The IBG Flair Challenge 2026 in Mumbai brought together some of the country’s most skilled bartenders, turning competitive mixology into a high-energy live performance during the World of Hospitality Expo (WOHxpo) at the Bombay Exhibition Centre. Organized by the India Bartender Guild (IBG), the event reflected the growing momentum behind flair bartending as both a performance art and a professional discipline within India’s evolving bar scene.
Participants delivered choreographed routines that blended technical precision, creativity, and crowd engagement while preparing cocktails under strict judging criteria. Each performance was evaluated on difficulty of flair moves, execution, originality, cocktail quality, and stage presence, reinforcing a competitive format aligned with international standards.
Rohan Joshi claimed first place with a visually commanding routine that impressed both judges and spectators, followed by Ravi Varma as first runner-up and Nigam Batra in third position. According to Archit Singhal, President of IBG and a member of the judging panel, the competition represents a broader effort to elevate standards and build a pathway for Indian bartenders to compete confidently on global stages.
The Mumbai winner will now be considered for national IBG selections, where top performers may earn opportunities to represent India in regional and international competitions. With structured programs, industry collaborations, and participation in major hospitality expos, IBG continues to position the country as an emerging force within the global flair circuit.
As competitive bartending gains traction across Asia, events like the IBG Flair Challenge signal a shift toward greater professional recognition for bartenders — not only as service professionals but as performers, educators, and ambassadors of modern cocktail culture.
