Kathmandu, February 1
Diageo India has expanded its flagship bartending platform, World Class, across South Asia, bringing India, Nepal and Sri Lanka together under a single regional framework for the first time in the programme’s 12-year history.
According to a press statement released by Diageo India, World Class is a long-term talent and ecosystem initiative designed to support bartending as a professional career through structured competition, education and mentorship. What began as a competition has evolved into a career-building platform aimed at raising industry standards and strengthening bar communities across the region.
Under the multi-stage format, bartenders enter through an open call and online submissions, with selected participants progressing through regional finals to national and global stages. Regional finals for the 2026 edition will be held in cities including Kathmandu on February 6, alongside events in India and Sri Lanka. The national finals are scheduled for March 2026, with the global finals set for September.
Organisers said the latest edition has recorded the highest participation from women bartenders to date, as well as increased representation from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting the expanding reach of cocktail culture beyond major metropolitan centres.
It added that education remains central to the programme, with workshops, hands-on training and mentorship led by past winners and industry experts. The initiative aims to position bartending as a sustainable long-term profession, while also connecting bartenders with consumers through festivals, pop-ups and curated bar experiences.
