World Class Ireland 2025: Week of cocktail experiences takes centre stage
The week of cocktail experiences sees World Class Ireland 2025 take centre stage from April 21 – 28.
This celebration of Ireland’s top bartending talent features exclusive events, bespoke menus, world-class guest appearances, and expertly crafted cocktails at accessible prices.
From April 21 – 27, the World Class Cocktail Festival is transforming up to fifty venues across Ireland into havens of cocktail artistry.
Each participating bar will offer a bespoke world-class menu, meticulously crafted by 2021 Irish bartender of the year, Cal Byrne.
Cal’s inspiration was simple, sharing a World Class experience with everyone, showcasing the quality of the spirits through classic cocktail styles.
Explore participating venues like 9 Below Bar, The Watson Belfast, Cask, Paladar, Lock 13 Brew Pub, 37 Dawson Street, House Dublin, The Hill Pub, Hyde Galway, The Merchant Belfast, The Raven Cork, and Hilliard’s Killarney.
World Class Ireland 2025 will run from 21-28 April as Dublin and Cork prepare to host
Plus, there will be three bartender takeover events in Dublin and Cork – they’re free to attend on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Dublin, 22 April: Experience the award-winning service and innovative flavours of China as Shingo Sasaki, general manager of Shanghai’s The Sober Company (previously ranked among the World’s Top 50 Bars and crowned No. 1 in mainland China), takes over The Sackville Lounge from 8-11pm. It’s your chance to taste the best of China without leaving Dublin.
- Cork, 25 April: Join Shingo Sasaki at Impala from 6-8pm for a special evening of vinyl records and expertly crafted hi-ball cocktails. He’ll be teaming up with luxury spirits ambassador and World Class winner Carl d’Alton to showcase the innovative concepts and Japanese-inspired creativity that have made The Sober Company a global sensation.
- Cork, 27 April: Cask Cork welcomes current global bartender of the year, Keegan McGregor (from Nova Scotia, Canada), alongside current Irish bartender of the year, Emily Doherty (bar manager at The Merchant Cocktail Bar, Belfast). From 7-9pm, this iconic duo will create cocktails, highlighting the skills and serves that crowned them World Class champions, using premium spirits like Tanqueray No.TEN, Ketel One, and Roe & Co. These world-class drinks are just €10.
The Grand Finale: Battle of the Bartenders on Spike Island, Cork
The week culminates on 28 April with the highly anticipated World Class Ireland Final, taking place in Cork. Three finalists – Harry Broadhurst (Cask, Cork), Isadora Petinari (9 Below Bar), and Akram Bendjeddou (Paladar, Cork) – compete in the ultimate test of bartending skill: the Don Julio Pop-Up Challenge on Spike Island.
Each finalist will design and run their pop-up bar, crafting a signature Don Julio menu (plus a Tanqueray 0.0 option) and showcase their talent to over 120 guests.
From menu creation to world-class service, they’ll be judged on every aspect of their craft.
Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to experience all three pop-up bars and sample the innovative cocktails.
The winner of World Class Ireland 2025 will then represent Ireland at the global finals in Toronto, Canada, this September.
