The Diageo World Class GB Final is taking place at the London hotspot
When it comes to bartending, accolades don’t come much bigger than the Diageo World Class title. The cocktail competition runs across more than 60 countries, with the top bartending talent from all corners of the globe coming together for a Global Final where the World Class Bartender of the Year is crowned. Since it launched in 2009, over 400,000 bartenders from around the world have received support and training, with thousands more guests discovering the very best cocktails and bars in the biz. It really is the biggest deal in bartending and it’s back for 2026.
Ten bartenders from across Great Britain, from iconic hotels to independent bars up and down the land, have been selected by industry experts to compete in the World Class GB Final at The Ned in London for the chance to represent Great Britain at the World Class Global Finals in Scotland. They are:
Alex Goacher, Head Bartender at Sister Ray in Liverpool
Carrie Smith, Bartender at Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Chelsie Bailey, Head of Drinks Development at Stonegate
David Alexander Riera, Bartender at The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz London
Laurie Howells, Bartender at Archive & Myth in London
Luke O’Toole, Bartender at Lyaness in London
Matt Arnold, Co-Founder of Passing Fancies in Birmingham
Oscar Perry, General Manager of Murder Inc. in London
Rory Sorrell, Bartender at The Royal Cocktail Exchange in London
Yen-Cheng Chen, Bartender at Tayēr + Elementary in London
The World Class GB Final at The Ned runs across 1st – 3rd June, and will see the ten finalists properly put through their paces. They’ll undertake a series of challenges that’ll test everything from their technical precision to the depth of their drinks knowledge to their performance under pressure.
On the evening of the final day, the winner will be announced and will go on to compete against other national champions for the title of World Class Bartender of the Year at the World Class Global Finals.
All that competition is thirsty work, so last year’s World Class GB Bartender of the Year Emanuele ‘Lele’ Mensah has created seven exclusive cocktails to be served at The Ned during the World Class Cocktail Festival. This is running from 27th May – 7th June, so if you’re heading down to The Ned for the fest, swing by the Nickel Bar, Millie’s, Kaia, Cecconi’s and Electric Bar & Diner (plus members’ spaces the Library, the Vault and the Rooftop) to grab yours. CHEERS!
Key Information
Dates | World Class Cocktail Festival, Weds 27th May – Sun 7th June 2026
World Class GB Final Competition, Mon 1st – Weds 3rd June 2026
Address | 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
For more information | thened.com
