magazine's bar product competition, which is judged by bartenders for bartenders - are now live on the Awards' dedicated website.
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09 March, 2026
News
The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge 2026 returns
The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge returns for 2026, promising to set new benchmarks for creativity and innovation.
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10 March, 2026
News
Josh Linfitt becomes new Class Bar Awards Regional Chair
Josh Linfitt has been appointed Class Bar Awards Regional Chair for the West of England and Wales.
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04 March, 2026
News
Sebastiano Cristofanon to leave Nightjar after 10 years
After ten years at Nightjar, five of which were in leadership positions, Sebastiano Cristofanon is to leave the east London cocktail and music bar.
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06 March, 2026
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Emanuele "Lele" Mensah: How to win World Class
CLASS speaks to Emanuele "Lele" Mensah about winning World Class GB 2025 and offers his top tips for this year's competition.
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24 February, 2026
News
Picante to reopen this March
Seasonal cantina, Picante, returns Friday 13th March, bringing a taste of Guadalajara to Liverpool.
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27 February, 2026
News
Laki Kane to relocate to Oxford Street
Hospitality operator The Breakfast Group has announced a new partnership with Laki Kane, which will relaunch in central London, taking over from Burlock Bar on Oxford Street.
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26 February, 2026
News
Callooh Callay Chelsea to close
Callooh Callay has announced it will be closing its Chelsea bar in early March, five years after opening its doors on the King’s Road. A new concept is set to open on the same site in spring 2026.
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25 February, 2026
News
World Hanky Panky Day launches
This March, coinciding with Women’s History Month, global drinks industry community Celebrate Her has teamed up with Asterley Bros English Vermouth and Cygnet Gin to introduce World Hanky Panky Day.
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25 February, 2026
News
OurWhisky Foundation opens applications for 2026 Atonia Programme
Non-profit organisation, the OurWhisky Foundation, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its personal and professional development course for women in whisky, the Atonia Programme.
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19 February, 2026
News
Marcello Toscano to join The Spy Bar
The Spy Bar at Raffles London has announced that Marcello Toscano will be joining the management team alongside Sotiris Konomi and Davide Sinibaldi.
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18 February, 2026
News
Michele Mariotti leaves Gleneagles
Michele Mariotti is stepping down from his position as head of bars at Gleneagles, with today marking his final day at the luxury Scottish hotel.
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16 February, 2026
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Jake Patrick: ruminations on the Old Fashioned
Jake Patrick takes a deep dive into an enduring classic, the elements that drive its success – and the approaches that do it no favours.
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16 February, 2026
News
Tim Etherington-Judge launches sustainability operating system for drinks brands
Tim Etherington-Judge, founder of Healthy Hospo and co-founder of Avallen Spirits, has announced the launch of Alkatera, a digital sustainability tool for the drinks industry.
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13 February, 2026
News
Kirin sells Four Roses to Gallo for $775m
Japanese brewer Kirin Holdings has agreed to sell its Kentucky bourbon brand Four Roses to US-based Gallo Winery for up to $775m.
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13 February, 2026
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Disaronno International UK launches the Pitch It Program
Disaronno International UK (DIUK), home to an iconic portfolio of spirits and a long-standing supporter of the UK’s on-trade industry, has announced the launch of its new trade advocacy initiative – the Pitch It Program - designed to empower bartenders and mixologists to step confidently into the role of industry thought-leaders.
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10 February, 2026
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BEESOU Honey Aperitif celebrates Valentine’s Day with collab cocktails
This Valentine’s Day, BEESOU Honey Aperitif is playing cupid across London’s best cocktail bars, helping first dates turn into lasting memories and old flames spark anew.
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09 February, 2026
News
The opening [of] Gambit - a first look at The Newman hotel's flagship bar
Gambit Bar, a new subterranean cocktail bar beneath The Newman hotel in Fitzrovia, has launched.
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06 February, 2026
News
World Class GB opens for entries
Entries for World Class GB are now live, with a Bartender Toolkit also released to help prospective competitors on their World Class journey.
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02 February, 2026
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Training course for brand ambassadors launches in the UK
The Brand Ambassador Academy (BAA) has launched in the UK – an industry-first programme designed to "create the next generation of commercially trained drinks industry leaders".
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04 February, 2026
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London Cocktail Week to move from October
London Cocktail Week is to move from October to March, its owners have announced.
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02 February, 2026
News
Dram to leave Soho; new location announced
Soho whisky bar Dram is to leave its Soho site this month and relocate to Dalston’s Kingsland Road in May.
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02 February, 2026