~Following 350+ entries across 7 cities, 160 top bartenders compete to bring regional flavours and stories to the national stage~

Mumbai: Following a highly successful debut that united India’s most promising mixologists, Bar Maestro has now advanced to Round 2. The seven-city bartending challenge is hosted by ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the luxury and super-premium spirits arm of Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited (ABD) in partnership with the Tulleeho Beverage Academy. The opening round attracted over 350 entries from across the country, while conversations around the competition resonated widely on social media, with more than 7.6 million views on Instagram; underscoring the excitement surrounding India’s emerging cocktail talent.

At the core of the opening round was a challenge rooted in creativity: to craft an original highball cocktail using WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Whisky. What emerged was a beautiful tribute to India’s diverse heritage, as bartenders looked inward to the traditions and landscapes that shaped them. Following a nationwide selection, 160 mixologists are progressing to Round 2, with every shortlisted cocktail standing out for its technical mastery, ingenuity, and cultural storytelling.

Mumbai emerged as a standout market in the competition, delivering entries as diverse and dynamic as the city itself. Local bartenders masterfully elevated regional flavours into modern cocktail culture, whether by honouring Koli traditions with dried bombil, celebrating Maharashtrian roots through clarified Indrayani rice or capturing coastal identity with coconut and kokum. Each creation seamlessly paired technical excellence with cultural storytelling. This brilliant display of ingenuity and technical skill led ABD Maestro to expand the city’s competitive field, doubling Mumbai’s Round 2 shortlist from 20 to 40 bartenders.

Commenting on the response to Bar Maestro and the commencement of Round 2, Bikram Basu, Managing Director, ABD Maestro, said: “The response to ‘Bar Maestro’ is a powerful milestone in the evolution of India’s bartending community. It was fascinating to see participants build narratives around their own local cultures and ingredients. This creative independence is driving a vibrant, new Indian cocktail culture. Through ‘Bar Maestro’, we will champion craftsmanship and innovation.”

Round 2 will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Ami Shroff, Flair Bartender & Mixologist; Arina Suchde, Chef, Mixologist and Sustainable Food Innovator; Rojita Tiwari, Founder of Drinks & Destinations; and Feruzan Bilimoria, Beverage Consultant who will play an integral role in identifying the 4 bartenders from Mumbai who will advance to the national finals. The competition will culminate in a Bar Takeover on 19 August 2026, followed by the Grand Finale on 20 August 2026, where India’s inaugural Bar Maestro champion will be crowned.

Consumers can experience the magic of these cocktails between 27th July 2026 to 3rd August 2026 at the outlets below:

  • South Bombay: Dome, Marine Drive; 8ish and Ziya – Oberoi, Nariman Point; Wink Bar – IHCL, Cuff Parade; Ekaa, Harbour Bar – Taj Palace and Portal in Fort. In Lower Parel, you can check out Tab American, Pings, Yazu, Bombat Cartel, Late Check out and Quorum Club or head to Parel’s Dublin Irish Bar -ITC and Pemit and Co. For those in Worli, you cannot miss the action at Donmai and Slink & Bardot in Worli
  • West and Central Mumbai: Bandra folks – head on down to Copper Chimney, Bandra Born, Punchline, Baang, Adelina, Daily All Day, Irish House and The Nook. The takeover spreads across the suburbs, including The Nines, Juhu; Sweeny, Khar; Laguna, Santacruz; Lumma House, Vile Parle; Woodside Inn and Yazu in Andheri; At Bae, Thane; Mezcalita, Borivali and Terminus, SAZ, and Amazonia all in BKC.