50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship 2024

After two hugely successful editions, the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship returns in 2024 in partnership with Roku Gin. Open to aspiring bartenders over 21 with less than five years of professional experience, this scholarship offers a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid opportunity to train at three world-leading bars and attend the awards ceremony in Madrid this October.

The winner, revealed at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards ceremony in Madrid on October 22nd, will embark on an educational journey starting at Maybe Sammy in Sydney (No.15 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023). Following this, the winner will experience traditional Japanese-style bartending at Tokyo’s High Five and a contemporary masterclass at Virtù, one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

Applications for this year’s scholarship are NOW OPEN until 12:00 BST on Friday, June 21st, 2024. Apply Here!

Application Requirements:

• General details
• Five keywords describing the essential skills for a modern bartender
• A short written statement (up to 250 words) on how the hospitality industry can create a more sustainable, inclusive, and positive impact
• A short video (up to 60 seconds) sharing ‘Future Positive’ ideas for the bar industry
• Three to five photos of yourself behind the bar or making cocktails

Future Positive Theme The 2024 theme, ‘Future Positive’, encourages bartending practices that positively impact the planet. Applicants are rewarded for low-waste or local ingredient approaches, and for promoting diversity and balance in the workplace.

Selection Process:

1. Round One: Applicants introduce themselves and share their ‘Future Positive’ vision in a short video, and answer questions about their career.
2. Round Two: Shortlisted candidates design a drink inspired by ‘Future Positive’, showcasing one local ingredient and their research, development, and creative process. These are judged by an international panel of experts: Philip Bischoff (BKK Social Club), Claudia Cabrera (Kaito del Valle), and James Bowker (House of Suntory). They will select five candidates for the final interview stage.
3. Round Three: Finalists are interviewed by representatives from 50 Best, Roku Gin, the Sustainable Restaurant Association, and upcoming stage hosts Stefano Catino (Maybe Sammy), Keith Motsi (Virtù), and Hidetsugu Ueno (High Five).

Read about the previous winners, Drew Fleming and Apoorva Kohli, here.

Apply now to seize this incredible opportunity and take your bartending career to the next level!