Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026 will bring the global bar and gastronomy community back to Bratislava this May, as the fourth edition of Central Europe’s leading hospitality event takes over the historic Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel from May 4–5. Timed alongside Mirror Cocktail Week, the expo continues to position the Slovak capital as a meeting point for international bartenders, chefs, and hospitality professionals.
Organized by Stanislav Harciník, Peter Marcina, and Adrián Chrzan in collaboration with Mirror Bar — currently ranked among The World’s 50 Best Bars — the event blends education, guest shifts, and global collaborations into an intimate industry-focused experience.
World-Class Bartenders Headline the Program
This year’s lineup features more than 30 acclaimed bars and industry leaders from across Europe and Asia. Among the confirmed guests are Philip Bischoff of BKK Social Club in Bangkok, Hampus Thunholm from Röda Huset in Stockholm, Lukas Kaufmann of 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore, and Minakshi Singh from Sidecar in Delhi. The diverse roster reflects the expo’s mission to connect Central Europe with the broader global bar scene while highlighting emerging trends in cocktail culture.
Alongside guest presentations and live demonstrations, the two-day program will include masterclasses, seminars, and discussions designed to provide both inspiration and practical insight for hospitality professionals.
Mirror Cocktail Week Turns Bratislava Into a Cocktail City
Beyond the main expo days, Bratislava will transform into a city-wide celebration during Mirror Cocktail Week from May 3–7. Mirror Bar will host a series of exclusive guest shifts by internationally recognized bartenders, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience world-class cocktails in an intimate setting.
A central part of the experience is the Market, where premium spirits brands and non-alcoholic producers present tastings that highlight current global trends in flavor, innovation, and sustainability.
Education Expands Through The Cocktail Balance Partnership
One of the most notable additions to the 2026 edition is a new collaboration with The Cocktail Balance, a global educational platform focused on advanced bartending techniques. The partnership introduces a dedicated masterclass room featuring intensive sessions tailored to professionals seeking deeper technical knowledge and creative development.
Designed as a focused learning environment, the program aims to bridge theory and practice through small-group workshops led by respected industry figures.
Gault&Millau Collaboration Elevates the Gastronomy Program
Mirror Hospitality Expo 2026 also expands its culinary offering through a new partnership with the international Gault&Millau guide. The gastronomy section will showcase top chefs and culinary concepts from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, including public tasting dinners paired with wine and cocktails.
Highlights include Roman Kóňa of Mäso od Romana, recognized with the Gault&Millau POP of the Year title, and Lukáš Heuser from Origin restaurant, known both for his Gault&Millau recognition and accolades from The Best Chef Awards.
Bartender’s Choice Awards Launch in Central and Eastern Europe
A major milestone for the regional industry will be the official introduction of the Bartender’s Choice Awards to Central and Eastern Europe. The initiative opens participation to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia, with the inaugural gala scheduled during the expo’s closing ceremony on May 6.
By hosting the launch, Bratislava positions itself as a gateway for international recognition within the growing CEE cocktail scene.
An Intimate Platform for Global Hospitality
Built around four core pillars — Connect, Educate, Taste, and Discover — Mirror Hospitality Expo maintains a limited-capacity format designed to encourage meaningful interaction between speakers, brands, and attendees. As the event continues to grow, it reinforces Bratislava’s role as an emerging hub where global hospitality trends meet regional creativity.
