Felice Capasso of Norway is the Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025.
The name Felice Capasso might not conjure up images of a typical Norwegian, though that’s the flag he carried in this year’s World Class global finals. The newly minted Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year hails from Naples, Italy, and he’s since worked in Australia, the UAE, and the UK. In 2017, he found a new home in Oslo, first at five-star hotel bar The Thief, then at Nedre Løkka Cocktailbar. Now he balances his passion for service with his enthusiasm for education at his WSET-recommended academy Sesto Senso, which he founded in 2022.
By winning I know that I am taking on a responsibility which I plan to take seriously 2025 World Class Global Bartender of the Year Felice Capasso
With his international experience in spirit education, it makes sense that Capasso‘s performance at the finals this year was decidedly world-class. Unflappable, Capasso wowed judges from the outset. During the first challenge, he swapped Johnnie Walker scotch for the usual gin for a gutsy take on a French 75. Later in the week, he drew on Napoli roots for the Singleton sensory challenge, making Irish whisky-based cocktails with Italian ingredients to a vinyl record playing tunes like “That’s Amore.”
During the Top Three challenge he kept his cool under a six-minute test to make a gauntlet of five classic cocktails—plus a wildcard pick of his choosing that would cater to the tastes of World Class judge Eric Van Beek of Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City. After four minutes Capasso joked, “plenty of time,” and playfully squeezed a lemon zest toward the co-host as the clock ran down.
Felice Capasso at work.
Felice Capasso at work.
While every bartender performed exceedingly well, Capasso’s win was decisive. “We have celebrated and nurtured the careers of over 450,000 bartenders through the World Class program,” said World Class Global Head Kevin Delaney. “And tonight is a moment of celebration for this incredibly special community. We welcome Felice into the Diageo family and congratulate the outstanding efforts of all our brilliant participants.”
But for Capasso, winning was about more than just prestige. “By winning I know that I am taking on a responsibility which I plan to take seriously, promoting education in spirits and inspiring other bartenders who want to progress in the industry,” he said in a press release following the win. For the winner, the next round won’t be behind the bar, but shaping the beverage industry for supporting new competitors along the way.
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