This week sees the World Class Cocktail Festival transforming up to fifty venues across Ireland into havens of cocktail artistry.
Prepare for a week of unparalleled cocktail experiences as World Class Ireland 2025 takes centre stage from April 21st to 28th in a celebration of Ireland’s top bar-tending talent. The buzzy event features a series of exclusive events, bespoke menus, world-class guest appearances, and expertly crafted cocktails at accessible prices.
With up to fifty venues across the country transformed into havens of cocktail artistry, The World Class Cocktail Festival features such iconic Dublin spots as 37 Dawson Street, House Dublin, and The Hill in Ranelagh.
Each participating bar will offer a bespoke World Class menu, meticulously crafted by 2021 Irish Bartender of the Year, Cal Byrne. His inspiration was simple: to share the World Class experience with everyone, showcasing the quality of the spirits through classic cocktail styles.
Tuesday April 22nd offers a chance to experience the award-winning service and innovative flavours of China as Shingo Sasaki, General Manager of Shanghai’s The Sober Company takes over The Sackville Lounge from 8-11pm, promising visitors a chance to taste the best of China without leaving Dublin.
The week culminates with the highly anticipated World Class Ireland Final in Cork on April 28th, featuring three talented finalists as Isadora Petinari of Dublin’s 9 Below Bar takes on Harry Broadhurst of Cask in Cork and Akram Bendjeddou of Paladar, also in Cork, in the ultimate test of bartending skill: the Don Julio Pop-Up Challenge on Spike Island.
Each finalist will design and run their own unique pop-up bar, crafting a signature Don Julio menu (plus a Tanqueray 0.0 option). They’ll be judged on every aspect of their craft, from menu creation to world-class service, with the winner of World Class Ireland 2025 going on to represent Ireland at the global finals in Toronto, Canada, this September.
