Every year, the very best of the bartending world descend on World Class – a global cocktail competition hosted by Diageo where only the elite compete. Its 15th edition took place over a week in Shanghai, where 44 global finalists – each a country champion in their own right – duked it out to be named the World Class Global Bartender of the Year.
The competitors shook, stirred and garnished their way through a series of challenges, where they had to create cocktails with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Tanqueray No. Ten, Ketel One Vodka and Don Julio Blanco. But beyond making cocktails – under strict time pressure, we'd add – the challenges tested the wits and skill of the bartenders to incorporate future technologies like VR, showcase local ingredients and highlight sustainable practices.
They were judged by industry legends including Agostino Perrone, Director of Mixology of Connaught Bar and Julie Reiner from New York's Milady's and Clover Club. Asia was also well represented on the judging panel, with 2019 World Class winner Bannie Kang of Side Door and Shelley Tai of Nutmeg Collective lending their expertise.
This year, Southeast Asia was represented by four talents from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, each bringing their own flair to the competition. And while Canada’s Keegan McGregor from Highwayman Bar ultimately took home the coveted World Class Bartender of the Year title, the four Southeast Asian bartenders did the region extremely proud, with Indonesia’s Aris Sanjaya claiming an impressive second place, just less than a point behind the winner.
World Class has long been known to launch careers so we expect great things from these winners. Here's more about these four up-and-coming bartenders from Southeast Asia you should definitely keep an eye on.
Indonesia: Aris Sanjaya
Where to find him: Syrco Basè Bali
If you think Bali’s bar scene is all about beach clubs and Bintang, you haven’t met Aris Sanjaya. This master mixologist and World Class runner-up is rewriting the island’s drink script from his base in Ubud, Bali where he works alongside chef Syrco Bakker, who used to helm two-Michelin-starred Pure C in Cadzand, Netherlands.
Aris doesn't just serve cocktails, he tells stories – each steeped in local flavour that evokes the very essence of Indonesia. Aris' journey from convenience store shopkeeper to one of the world's top bartenders is nothing short of remarkable. He moved to Bali and worked with bartending greats like Dre Masso and Kamil Foltan before further honing his culinary skills at Bikini Bali. He then moved to Penang for a stint at Rokafella Bar before coming back to Bali to oversee the beverage programme at Syrco Basè.
At World Class, Aris didn’t just compete – he dominated, walking away with the People’s Choice Award and the Future Stride by Johnnie Walker Blue Label. "I've always wanted to showcase that Indonesian bartenders can reach the global stage," he says. "It has been an incredible experience to compete among the best bartenders from around the world and to highlight indigenous ingredients and Indonesian culture."
Aris' undeniable love for local traditions and produce set him apart from the other competitors. From his attire and glassware to his ingredients and flavours, every aspect of his competition presentation was meticulously thought through and unapologetically Indonesian. "My goal is to inspire the younger generation to keep moving forward and be more confident in representing our culture as Indonesians," he states. "It has always been my dream to open my own bar, focusing on indigenous practices and bringing Indonesian cocktail culture to the world stage."
Want a taste of Bali’s rising cocktail scene? Hit up Aris' recommendations: Kawi Ubud, Segno Bali, and Club Soda Canggu.
Vietnam: Uyen Ngo Kim
Where to find her: Nê Cocktail Bar, Hanoi
From the busy streets of Hanoi to the sleek competition floor in Shanghai, Kim has no trouble staying cool, calm and collected. Her bartending journey started when she was 18 years old, when she decided to take an alternative path instead of going to university. She moved to Hanoi to study to become a barista but the draw of the bar was too strong and she hasn't looked back since.
Today, Kim manages Nê Cocktail Bar, where she crafts drinks that tell the story of Vietnam. Her cocktails blend local ingredients with age-old techniques, each a homage to her culture. She showcased this on the World Class stage at the Ketel One's Garnished for Good challenge with her cocktail Pitch In – a twist on a dirty martini made with local mac mat pickle and homemade wine that reflected the four seasons of northern Vietnam.
"World Class is not just a competition," she says. "It helps me learn more knowledge to build the industry in [Hanoi] and share our cocktail culture with international friends. I plan to continue to develop, innovate and bring our local ingredients and cocktail culture further."
She also shares that while there are not as many cocktail bars in Hanoi compared to other major cities, there are enough different concepts for people to choose from and have various experiences. So if you're looking for a drink that captures the spirit of Hanoi, Kim's favourites include Use Bar, The Haflington and The Old Well Cocktail Bar.
The Philippines: Kiko Victor
Where to find him: The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, Manila
Kiko's bartending journey started behind the coffee counter at The Curator, a Makati hotspot that's long been celebrated as one of the best bars in Asia. "I started without an inkling of how to make drinks," he recalls. "But my bosses and colleagues told me that I should try making cocktails. I fell in love with it almost instantly."
Admittedly young and new to his bartending journey, Kiko still clinched the championship title for the Philippines, proving that sometimes all it takes is a nudge in the right direction by mentors who believe in you. His drinks reflect his personality – earnest, unpretentious and full of heart. In the Don Julio Hai-Pai challenge, he crafted two cocktails that were love letters to his grandparents inspired by Filipino desserts he used to share with them.
"[Manila's] cocktail scene is blooming," beams Kiko. "Hospitality has always been our biggest weapon and it shows in every bar I go to. That sense of familiarity and camaraderie always emanates through each of us." For a taste of Manila's unparalleled hospitality, Kiko recommends Fat Cat PH, a jazz bar in Makati; Oto for vinyl lovers; and The Grasshopper Bar where the atmosphere is "laidback but fun and I love how they showcase local Filipino ingredients".
Thailand: Tanat Suttirak (Kem)
Where to find him: Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, Bangkok
Kem's path to bartending started in the kitchen, where he was a chef in Chiang Mai before he traded his chef's knife for a jigger. This year has been a big one for him – not only did he move to Bangkok to join Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, one of the city's buzziest openings of 2024, but he also won Thailand's World Class nationals.
The road to winning has been a long one for Kem. He first competed in World Class in 2019 and was second runner-up in 2022 before he finally snagged the coveted championship. "The reason I decided to compete in World Class was simply to measure my abilities," he confides. "But I met new friends, exchanged knowledge and learned new techniques to apply – this inspired me to continue competing every year."
In Shanghai, Kem proved his mettle and won the Industry Legends by Tanqueray No. Ten challenge where he was tasked to create three cocktails inspired by the past, present and future. He also earned a spot in the top three for the Ketel One Vodka challenge, where his inventive approach impressed the judges.
Now that he's back in Bangkok, his mission is to use the knowledge and skills he's acquired to advance the bar community in Thailand. "The bar scene in Thailand is truly remarkable," he states confidently. "We have many new bars, each presenting innovative concepts. This leads me to believe that in the future, we will see Thailand's bar industry play an increasingly significant role in Asia." His top spots? Funkytown for "good food, good drinks and good vibes"; Lime by Us for "innovation and tropical ingredients"; and Last Call Bar BKK for "maybe the best classic cocktails in the world".