At Toronto’s Casa Loma, the World Class Finals for 2025 closed in high style with a celebratory after party where gimlets, palomas, and nitro espresso martinis (and more) and Canadian snacks like mini poutine flowed through the room of over 50 World Class national champions. Moments before the after party kicked off, the guest list of bartenders and key industry figures raised a glass in the royal gardens as Diageo announced that its 2026 competition will be held in Dubai.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma
Dubai’s bar scene has become a unique cocktail tourism destination of its own, with speakeasy-style lounges tucked into luxury hotels, futuristic rooftops overlooking the Gulf, and a new wave of Middle Eastern spices and flavours entering its world class drinks. Plus, it’s home turf for two-time World Class UAE Bartender of the Year Claudiu Mnerau, who has had a big hand in putting Dubai on the mixology map.
Claudiu Mnerau (UAE)
Claudiu Mnerau (UAE)
With the location set, the countdown begins. The over 50 bartenders from this year’s finals will head back to their stomping grounds and start the process from the top, taking in what they’ve learned, honing their craft, competing in national challenges again, and spending months reimagining cocktails that might impress on Dubai’s global stage.
For this year’s champion, Felice Capasso from Norway, the year ahead looks different. On top of his trophy, his prize includes expert mentorship and an all-inclusive trip to next year’s events, where he’ll witness the next generation experiment with unseen flavours, unheard of techniques, and unthinkable creativity—and he’ll likely host talks and masterclasses of his own. Following the hundreds of stirred and strained drinks—and endless cheers for rattling shakers—he’ll be the one to pass the torch to the next World Class Global Bartender of the Year.
Congratulations, Felice Capasso!
Congratulations, Felice Capasso!
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